Android: Vlingo is still our favorite virtual assistant for Android, but even it doesn't offer all of the features and tight integration that Apple's Siri does in iOS. Well, with Vlingo Labs, the service's new beta app where they test new features, you can get some of that integration, like the ability to speak to wake up Vlingo at any time and the ability to dictate SMS messages, web searches, and voice dialing, all without ever touching your phone.

Vlingo doesn't hide the fact that their Labs app is the place they test new features before they go live in the full version of Vlingo, but if you don't mind being on the cutting edge, Vlingo Labs has a lot to offer. The app's design has been revamped to look a little more like Siri, with a single-touch activation button at the bottom of your screen that can be pulled up over other apps, and Vlingo will now completely dictate text messages for you instead of hand you off to Google's built-in voice actions for the same task. Voice dialing and web search are holdovers from the main app, but they're faster and more conversational in the beta.

Unfortunately, Vlingo Labs has its limitations. First of all, it only supports Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices right now, and even then only devices in the United States and Canada. If your device matches that description, give the app a whirl and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Vlingo Labs | via Android Police

Motorola created a bit of a stir yesterday when it released a video compared Android's Voice Actions on the Atrix 2 with iOS's Siri on an iPhone 4S. Fanboys screamed foul in the comments, so we decided to test it out for ourselves. And yes, there's a very clear winner.

You'll note that this is not the Atrix 2, because we didn't have one on-hand. Instead we used the Galaxy Nexus which has very similar specs. They both have dual-core TI OMAP processors (though the Nexus is clocked at 1.2GHz vs 1.0GHz on the Atrix) and a gig of RAM. The point is the software, however, and the specs are close enough to make Voice Actions perform identically. The tests were conducted over Wi-Fi, so no need to call 4G shenanigans.

Text Messaging: Google Voice Actions

Android was definitely faster to respond, but in order to send the message you have to press Send. Siri took her time, but you can send it without having to look at your phone again. So speed goes to Android, but if you're clumsy or slow-fingered, call it a push.

Navigation: Google Voice Actions

No surprise here. Android has integrated turn-by-turn navigation and the iPhone only gives you directions. Kind of an unfair test in terms of final result, but even discounting that, Android's map was up first. (Note: this was an indoor test, so neither could get a GPS lock).

Memo: Google Voice Actions

This was a close one because there is some personal preference involved; both devices managed to screw something up. Android was definitely faster, but the two platforms handle notes differently. With Voice Actions, in order to save the note you have to hit Send. The reason is that it's actually just emailing the note to your personal email address (though you can add recipients, BCC, etc.) which takes a bit more time.

The iPhone saves your memo directly into your Notes app without you having to hit anything else. While that's an advantage in convenience, on Android you'll have access to your note anywhere you have access to your email address. You can sync Notes with your Apple account, but most people haven't and email is way more convenient. Plus, Voice Search actually sends the audio recording of the voice note as an attachment in the email, so if you're in a loud area and the transcription wasn't good, you can still hear it later. Advantage (for both speed and convenience): Android.

Calendar Management: Siri

Siri can add appointments to your calendar. Google Voice Actions can't. No contest.

Browser: Google Voice Actions

Voice Actions was clearly just much faster on this one. Plus, it went directly to Gizmodo.com where as the Siri went to Google's search results for Gizmodo.com.

Weather: Siri

In terms of speed Android was just a little bit faster, but the iPhone's results were better formatted. Plus, with Siri you can ask, "What will the weather be on Thursday in Brooklyn, NY" where as Voice Actions won't understand that.

Unit Conversion: Tie

This one was a dead-heat. Google's results came from, well, Google. Siri's came from Wolfram Alpha. Both were fast and both were right.

Overall Winner: Google Voice Actions

In terms of speed and accuracy, Google Voice Actions was ahead in almost all of our tests. Both have strengths and weaknesses, and both are handy convenience features. Siri has a little more colloquial chops and is more "fun," but Voice Search is ultimately a faster, more efficient tool. In terms of performance, the green robot takes the win. We'll test again when the next generation of these programs are out in the wild.

Videography and editing by Michael Hession.

The Lifehacker Show is back with a new format. Come check out our first episode where we answer a variety of questions from you, the readers. We'll discuss how to access your home network from afar, remap keys in OS X and Windows, hook up multiple screens to a laptop, find an apartment equidistant from three offices, learn how to get started with open-source development projects, and much more. Come check it out!

