Voice Search in Google Mobile App for iPhone

The update to the Google Mobile iPhone app with voice-driven search is now available, and while I think it’s more gimmicky than useful overall, it’s certainly interesting. If you don’t have an iPhone, at least watch the demo video — my favorite part of the app are the sound effects it makes when it’s ready for you to dictate a voice query and finished processing your query. These sounds are just perfect.

Accuracy seems inconsistent. When I asked for local restaurant names here in Philly, it did well. When I asked for “You Look Nice Today”, Google nailed it. But when I said “Beat up Martin”, well, the result was Newton-esque.

★ Tuesday, 18 November 2008