Apple is close to completing an acquisition of Siri, an iPhone search app. If the transaction goes through, it will signify Apple's entry into the search market to further compete with Google.
A Siri representative said he could not confirm the acquisition because the transaction is not yet complete. However, it's looking likely the deal will go through, he said.
Reviewed by Wired.com in February, Siri is an artificial intelligence-based voice-powered app that acts as your personal assistant. With the app running, you can address requests to your phone verbally, asking questions such as, “Will it rain today?” or “Where is a Chinese restaurant nearby?”
An acquisition of Siri would inevitably increase tension between Apple and Google. The two giants have been butting heads ever since Google released its mobile operating system Android. At a recent iPhone event, Jobs admitted that he had intended to purchase mobile ad company AdMob, but Google beat him to the punch. Instead, Apple purchased ad firm Quattro, which is assisting Apple with development of its mobile ad platform iAd.
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