New Virtual Assistant App Launches

By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A virtual assistant comes standard on most smartphones, but there's a new free app aiming to take the place of Siri and Google Now.

(Ian to Hound:) "Find me a hotel room in Philadelphia from March 4th to 6th under $300 a night with free wifi."

(Hound app:) "OK. Showing 10 results with availability in Philadelphia from March 4th to March 6th under $300 a night that provide free wifi."

Hound understands complex requests, context, and more natural language.

(Ian to Hound:) "Any that offer free breakfast and a pool?"

(Hound app:) "OK. Showing results that offer free breakfast and a swimming pool."

Using only your voice, Hound hails an Uber, and can fulfill highly specific requests about businesses.

(Ian to Hound:) "Show me restaurants with at least four stars that are open for lunch, offer free parking, are kid-friendly, and sort them by lowest price."

(Hound:) "Here are restaurants."

Hound, by the music recognition app developer SoundHound, is free in the Apple and Google stores.

(APPLE:) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hound-voice-search-assistant/id1032432287?mt=8
(GOOGLE PLAY:) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hound.android.app&hl=en