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First Apple upped its game in the voice assistant race with new Siri in iOS 6, now Google’s come in and raised the bar yet again with Jelly Bean. Android 4.1′s new default Voice Search is lightning quick; incredibly powerful, and even sounds less like an automaton than Siri.
TechnoBuffalo did a head-to-head between Siri on the new iOS 6 beta and Android’s brand new Voice Search on Jelly Bean. While the two found the same information for the most part, Voice Search was both faster and more comprehensive in almost all cases.
The intelligent voice assistant is the new smartphone battleground, and taking this on face value, Google looks to have the upper hand over Cupertino, at least while both of them are still in beta. Your move Apple. [TechnoBuffalo]
Update: Here’s a test throwing Samsung’s S-Voice into the mix as well, from our friends over at TechRadar.
Google Just Beat Siri to TV Voice Search
Google Voice Search Vs. Siri UK-Style
CheapAir: Search for Flights With Your Voice
Whilst I am impressed with the Jellybean voice I’d like to point out that when he said “Set a timer for 10 minutes time”, Siri set an actual timer that counted down whereas the Nexus only set an alarm for 10 minutes time. Otherwise JB Voice Search won hands down. Especially loving the google image search.
Is there really any difference? They both achieve the same result, an alarm going off in 10 minutes time.
Depends on what you are using it for. A timer gives you a count down with a visual representation of time remaining or elapsed, so SIRI did the right thing, on android it set an alarm, which isn’t what he asked for. Overall I prefer android’s voice assistant simply because it refrains from any judgemental comments and just sticks to the facts (see the request for sport’s results for example)
I suspect that sort of issue will be flagged up in beta reports and fixed. It’s even possible that using different terminology may produce a different result – “Set a 10 minute countdown” for example.
Are we sure the iPhone didn’t have a slower connection?
They were both running off the WIFI, so I doubt it very much.
Siri is often slower because it repeats what you’ve asked it! It’s frustrating. But perhaps that is to give it/her thinking time.
I’m not sure this is a fair trial…
Unless I’m confused, Siri downloads answers from a server. I assume that Google Voice does this same?
If this is the case, then the load in Siri’s servers are likely to be much larger than that on Google’s. There are tonnes of people using Siri, whereas probably only a handful using Google Voice at the moment (given that it’s only available on development release software). Once it’s open to the public, and has had chance to reach steady state, then it will be time for a fairer test.
I’m pretty sure both use Wolfram Alpha, but I could be wrong about that. I know S Voice does.
Google has roughly a million servers. I don’t think server load will ever be an issue for them. If it’s an issue for Apple then it has underestimated its server requirements. So either Apple has poor server performance or Siri is inherently slower. Either way, it’s Apple’s problem.
I wanted to not reply to you but I felt compelled.
That, sir, is unequivocally THE worst argument I have ever heard, full stop.
@Iwsrbrts – Actually, sir, I think you just topped it.
http://img.ffffound.com/static-data/assets/6/2c654eaa043f052f1867dc9ea5fb14744399776c_m.jpg
Android has had voice search for a long time, my HTC sensation had voice search when i first got it, that was 2.3!
So yes it is a fair test because the servers google use get the same if not more traffic than Apple. The voice search in 4.1 isn’t new its just massively upgraded and its also why Apple cant do anything to stop this.
“Your move Apple”
Litigation?
That’s their usual next step, but they wouldn’t have anything they could sue for.
That’s never stopped them before.
Well, the microphone icons look remarkably similar, they both have some lines inside a circle…
Yeh but just for fun….http://static.themetapicture.com/media/funny-real-slide-to-unlock-old-lock.jpg
So, the world’s best search company is better at search than someone who rents search off other, lesser companies.
In other news bear faeces has been discovered in a wooded area.
Oh Darrel, do you not have any more other news? You always use the same one.
By the way, I added you on google plus recently…
Did you wish administration to the Giz UK circle? If so what is your first name as I have 2 pending.
Sorry?, don’t got that first bit. Btw my name is Lewis. Just added you to my following circle, that’s all.
Scratch that, you are an acquaintance.
Part of the difference is that Siri’s voice recognition is all done in the cloud, it therefore has to send your voice to the server, get the server to interpret the request, and send that back to the phone.
Google’s voice recognition engine is now on the device itself – it doesn’t even need an internet connection to run (though obviously does to retrieve certain answers).
Ergo Siri sucks
This is a major plus for me; I want to be able to set reminders etc without being online!
I think this is a good thing. Competition can only be good for us as customers.
Tell that to Apple!
Props to google, Now Apple get your ass in gear!