Forbes: Siri is a Google Killer

[runawayprisoner]

Is Siri a search engine at all?

I thought it was just a front end for accessing existing ones?

To me, it's an interface, not a search engine. I think of it like a touchscreen, keyboard, or mouse...

 

[WelshBloke]

To me, it's an interface, not a search engine. I think of it like a touchscreen, keyboard, or mouse...

Thats what I thought but I wanted to check with you lot.

I'm not seeing how it can be classed as a Google killer as it seems to be another way of accessing their services. Obviously Apple could not use Googles search engine but that would seem a bit self defeating and would probably piss a few iPhone users off if they had to rely more on Bing.

 

[JS80]

 

[WelshBloke]

Less about your private life and more about how Siri works please.

 

[Patranus]

Wonder what Forbs has to say about Apple's acquisition of C3's mapping tech.

vs

 

[Mopetar]

I still have yet to see someone in public talking to their phone. So yes, I do think it is being made into more than it is. . .

Unless you were close enough to hear what they were saying, how would you know whether or not they're using Siri or making a regular phone call, or even using Siri to make a regular phone call? :hmm:

 

[WelshBloke]

Unless you were close enough to hear what they were saying, how would you know whether or not they're using Siri or making a regular phone call, or even using Siri to make a regular phone call? :hmm:

People using Siri tend to stare at the screen when talking to it?

At least everyone I've seen using it.

 

[SlitheryDee]

People using Siri tend to stare at the screen when talking to it?

At least everyone I've seen using it.

Well were still in the "I wonder if its really going to do what I want it to do" phase. If it gets good enough for people to nonchalantly rattle off orders without even looking, Apple will have done something.

 

[WelshBloke]

Well were still in the "I wonder if its really going to do what I want it to do" phase. If it gets good enough for people to nonchalantly rattle off orders without even looking, Apple will have done something.

Absolutely, I was just answering (somewhat facetiously) his question.

I can see Siri working for a few groups of people. People driving, people giving simple commands to control their music and total tossers who will bark out loud instructions on public transport.

 

[zinfamous]

I think that Apple is developing and adding to their own Siri database if I'm not mistaken, but it does depend on other searches and portals--google, wolfram alpha, Yelp, et al depending on how you ask the question, or the type of question that it addresses.

As far as I know, Apple will continue to increase the Siri database as well as improve on response and interpretation--I seem to remember reading that the intent is to develop it to the point where it does not depend on external internet-based searches, as it does now.

Comparing it to what Vlingo or other Android voice services do is a bit silly. Though, it can certainly be argued that the canned voice response from Siri is simply "ear candy" on top of similar functionality for, I don't know, 60% of its activity, Siri does provide a more increased level of usability than what Google currently offers.

Simply asking it about your schedule or somewhat vague questions like "what is it like outside?" and having it respond directly, with good detail, is quite impressive.

It seems to me that they are aiming for the Watson concept from IBM--advanced query interpretation with uncanny problem-solving capabilities. Granted, the device itself could never have that kind of necessary hardware (not in this decade, anyway), but perhaps Apple could utilize some serious cloud processing to ramp up Siri's functionality?

It's speculation from my part based on nothing, and perhaps a profound misunderstanding of what it can do--but the potential seems quite profound.

 

[WelshBloke]

I think that Apple is developing and adding to their own Siri database if I'm not mistaken, but it does depend on other searches and portals--google, wolfram alpha, Yelp, et al depending on how you ask the question, or the type of question that it addresses.

As far as I know, Apple will continue to increase the Siri database as well as improve on response and interpretation--I seem to remember reading that the intent is to develop it to the point where it does not depend on external internet-based searches, as it does now.


...

Isn't Apples database more used to work out what the question is rather than what the answer is?

 

[Mopetar]

People using Siri tend to stare at the screen when talking to it?

At least everyone I've seen using it.

I read one review that said that you could use it while putting the phone to your ear specifically so that you didn't need to look like an idiot while walking around in public. I imagine it also makes it easier to get a good sample of your voice and to separate out the crowd noise by using it that way.

That said, until it has an API open to developers, I think its use will be pretty limited. Given that the service has been somewhat flaky since the launch, Apple needs to get server load issues sorted out before opening it up for developer use.

 

[zinfamous]

Isn't Apples database more used to work out what the question is rather than what the answer is?

I believe so--but I am under the impression that they desire to move the entire database to an internal source, such that all processing--query & reply--are offline; much like the Watson model.


I could be wrong, though.