Google Pulls 'Official' Siri App from Android Market

Google has reportedly yanked an app masquerading as Siri, Apple's voice command personal assistant software, from the Android marketplace.

The move comes amid a deluge of Siri wannabes that have invaded the Android market since Apple introduced the iPhone 4S and its innovative features.

App called Siri for Android

An app called Siri for Android, made by an outfit called Official Software, appeared in the Android market on Friday and was pulled from the bazaar by Google just hours afterwards its arrival there, according to a report by The Then and there Web.

For example, it used Apple's Siri icon for the Official Software Android app. The word "official" was used after a fashion to make the app look like it was a true clone of the Apple app. When the Siri icon was tapped, all Official Software's app did was load Google's own voice command software, Voice Actions.

A French developer has even found a way to tap into Apple's servers to enable software running on other mobile phone platforms to duplicate Siri's feats, even though the legality of such a move would be doubtful.

Search for Siri on the Android Market

A search for "Siri" on the Android Market by PCWorld revealed 131 hits, nevertheless less than a handful of the programs had more than 10,000 downloads. They were Vlingo Virtual Assistant, Iris, Skyvi and Speaktoit Assistant.

While the Android world has been laboring hard to emulate Siri's functionality since Apple pulled the wraps off it, it hasn't quite made it there but, according to PC World's Ed Albro.

Android phone

"I've concluded that you can find decent virtual help on an Android phone, nevertheless the assistants available likely won't be as smooth and capable as Siri," he wrote.