Five apps which challenge Siri’s domination

With Windows Mobile introducing TellMe, the world is bracing for another voice assistant which can go head to head with Apple’s Siri. What alternatives are there to Apple’s almighty offering — the current benchmark of voice recognition apps?

• TellMe (Microsoft, Windows Phone and compatible products)

Microsoft calls its Siri-competitor “Technology that’s human, not frustrating”. Others call it “incomparable to Siri”. Where TellMe may have the advantage is in its multi-platform uses. TellMe will bring its voice-powered goodness to Windows Mobile, TV, cars and the upcoming Windows 8. Interaction is the similar to Siri, but limited to Bing-powered search results. According to independent tests, TellMe has a way to go before it becomes near-flawless.

• Evi (iPhone/Android)

Evi wants you to “ask me anything” and calls itself “revolutionary artificial intelligence” but how does it compare to Siri? It is a “bare bones app with frequent hiccups” according to some reviewers but at the price of a single dollar, non-Siri owners can at least get a glimpse into the future of voice-assistance.

Rubbing further salt into the wound is the constant “I’m having trouble getting a response from my servers” error message. Evi also cannot schedule meetings, or write text messages for you. As a tool for finding general information, it’s workable, but flawed. For US$0.99, find out for yourself if Evi can book a restaurant, direct you to an ATM and so on.

• Dragon Go (iPhone/Android)

What is Dragon Go? It’s the “friend which ‘gets’ you”. Unlike Evi, Dragon Go is a fully-featured app. It’s practically crammed with features and search engines. Ask.com, YouTube, ESPN, LiveNation, OpenTable, Pandora, the list seems endless. Ask Dragon Go a question and a centre tab pops up with the possible answer. Swiping left or right reveals additional results. If you can’t be right, at least be plentiful. Ultimately, it delivers an experience quite unlike Siri and is almost cathartic in nature as it messages your answer-gland with fresh, relevant content. And, gloriously Dragon Go is free on Android and iPhone. Give it a whirl.

• Iris (Android)

Judging by the video, Iris is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. Judging by comments from users of Iris, it’s “fun” but “could do with better integration”. The ratings are fantastic though, with over 20 000 satisfied users.

Iris has been described as the perfect app for the playful user, for someone who simply wants to have a chat. It was also rumoured that Iris took a mere eight hours to code. You’ve got to respect the tenacity of those coders.

• Majel (possibly for Google devices)

Majel is Google’s response to Siri, an evolution of Google’s Voice Actions. The difference between Majel and Google’s current Voice Actions application is that the newer app understands natural commands. The lead developer describes the internet giant’s approach as Star Trek-like. Of course, Google search functions will power Majel, named after Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, the voice of the on-board computer from Star Trek.