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This article was taken from the June 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Wired takes a look at some of the best apps around for making life easier.
Wired
Siri
The new standard for iOS, voiced in the UK by The Weakest Link's Jon Briggs. Just don't ask it too many existential questions -- particularly who its parents are.
iOS, Free; apple.com
Iris
No iPhone? No problem. Iris brings to Android what Siri brings to iOS. Not perfect, but it'll do until Google develops its own part-sentient alternative.
Android, Free; dexetra.com
Speaktoit Assistant
A customisable cartoon character that takes your natural-language questions and helpfully pulls up relevant results from the web.
iOS, 69p; Android, Free; speaktoit.com
Evi
The most Siri-like of the non-Siris, Evi can give in-app answers to your natural-language questions -- but it can't manage your contacts or alarms.
iOS, 69p; Android, Free; evi.com
Vlingo
"Update Facebook status, I'm reading an awesome issue of Wired!" Vlingo turns such voice commands into hands-free actions.
Android/BlackBerry/Symbian, Free; vlingo.com
Weird
Voice Camera Pro
Yell "Shoot" to take a picture, "Flash" to toggle the flash, and so on. It might seem silly now, but just wait until Canon puts this feature in a future DSLR.
iOS, £1.99; apple.com
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
