is reportedly eyeing an iOS Assistant app as it fires new salvo in the AI wars

BY GreenBot Staff

Published 15 May 2017

The battle for AI supremacy is no longer about which device you want to buy. First Microsoft’s Cortana made the leap from ndows to the Android lock screen, Android followed up by integrating exa into its shopping app. But now things are starting to get really interesting as reportedly readies a major push onto iOS.

According to Android lice, is planning to release a stalone Assistant app on iOS, with an announcement possibly coming at I/O this week. According to the report, “The app would likely feature a blend of the “chat” style functionality in the lo version of Assistant the voice-controlled version found on Android,” but site cautions that “details are scant.”

Assistant on iOS would put some serious pressure on Siri. ile it wouldn’t be integrated as deeply as Apple’s AI, Assistant would shine a spotlight on the many things Siri can’t do, like play games, show search results for things it doesn’t know, speak conversationally. For example, if you ask Assistant who the chairman of Amazon is, it will tell you that it’s ff Bezos, like Siri. But if you then ask, “How much is he worth,” it will know that you are still speaking about Bezos. Siri, however, will start a new query.

I/O kicks off dnesday morning, we’ll be glued to the keynote to see if this rumor comes to fruition.

Now we’re talking: I/O would be an ideal venue for the release of Assistant on iOS. st year launched its new chatbot to the world, over the past 12 months has been working to bring it to as many phones devices as possible. But an ione app would seriously up the stakes in the battle between Assistant Siri, especially with the rumor that Apple is planning to release its own Home competitor at DC. OK , make us some popcorn.