Apple buys mobile search start-up Siri

Apple has agreed to purchase mobile search specialist Siri.

Once completed, the deal will bring Apple the company responsible for the Siri Personal Assistant iPhone application.

The Siri iPhone app allows users to search for locations and services on their iPhone through voice recognition. The application process user requests for things such as restaurant locations and taxi services through voice commands and returns results.

If integrated into the iPhone OS, Siri could provide a boost to the handset's built-in search features, something that could become more important as Apple seems to be increasingly at odds with Google.

While terms of the deal are not being disclosed and neither company is stating any long-term plans, Siri board member Gary Morganthaler told V3.co.uk that the company viewed Apple as the perfect acquisition partner.

"It is a very good outcome for everyone involved," he said.

"Siri has been an excellent opportunity in many regards and I think it is just now being recognized."

The acquisition of Siri marks the latest chapter in what has become a busy financial season for Apple.

Earlier this week the company acquired chipmaker Intrinsity, and in January Apple added another mobile asset with the purchase of Quattro wireless.