Google Voice Search Comes to Apple's iPhone, Not Android G1 First
When I met with Google's mobile platform and open source evangelist Vic Gundotra 11 months ago, he mused about how great it would be to speak into his iPhone and get Google search results. Google programmers have made that possible, adding voice recognition technology to the company's search algorithm to make the iPhone even more appealing, according to the New York Times' John Markoff who wrote (subscriber wall):
Users.... can place the phone to their ear and ask virtually any question, like "Where's the nearest Starbucks?" or "How tall is Mount Everest?" The sound is converted to a digital file and sent to Google's servers, which try to determine the words spoken and pass them along to the Google search engine. Apparently, the search results will also sometimes include local information thanks to the iPhone's location-based services. Silicon Alley Insider's Nicholas Carlson yawns at the development here, but I think it's a big deal. My first reaction to this is: Wow, Google just achieved a significant technology feat and is letting Apple reap the rewards first, with support for other phones later. Gundotra raved about his iPhone last December, but wouldn't you think there comes a point when Google would be a little selfish and keep such a crown jewel as voice search for its own Android mobile platform? Such a move would surely boost sales of the T-Mobile G1. Ah, but we can debate Google's competitive finesse later. Let's enjoy the achievement first. According to Markoff, Apple will make the free Google app available today through its iTunes store. As of 8:30 EDT, there is no sign of it on iTunes, but I'm hardly the expert when searching Apple. Neither Greg Sterling nor Matt McGee at SEL could find it either. The software is flawed, as Markoff said queries can appear as gibberish, but Markoff noted Google executives said they believed it was accurate enough to be useful to people who wanted to avoid tapping out their queries on the iPhone's touch-screen keyboard. Moreover, Google watchers said it won't be a stretch to improve now that Google has built the software. Of course, because the iPhone doesn't make us lazy enough. :) Google also told Markoff believes location-based queries would make it possible "to charge higher rates for advertisements from nearby businesses." Well, Google has been looking for that killer mobile app to monetize. Could voice search be it? |
Comments (7)
That kind of thinking assumes that Google's business model is something like Microsoft's. It isn't. Android doesn't have to "win" for Google to win.
Posted by disposableidentity | November 14, 2008 9:53 AM
This is not new technology but knowing Google your iPhone will be able to tie your shoe eventually
Posted by Nick Stamoulis | November 14, 2008 11:21 AM
I look forward to this feature. I have been checking periodically, for the update. The is a good revenue model. I ask for "coffee" and my GPS tag shows where I am and suggests instead of all Coffee-shops in the area but shows me the ones with paid advertising. Interesting if you think on the idea.... like perhaps, offered discounts for iPhone users. I can go to get coffee at the closest place offering me a deal. Good for everyone. Google makes and so do the people buying AdTags.
Posted by Chris Coyne | November 14, 2008 2:14 PM
I'd love to see their voice recognition released separate from search. I've always wanted the ability to use a handheld device to create simple documents (lists, outlines, notes) while walking.
Posted by rob adams | November 14, 2008 2:19 PM
The new version is probably held back by Apple's review.
Posted by Mail Archive | November 14, 2008 2:29 PM
We can't even use directional search on Google maps here in the Philippines. The iPhone GPS doesn't seem to work in these parts. And we're not privileged to get the iPhone Google Earth yet, though we have Mac/Windows Google Earth in all its brilliance!
We could use Google Street View, if Google would deign to built it. Our main cities -- and there are plenty of them, with a total population of at least 20 million -- are studded with McDonalds and Starbucks.
This is in a country with 93 million people and growing, 10 million working abroad and sending in the dollars, euros, rials, yen and so on, with a market of at least a million a year for whatever product.
Google should start thinking of the Philippines. Apple already has, having opened an Apple Online Store a few days ago.
Posted by Maya | November 14, 2008 10:07 PM
Google has had a nice test period and run-up in voice recognition through their free 800-GOOG-411 directory assistance program. I am guessing Google has one of the deepest voice recognition libraries and best set of algorithms to use with all of the different regional dialects...
What other languages are next? Are there free Google Directory Assistance programs in other countries?
Posted by Darren | November 17, 2008 9:54 AM