Google Majel voice recognition for Android to start war of words with Siri
Reports have come in from AndroidandMe that Google is planning a new natural language system called Majel, and that this Android voice recognition software could be with us by the end of 2011 and bring Siri-like features to Android mobiles.
Named from the Federation computer in Star Trek, Majel would likely replace Android's current voice recognition software Voice Actions, but rather than specific commands having to be vocalised, users would be able to make use of Majel's natural language algorithms in order to bring about a far more complex and, hopefully, accurate system. Much like iPhone 4S users can with Siri.
The apparent 2011 release date comes from speculation involving a rumour that engineers at Google's special ideas lab, Google X, are aiming to finish their first release by the end of the year.
Presumably this early iteration will be based around web search, before moving onto the more taxing task of delivering in-phone functions. However, regardless of the timing of the launch Google is in an excellent place to deliver a great product as its massive data reserves should act as a useful tool for language analysis.
Do you like the sound of Majel? Have you used Siri? Let us know what you think in the comments below...
Via: androidandme.com
I find it weird talking to the computer or the kinect, you know it is judging the way you speak and thinks you have a speech impediment. I'd feel better about it if it would respond to a name I chose for it like "Computer" or "Captain's Log" or "Operator" or "MINIONS!". You oughta be able to set your own commands also, like "Kalimar!" or "Eliminate targets!" or "Make it so". Also I find that Siri has an obnoxious and assuming tone (from what I have heard so far), computers should sound more like Glados from Portal (you know, computery voices) and no thank you to butler voices (looking at you, Tony Stark). We shall see what this Majel sounds like, let's hope for Marge Simpson.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly something that needs developing, but I think with the change of how seach works on the internet, it is inevitable that voice recognition will play a massive role in the future. It is probably a novelty thing right now but I think in the not too distant future we will ask ourselves how we lived without it before. Or we will probably ask a software...
ReplyDeleteThat's all good but it'll still be years before we can use voice commands to do something useful like "Iron my shirt!" or "Bring me a beer". In the meantime I'll have to stick to the wife for that!
ReplyDeleteSeems a bit creepy to me, naming a disembodied voice after a woman who died 3 years ago.
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