When the iPhone 4S launched in late 2011, it was greeted with a degree of skepticism from those, disappointed with lack of major aesthetic features. However, under Apple’s skin, significant alteration came upon the flagship smart phone. The vital areas of iPhone 4S are;

• Dual core processor.
• iOS 5 operating system.

But even these are to fall short before the most exciting feature of iPhone 4S; ‘Siri’, the voice-controlled personal assistant software and an addition that has been successful enough to spark rumors that Microsoft will be introducing a similar feature for Windows 8.

Exclusivity of Siri

It is worth pointing out that Apple is by no means the first company to attempt to integrate voice controls into a software package, but there is little doubt that Siri is perhaps the most advanced system available to consumers at the moment. It allows users to check the weather, update their list of appointments, send text messages and much more. The fact that this can all be done using your voice alone is significant because of its availability on a mobile platform.

Of course, Microsoft already has its own integrated voice features on the Windows Phone 7 operating system known as TellMe. Users can launch apps, search for contacts and browse the web by talking to their handsets, but it is arguably not as refined or cohesive as the Siri experience. Windows 8 is likely to launch in late 2012 and Microsoft is apparently planning to bring a Siri-style voice-control companion to the fore with this brand new desktop and tablet operating system.

What Microsoft Could Offer

At the core of Microsoft’s initiation is the Kinect motion and audio sensor developed for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console and launched at the end of 2010. Kinect has an array of visual sensors on its front, but it also lets gamers control their consoles using voice commands alone. It is not quite as advanced as Siri, given the limitations of the Xbox 360, but it does suggest that Microsoft already has the hardware in place to begin implementing voice controls on a wider number of its products.

In an interview with Forbes magazine, Microsoft’s Craig Munide said that the main reason for Siri’s prominence is the marketing, thus implying that Microsoft has just as much ability to deliver a comparable experience. He also said that Microsoft has spent much longer than a year investing in the development of voice-controlled software ahead of the launch of Kinect and now Windows 8.

A Clue of Microsoft’s Game Plan

Looking at how Microsoft is strategizing its game plan, two pivotal points, pertaining to the strategy can be surfaced;

1. Microsoft is going for a combined platform. Kinect and Windows 8 are going to be joining forces in January 2012, courtesy of a beta-testing program that will allow third-party developers to get their hands on the platform and use it to implement voice controls with the Kinect hardware.
2. Unlike Apple, Microsoft is expanding its platform by allowing a host of other companies to get under the skin of its new software and hardware, with the ultimate intention of creating a better user experience by the time the full release goes public. In this way, the company won’t appear overly pervasive and rather with a lenient face, while an enriched user experience would be delivered.

Rumor Has its Take

There have long been rumors of Kinect-like features arriving on Windows 8 devices, either in the form of motion sensors built into laptop displays or voice recognition in tablets based on the software. As everything pays off, rumors also don’t simply go to waste. Interest lies in their implications;

• It would certainly be interesting to be able to browse the web over an Xfinity internet connection without having to type a single character with your keyboard.
• If hardware based experience fascinates you, no problem. Your PC or could be used for streaming content from an Xfinity internet connection, which would be more intuitive and fluid.

Sensibility when Skepticism Retains

Some people still see voice control as a gimmick even after the introduction of Siri and there is certainly something a little disconcerting about having a conversation of sorts with your smart phone. However, as with any new technology, it is something which people will adapt to using.

Apple, Microsoft and even Google are all sensible to be investing in this area.

About Author:  Kristina Louis is a freelance content writer by profession.She writes article on behalf of  Verizon Fios.Gadgets and Internet technology are her topic of interest and she find immense pleasure in writing article on Internet technology.