(ignoring the translation to a representation a machine can understand) asking when the best time to sow crops requires domain knowledge and lots of analysis, asking to be called upon a certain event is simply implementing a rule.<p>Sure, something like Siri could be incredibly useful in the future if we can architect it properly, but comparing the current "personal assistant" to a knowledge engine that can answer any possible question is like comparing a Wright Brothers plane to a modern fighter jet.<p>TLDR: author goes far overboard with his conclusion, nothing new ...
Google Voice Search has been around well before Siri, it's not news that Google is moving in that direction and voice search has been available on my phones for a long time now (not only from Google).
Just because Apple markets yet another technology as new and unprecedented doesn't mean it is, sorry.<p>Just for you to know: <a href="https://market.android.com/search?q=voice+search&so=1&c=apps" rel="nofollow">https://market.android.com/search?q=voice+search&so=1...</a>
Most of the apps there are older than Siri.<p>Also: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGbYVvU0Z5s" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGbYVvU0Z5s</a> from what i can tell (i neither use voice search nor have an iphone), this looks essentially the same ..
Please take a look at an older Siri video, which shows its capabilities of understanding. Perhaps it will help you understand this goes beyond voice control and asking simple questions such as "Where is" or "How much is". <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/10/03/iphone-5-assistant/" rel="nofollow">http://mashable.com/2011/10/03/iphone-5-assistant/</a>