Friday, August 10, 2012

Google launch new voice control app to counter Apple's Siri


Even as the Apple, Google tussle take a more drastic dimension, the later has unveiled an enhanced version of its Voice Search app feature as a direct challenge to rival Apple's inbuilt Siri software. This is also coming on the heels of Apple dropping YouTube from its app list due to expired license and some undisclosed hindrances from Google.
The internet search engine giant hailed the revamped feature as 'an important step to building the search engine of the future' after announcing the update this week. Voice Search will be added to Google's iOS App Store, with iPhone and iPad users able to download the update over the next few days.
The conversational voice search feature, which is linked to Google's knowledge graph, will respond to questions from smartphone users such as 'What movies are playing this weekend?'
Google executive Amit Singhai explained: 'Often the most natural way to ask a question is by asking aloud. 'So we’ve combined our speech recognition expertise, understanding of language and the knowledge graph so that Voice Search can better interpret your questions and sometimes speak the answers back as full sentences.
'You just need to tap the microphone icon and ask your question, the same way you’d ask a friend. 'For example, ask “What movies are playing this weekend?” and you’ll see your words streamed back to you as quickly as you speak.'
He added: 'Then Google will show you a list of the latest movies in theatres near you, with schedules and even trailers. 'It works for everything from celebrity factoids to the height of Kilimanjaro and more. When Google can supply a direct answer to your question, you’ll get a spoken response too. 'These are baby steps, but important ones on our way to building the search engine of the future - one that is much more intelligent and useful than it was just a few years ago. 'It’s a very exciting time to be working in this field.'
Siri, originally introduced through the App Store to become an integral part of Apple's iOS after being exclusively built into the iPhone 4S in 2011, is an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator which works as an application for Apple's iOS. The application uses a natural language user interface to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of Web services. Apple claims that the software adapts to the user's individual preferences over time and personalizes results, and performing tasks such as finding recommendations for nearby restaurants, or getting directions.
Siri was originally introduced as an iOS application available in the App Store by Siri, Inc., which was acquired by Apple on April 28, 2010.[3] Siri, Inc. had announced that their software would be available for BlackBerry and for Android-powered phones, but all development efforts for non-Apple platforms were cancelled after the acquisition by Apple.
After launching its Chrome web browser for iOS last month, Google's updated Voice Search feature provides another challenge for Apple on its own doorstep. Apple has seemingly responded to Google's continued encroachment by removing Google's YouTube app from the beta version of its new iOS6.
The move will follow on from the lack of Google Maps being featured, as Apple look to use own-brand services on their products, set to start with the new iPhone (which will be announced at a conference on 12 September before a potential release date later in the month.
While Apple will retain their obvious ambitions to become a presence in more digital markets, will the lack of a link to high-profile video clips hamper sales of their future devices? Only time will tell.

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