Expect Labs brings its voice-powered predictive API to connected devices

Everyone wants to implement smart voice integration into their devices and apps — but few have the expertise to do so.

Now Expect Labs, a startup that has created some powerful predictive computing technology, is giving developers one way to make that dream come true. The company today is launching a new version of its MindMeld API that lets devs easily implement voice-powered content searching in connected devices.

“AI scientists have been promising this Star Trek future where we can ask our devices and see what we need,” said Expect Labs founder and CEO TIm Tuttle in an interview with VentureBeat. “For the first time, we have the technology to make that possible.”

Expect Labs is demonstrating its technology at our MobileBeat Innovation Showdown today in San Francisco.

After launching the video conference app MindMeld to show off the power of its predictive technology, Expect Labs is now focusing more on upgrading the MindMeld API for developers.

In particular, Tuttle sees the latest API update being very useful for couch potatoes. The company’s technology could end up powering content searching in a Smart TV or set-top box, similar to the voice search on Amazon’s Fire TV. The company also expects voice integration to become increasingly important as we get more connected devices in our homes. Today’s update puts it in a good position to be a key component of the connected home.

Expect Labs currently has “several hundred” companies using its technology in their apps, including some very large ones, Tuttle tells me. International cable provider Liberty Global is one of the first partners of the new API.

The San Francisco-based company has raised around $2.4 million from Google Ventures, Samsung Ventures, Intel Capital, Liberty Global Ventures, and others.