Tech - Why Siri and Search need to be different



Ever since the launch of Siri on the new iPhone 4S, there has been a lot of talk about it being a competition for search engines and therefore Google. However, I hope and wish Google and Apple treat the two differently. And, here is why.

I see Google largely as an 'information broker'. The search is brilliant and gets you to what you are looking for. And, if you are signed in, Google then makes the search experience more personalized and contextual. As a natural extension of the search capability, voice is already there but obviously not at the same level as Siri. With more information being created each day as well as the variety of devices being used to access the information, Google should continue to improve the core search. I think there is still a lot more to be done in the search algorithm, incorporating social signals and the different user experiences. For example, if I search for 'data visualization', can the search show me videos and podcasts that contain these 'spoken' words within them (not necessarily tagged)? Trying to take on Siri may divert the attention from these kind of improvements.

For Siri, it has been a good start capturing the people's imagination. I would like to see it progress more as an AI product, almost like a modern day HAL (from the movie, 2001: Space Odyssey). Siri can continue to be part of the Apple devices. Eventually, it could be a product on it's own. It could fit into a device like an iPod shuffle, that one can clip on your shirt or collar and take it with you wherever you go. It can listen in to all your conversations and 'learn' from them, almost be like an 'invisible' friend and adviser. Of course, one does need real friends too! :) Or it could be customized for a profile, like Sport-Siri, Health-Siri, Student-Siri and so on. With Siri being context aware (location, time, you, activity) it has the potential to become a modern day 'Wooster'. It might be a flight of fancy - how about combining Siri with a Lego R2D2 robot. Now, I think I am getting ahead of myself! And, that is a lot different from Search.
Location: Welwyn, Hertfordshire, UK

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