How Alexa Keeps Beating Siri

Tech companies are investing major resources into developing virtual assistants, making calculated bets that these digital entities will be the future of mobile computing. Apple first made the idea mainstream when it launched Siri with the iPhone 4S in 2011. Google followed swiftly with the launch of its A.I.-fueled Google Now (which has since evolved into Google Assistant) in 2012. Apple had a three-year head start on other major competitors such as Amazon's Alexa and Microsoft's Cortana. But while Apple took the early lead in the space, its cautious approach--particularly when it comes to integrating information and functionality from third-party apps--has left it lagging.