We have all heard of Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant And "she” has has enough time on the spotlight being the only one but not for long. Google plans to compete with Siri with it’s own version: Google Assistant.

Reports had the Assistant’s name as "Majel” thiugh it is unsure. All we know is that "Assistant” is not part of GoogleX as Majel was. Google had the in-house technology to produce the Google Assistant for years–it hired Mike Cohen (the pioneer of Nuance). Google plans to trump Siri in all means possible, but it takes focus on retaining complete control on all layers involved.

According to a source: the "Assistant’s” team composed of people from Android and search engineer Amit Singhal has this project divided into 3 parts.

1. Get the world’s knowledge into a format a computer-readable format.
2. Create a personalization layer. (Google +1 and Google+ are Google’s way gauging how people interact with content)
3. Build a mobile, voice-centered "Do engine” (‘Assistant’) that’s less about returning search results and more about accomplishing real-life goals.

Google is planning to offer their service to developers so they can build greater things. This opens the door for apps, websites and other cool stuff hooked into Google Assistant. No that’s a move Siri should be making soon.

Last year was the year of social and Google+. This year, with Google having its eye on building its "Do Engine” for a more goal oriented search, will be the year of the "Assistant.

Of course the details are still a bit hazy. Last report from sources tell that the "Assistant” will be released by the fourth quarter of 2012. Now, I thin Siri can use her lead time to get herself a makeover.

Source: TechCrunch