Apple jumps into the mobile search business with its acquisition of Siri

Apple is on a shopping spree, scooping up everything from chip manufacturers to personal mobile assistants. Several days ago, an FTC filing revealed that Apple is acquiring Siri, creator of a mobile application that serves as your personal search assistant. Similar to Android’s voice search, Siri allows you to ask it a question like “nearest gas station” and it will provide a personal, localized answer. The key to the service is its voice recognition and its vast array of back-end APIs that include Yahoo Local, Yelp, Flightsats, WeatherBug, and more. No word on what Apple intends to do with this newly acquired property, but the possibility of a personal concierge on an iPhone or iPad is quite appealing.

Read

Tags: Apple, assistant, Concierge, Siri

View Comments

TypicalAppleHatingDBAG

Apple sucks. Steve Jobs sucks. The iphone sucks. Oh and by the way, this is old news, so it also sucks.

bonesb

Geez, get a life.

wanderer

Wow, the Apple empire keeps expanding.

Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

dude

They’re still way behind Google for world domination.

NoHypeHere

Not in my world… MacPro Tower, iMac, Safari, Mail App, iCal, iTunes, iPhoto and iDVD, iWork, MobileMe, iPod, iPhone, Soon to add Tablet 3G. Google’s world domination in my world… the occasional search (for now).

MikeD

This app is amazing. I downloaded it today. Its free in the App store.

What makes it so good is that its way more than just a search. It can do stuff for you. Like place reservations, email reminders, even submit tweets to twitter just by using your voice.

I cannot wait for Apple to integrate this into their devices. this thing is truly sick.

See for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP6dIEb-S7c

this App was inspired by Apple’s 1987 concept video of Knowledge Navigator. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a0t2Eb7YJk

Apple has always been ahead of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised this will be in the iPad and iPhones in the not too distant future.

MikeD

This again is a smart strategy by Apple to cover its back in case Google tries any funny stuff like say cripple their google apps or services for the iPhone. Apple can quickly substitute their solutions in the Google apps place.

Also it may help support their iAds.

Its a smart move. I really like the ‘Siri’ app especially because it seems more intuitive than most search engines but the caveat is that it actually does stuff, making it truly a virtual assistant.

I just did this:

me talking to iPhone: “remind me to check Boy Genius Report comments in a half-hour”

iPhone running Siri: “Please confirm. I’ll send an email.”

next it shows what I said to remind me and below that it has a “Notify me:” area and the “When” field and is already filled. It has the todays date and the time 6:15, which is a half-hour from when I gave the command by voice at 5:45.

Once I tap save its on screen response is “Got it, I’ll send you the reminder in email.”

I don’t give a dam what platform its on that pretty dam useful and cool.

I’ll be back in a half-hour to read the haters rant.
Kelly Demarco

The search engine behind Siri is horrible. Siri and Apple can try to put a preety face on it, but it is still crap.

STFU

Too back APPLE SUCKS!
STFU

Too bad APPLE SUCKS!
RAS

Looks interesting. I just hope they don’t call it “Sherlock 3”.
killbill

comments in this site are not controlled at all, this, for example, is a very low quality one haha :)
Hi-Fi

We’re now even closer to star trek than we think. I’m starting to feel the excitement just like a little kid who is about to open his presents. Woohoo.
Nokia N900

1.Google (Gold) 2.Yahoo (Silver) 3.Bing (Bronze), is there anything after Bronze? Nope…

Cold Dead Fingers

Siri isn’t a search engine, retard.

Holly T

Right, it’s askjeeves with a different name.
Cold Dead Fingers

What does it matter, the point is that it isn’t a search engine.

bob

“Hello I’m Siri your new personal assistant”
Lame.. lame…lame… lame …lame

bob

dumbest thing I’ve heard since HP bought Palm…

Cold Dead Fingers

This application is one of my most favorite applications on the App Store, I got back when it was showed off at Mac World. Great purchase Apple, I can’t wait till you guys start to utilize this. When will we see Apple Seed (search engine)?????
Sky

Welcome to the world of monopoly.
MicroNix

Wow, Apple continues to try to catch up to Android. That’s ok Apple, someone had to show you the way after you left the iPhone OS stale for 2 years.

StevenGlansburg

yeah since no one is buying the iphone anymore…

Holly T

Well Android web usage did pass iPhone’s last month. So people may still be buying iPhone, but not as many who are buying Android devices.
Cold Dead Fingers

If you have to compare ONE phone to an entire line of devices, you have already lost. No one cares if new android phones are finally catching up to the one year old iPhone 3GS. Once the new iPhone is announced at WWDC Apple stock will sky rocket and everyone will be selling their old phones to get ready for the iPhone.

Desmond

No one buying the iPhone? Are you smoking dope? Sold over 8 million this past quarter. 3G almost two years old. 3GS almost one. Some of you guys really need to quit. Come June everything out right now will be old news.

Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Moorestown New Jersey, USA

SorryLarryBird

He was being sarcastic.
Barry

We already saw a breakdown of the new IPhone, why do we have to wait for June to determine the iPhone is losing steam. Unless you consider a front facing camera and round volume buttons a revolution.

Gregg

I sent Siri an email about 6 month ago. First time I tried the app, I asked for directions to Disneyland. It just sat there looking dumb. Then told me Disneyland didn’t exist. One of the biggest landmarks in the US. It was clueless. I just tried it again right now. After getting an email back from siri saying they would fix it. Nothing….dust.
Dara

So it’s like Vertu, except it’s Apple so it’s nerfed.
Patrick Moto Droid

All based out of India. Keep up the good work of outsourcing Apple.I mean if it cant find Disneyland but your dry cleaners? C’mon.
Nate

Simple example:

Brother using his new Siri yesterday on iphone… “Hahaha, i bet Droid can’t do this!… ‘Siri, what is the best burger joint near me?'”

Siri returns a bunch of burger kings and mcdonalds.

Me: “ha, its called google maps.” So I voice search “Best Burger Joints”… it pulls up my brother’s two favorite restaurants in the area.

enough said.

MikeD

Your point?.

You come in here just to that. Clearly Fandroids patrol BGR just to troll
Cold Dead Fingers

Me: “hahahahahahaha it’s called google maps. Every iPhone comes with that, too, dumbass.

Apple jumps into the mobile search business with its acquisition of Siri

Picked For You

Google finally killed one of its messaging apps instead of making a new one

Video: Porsche tries to keep up with a Model S and the result is embarrassing

Starting today, you can finally get an Amazon Fire TV that’s actually a TV