iPhone 5 Release Date: Siri for Android Phones?
Although Siri will most likely never come to an Android device, there are a couple of Siri-like voice-recognition applications that are capable of doing similar things.
Most people think of Siri for its streamlined voice, jokes, and the apps and tasks it easily accesses on the iPhone 4S. What many users don’t understand is that voice-recognition software is only as powerful as the server it is attached to.
In Siri’s case, it communicates with Apple’s gigantic servers regularly to find every bit of information it produces; many similar Android apps do the same thing, but they are backed by the search giant, Google.
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The first, and most widely used voice-identification software used by Android phones is Speaktoit Assistant. This is a colorful, vibrant application complete with an animated person to speak to.
Users have the option to alter many physical aspects of the avatar, but what is more important is the app’s search and response capabilities.
Speaktoit Assistant brings up results to queries in its own window, with the option to view the same information in the standard applications that came with the device.
In addition, Speaktoit Assistant will create emails, texts, tweets, Facebook statuses with ease, giving consumers the chance to alter the writing before it is sent out. The Facebook and Twitter aspects are particularly useful, especially when compared to Siri, which must use SMS for social media.
Another Android favorite for voice assistants is Google Voice Actions, which is more limited, but more reliable as well.
Instead of spending time trying to figure out what users’ questions and statements are requesting, Voice Actions necessitates that one uses its preapproved commands. Using those phrases allows the applications to quickly and smoothly play music, send texts and emails, call your contacts, and give directions, among other things.
Google Voice is more hands-on than other applications though, prompting you to use your fingers instead of your voice many times.
After these are some of the more bottom-tier voice-recognition applications, like Vlingo and Eva Intern.
Vlingo doesn’t stand up to Siri, or even the more accessible Android voice-recognition programs. Its own servers are not nearly as fast as Google’s or Apple’s systems, and it does not process voices as well either.
When it does hear you, though, Vlingo can competently post statuses or send tweets.
Eva Intern is basically the bottom of the barrel, with cumbersome communication. It gives alternates to what a user might have said, instead of just assuming, like other apps do. Also, it reminds consumers of appointments three times, which could become annoying.
Siri is still the top-of-the-line as far as personal electronic assistants go, but Android applications aren’t far behind. Speaktoit Assistant and Google Voice Actions, although a bit more limited, run very smoothly.
