(Image Source: PPC Geeks)

BY ADNAN S. KHAN

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Is it a case of ‘been there, done that?’
Or professional jealousy?
A top Microsoft executive tells Forbes, his company had a Siri-like product, long before Apple did.

ERIC SAVITZ: So, the one last thing about the alternative interface, is the … there’s a lot of excitement about Siri, Apple’s voice control (Mundie shrugs in disagreement) interface for the new iphone.”
MUNDIE: Well! The TellMe technology have been in windows phone for more than a year...

...

SAVITZ: Good marketing.
MUNDIE: You’re right, its good marketing but the technological capabilities, you could argue Microsoft have had a similar capability in windows phone for more than a year.”

So, Apple-envy?  Or justified pride?
Microsoft’s Craig Mundie seemed a little annoyed by the question.
Apple Insider adds...
 

“Mundie goes on to say that Apple's marketing prowess is something that Microsoft could learn from, though he feels that the iPhone maker had to focus on the voice technology due to lack of new features on the iPhone 4S.”
 

Microsoft may have matched Apple in the voice-control department, as demonstrated by the highly successful Kinect. But a writer for Expert Exchange says it’s Microsoft’s fault that no one knows it has a comparable product in its phones.

“The fact that it took nearly two months for Microsoft to finally reply to the introduction of Siri by saying that a similar program has been on the Window’s Phone for over a year is indicative of a much deeper problem … This is the reason that Mundie’s response comes across as somewhat of a juvenile complaint, rather than a calm reassertion.”
 

Finally, a writer for Computerworld says Siri’s surliness and creativity make it stand out from rivals Quoting Samuel L. Jackson from Pulp Fiction, the writer says Siri’s got personality.
 

“Pop culture references, smart aleck remarks, and sometimes unintentionally funny responses create an emotional, visceral connection with the device; you never quite know what answer you're going to get. It helps humanize the technology further and subtly encourages you to keep asking questions and interacting with Siri.”