What's New?

The Lifehacker Show has been on hiatus for a few months because we've been thinking about a new approach. As much as we loved the old format, we didn't have enough time to do it justice and write all our posts. We wanted to try something that we could put together a little faster and also interact more with you, our readers. (Additionally, this format allows us to provide an audio version of the podcast which was a frequent request.) Over the past few weeks we asked you for questions and answered 11 of them as a trial run. Rather than shelve the test episode, we decided to share it with you and get your feedback. This episode only answers reader-submitted questions, but in future episodes we'll be adding a few other things:

• Top news stories of the week
• Our favorite tips and posts of the week
• The downloads of the day

If there's anything else you think would make a good addition to the show, please let us know in the comments. Remember, this was just a trial run to try out the new format. As we release future episodes we'll be working to make things better.

What's in this Episode?

We answered 11 reader questions this time around. Here's what we covered:

1. How do I resize my Windows Bootcamp partition?
   • You can't really, but Whitson has some suggestions in the show. We've never covered the process step-by-step, but you can find a lot of the information you need in his tutorial on how to migrate to a solid-state drive without reinstalling Windows.
2. What's the best online survey tool?
   • We use Polldaddy on Lifehacker.
   • The forms in Google Docs are nice, too, and they're embeddable.
3. How do I get involved with open-source development projects?
   • We like finding projects on Github.
   • You can find Adam Pash's projects here
4. How do I access my home server from outside my local network?
   • Learn about port-forwarding, or your home network in general.
5. How do I get Siri on a non-iPhone 4S?
   • With Spire, but we don't recommend it.
6. How can I get the most out of FreeNAS when serving files to multiple computers?
   • We all had many opinions about this. For some good FreeNAS tutorials, check out our original FreeNAS guide and our guide to turning your FreeNAS box into an internet PVR.
7. How can I hook up 2-3 screens to my laptop on a budget?
   • Try a USB display adapter or USB display.
   • Use AirSharing to turn a mobile device or other computer into another monitor (although it's not exactly the most responsive monitor you'll ever use).
8. Is there a way to get home and end key functionality on my Apple keyboard?
   • Just use fn+arrow keys.
   • Remap your keyboard with KeyRemap4Macbook
9. How can I find an apartment that's equidistant from multiple work locations?
   • A combination of Meet In Between Us and PadMapper can do the trick.
10. How can I remap function keys on my Windows keyboard?
    • AutoHotkey can get the job done.
    • These time-saving AutoHotkey tricks, this keyboard shortcut mapping guide, performing nearly any system task with AutoHotkey, and this AutoHotkey automation guide should help you learn the skills you need.
11. What's a great, inexpensive DIY waterproofing solution for a DSLR camera?
    • Check out a bunch of options we rounded up.

How Do I Download the Podcast?

You can watch the Ask Lifehacker Podcast on our YouTube Channel or every Friday at 8:00 AM (PT) on lifehacker.com. We'll be updating our iTunes feeds and posting the show in more places next week, but for now you can download* via these links:

• Video (720p H.264)
• Audio (192kbps MP3)

*Right click and choose to save the file to download directly to your computer.

Thanks for watching (or listening)!

How Do I Submit a Question?

There are three ways to send in your question:

• Record a video, upload it somewhere, and send a link to tips+asklhshow@lifehacker.com
• Call (347) 687-8109 and record a question. Calls are awesome! We like them!
• Email your question to tips+asklhshow@lifehacker.com.

Please keep your questions as brief as possible. This means about 3-5 sentences for emails and 30-60 seconds for calls and videos. Your questions can be specific, but broader questions are generally better because they'll apply to more people. For example, "how can I breathe new life into my old PDA?" is much better than "what can I do with an old HP iPAQ 210?" Either way, we look forward to hearing from you!

iOS (Jailbroken): Since iOS 5 was jailbroken, we've seen a steady stream of Siri hacks, but if you're looking for an all-in-one utility, AssistantExtensions is the best place to start.

AssistantExtensions comes packed with Siri commands for SBSettings, a Twitter function, YouTube search, and more. The nice thing about AssistantExtensions is that it can be expanded with additional tweaks from developers and it won't conflict with other Siri hacks. Extensions can be downloaded directly from Cydia and integrated into the AssistantExtensions so you won't have to choose between two Siri hacks. It's a free download and you can find it by searching for AssistantExtensions in the BigBoss repository.

AssistantExtensions | via MakeUseOf