Nuance CEO Confirms Siri Partnership with Apple

siri_iconNuance has long been given credit for powering Siri's speech recognition capabilities, but neither the company nor Apple have ever confirmed the partnership, until today. Speaking at the D11: All Things Digital conference in Palos Verdes, California, Nuance CEO Paul Ricci admitted that Nuance technology powers Siri.

"We're a fundamental provider for Apple," he said.

Though Nuance did not previously admit to an Apple partnership, there have been numerous hints that all but confirmed Nuance's Siri role. Siri, which was acquired by Apple in 2010, was built using voice recognition technology from Nuance, and in 2011, pre-release iOS 5 screenshots revealed hidden Nuance preferences.

Besides powering Siri, Nuance has its own dictation and speech recognition software. It has also formed partnerships with several other companies and Siri competitors, such as Amazon's Evi, and released an API for developers.

Though Nuance is responsible for Siri’s voice recognition capabilities, Ricci did point out (via The Next Web) that other Siri abilities are the work of other companies. Siri integrates with many different services to provide query results, like Yelp, OpenTable and Wolfram Alpha.

Apple is expected to increase Siri integration across its products with both iOS 7 and OS X 10.9. Reports from earlier this year suggested that Apple was working closely with car makers to provide more comprehensive "Eyes-Free" in-car Siri integration and OS X 10.9 is rumored to include Siri support.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...

Top Rated Comments

rmwebs Avatar
166 months ago
I wouldn't brag about that given that Siri has been sat and left to die since the day it was launched, with no compelling new features, fixes or improvements being launched other than (IIRC) a baseball card or something.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdelvecchio Avatar
166 months ago
I wouldn't brag about that given that Siri has been sat and left to die since the day it was launched, with no compelling new features, fixes or improvements being launched other than (IIRC) a baseball card or something.

youre pretty clueless. theyve added new features, serviceable items, and support since the launch.

next.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmChimera Avatar
166 months ago
I wouldn't brag about that given that Siri has been sat and left to die since the day it was launched, with no compelling new features, fixes or improvements being launched other than (IIRC) a baseball card or something.

Dinner reservations, movie ticket buying, sports information, movie information etc. They've added things.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
166 months ago
Reports from earlier this year suggested that Apple was working closely with car makers to provide more comprehensive "Eyes-Free"*in-car Siri integration and OS X 10.9 is rumored to include Siri support.
Great, Siri and iOS Maps will be able to direct me to a Chipotle in the middle of the Hudson river with my cars navigation.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BrianMojo Avatar
166 months ago
So now I know who to blame.

I love Apple, but face it, Siri's voice recognition is way behind Google. And until they allow developers to integrate their apps, it'll remain a one-trick pony.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Parasprite Avatar
166 months ago
Great, Siri will be able to direct me to a Chipotle in the middle of the Hudson river with my cars navigation.
What's worse is that doesn't even give you the fastest route.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)