Source of Siri's Technology is Finally Revealed

Apple AAPL may own Siri, but it did not create the voice recognition app all on its own. Nuance NUAN, the voice and language specialist that has been unofficially linked to Siri since the day the iPhone 4S was announced, has reluctantly avoided its Apple connection for more than a year. That ended today when the company's CEO, Paul Ricci, told AllThingsD's Walt Mossberg that the company's technology can be found within Siri. To what extent, he did not say. Ricci's admission comes at a time when the tech industry is turning its attention to the rumored iPhone 5S, the device that Apple is expected to release next. While it is not yet known how Apple may upgrade its popular handset, the early rumors have not mentioned any enhancements for Siri. Siri, however, is still in beta. The personal voice assistant has reportedly improved since it debuted on the iPhone 4S in the fall of 2011, but it has yet to become the finished (and highly polished) product that many expect. It could be several years before that happens, however. Voice recognition has been a work-in-progress form of software since the day it was invented. In addition to Siri, Nuance also confirmed that it has worked with Samsung and other unnamed companies to build voice applications that run on Android. However, the company's technology is not featured in Google's own speech-recognition software. Earlier today Nuance also announced that it had acquired Tweddle Connect, an application and content service delivery platform for in-car infotainment systems. Tweddle's technology is featured in Toyota's TM Entune, which is the automaker's collection of mobile apps and data services. Last month Nuance announced that it planned to collaborate with AutoNavi AMAP to bring voice-enabled navigation features to Chinese consumers. Nuance also unveiled its plans to bring Voice Ads to the masses, enabling consumers to have a two-way conversation with their favorite brands. Additionally, the company is working ZTE to build voice-enabled Android devices. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