Does Siri make Apple getting into search inevitable?

Brad · November 30, 2011, 12:43:26 PM

... This article seems to think so.
Siri: Why Apple will build, buy, or partner on a search engine | ZDNet http://zd.net/sK0Iop

I found it convincing:

Apple can't continue to rely on Google when they have so much bad blood between them and Apple wants to kill Google's puppy, Android. That does not leave Google with a lot of options. I do know Apple hates to be dependent on a third party like Google for a critical service or piece of architecture. I think they will buy.

What do you think?

Gurtie · November 30, 2011, 02:26:14 PM

building seems a little extreme, and outside of their existing services (and lets face it, the cloud servers aren't espeially well managed, you'd have problem running a search service from anything that falls over that often). Buy, perhaps. Partner seems more likely?

hungrygoose · November 30, 2011, 05:14:53 PM

Could be interesting, wonder if it would still be a link based algo they'd use or if there are companies with more reliable metrics.... Not that as an SEO I dislike the link algo, I love it!

littleman · November 30, 2011, 05:43:24 PM

>Why wouldn't they!?

It would certainly be good for us if search was less centralized having 70-80% of search controlled by one company just isn't good for SEOs, merchants, free speech or anything else.

Brad · November 30, 2011, 09:36:47 PM

The article mentions DuckDuckGo (DDG), Blekko, Dogpile and a couple of others as purchase candidates, but of all of them Blekko is the only one using mostly their own database. DDG gives great results but they are mainly tweaked Bing results and that still makes Apple vulnerable to being cut off or held hostage by Bing. Blekko seems to have improved, and given deep financial pockets they could crawl wider and deeper which would further improve the serps.

Partner or buy seems most likely. Are there good specialized search providers that have not been named?

bill · December 01, 2011, 06:57:20 AM

Does Apple/Siri even have to return normal SERPs? I liked all their Siri tie-ins with WolframAlpha, Yelp, and other information providers. Simply providing an answer, rather than a list of possible answers appeals to people. Lets them think less...

Brad · December 01, 2011, 10:52:48 AM

Quote from: bill on December 01, 2011, 06:57:20 AM
Does Apple/Siri even have to return normal SERPs? I liked all their Siri tie-ins with WolframAlpha, Yelp, and other information providers. Simply providing an answer, rather than a list of possible answers appeals to people. Lets them think less...

I sort of agree bill, and my understanding is that is what Siri tries to do now. I think they will probably keep the specialized providers that yeild the best results. But at some point you need a generalized search engine with a broad and deep index if for no other reason than backfill when all else fails.

The folks at WolframAlpha and especially Yelp after having been beaten up by Google, have to be feeling like a lifeline has been thrown them by Siri using their results.

grnidone · December 14, 2011, 08:51:38 PM

Stupid question: what does Siri use now for search results?

Brad · December 14, 2011, 10:15:27 PM

Quote from: grnidone on December 14, 2011, 08:51:38 PM
Stupid question: what does Siri use now for search results?

Depends on the question asked. Siri picks what it considers the best tool for the query so it uses Wolfram Alpha, Yelp and Google. Might use others but I'm in Android land now so I have not been paying close attention.

The big threat to Google is that Siri produces it's own SERPs - no room for Google advertising so Google is just reduced to being plumbing.

More here: http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html

rcjordan · December 14, 2011, 11:15:54 PM

Google's response to Siri is codenamed 'Majel'

"it sounds like only Google search queries will be included with the initial release"

http://androidandme.com/2011/12/news/googles-response-to-siri-is-codenamed-majel-could-be-released-by-end-of-year/

Rooftop · December 15, 2011, 09:30:49 AM

Question for the iphone 4s users then: Other than in a "look at this, it's cool" sense, are you actually using Siri?

I know that google voice actions is a poor relation, but I always found the combination of bandwidth requirement + feeling like a total c##k talking to you phone to be off-putting. Occasionally use it in the, but not often.

Rumbas · December 15, 2011, 03:48:21 PM

No, dont use it at all, but English is not my primary language and Siri will only take English..

grnidone · December 15, 2011, 07:08:16 PM

That could be a fun experiment for you, Rumbas. Ask Siri something in your native tongue and see what it gives you back. If it is funny, you could film it and have a hit on youtube for linking opps.

Brad · December 16, 2011, 04:44:51 PM

Quote from: Rooftop on December 15, 2011, 09:30:49 AM
Question for the iphone 4s users then: Other than in a "look at this, it's cool" sense, are you actually using Siri?

I know that google voice actions is a poor relation, but I always found the combination of bandwidth requirement + feeling like a total c##k talking to you phone to be off-putting. Occasionally use it in the, but not often.

I don't have an iPhone so I can't answer directly. I have a Android phone and have Speaktoit assistant installed, I find I don't use it that much:

1. because I forget it is there

2. I don't spend lots of time in the car - if I did I suspect I would use it more.

Brad · December 16, 2011, 11:56:38 PM

I just spotted this:
Apple iPhone 4S's Siri now lets you shop entire Best Buy inventory – MacDailyNews - Welcome Home http://bit.ly/rBge5N

It appears that Wolfram Alpha has shopping price info, or they are starting too. All new to me since I thought W.A. was all scientific type stuff.

JasonD, I think you have given us a hint: young people will pick up on voice assistant use much quicker than those of us that are in the habit of only using keyboards for search. The youngsters have no preconceived notions.