Google Mobile App for iPhone now with Voice Search and My Location

Monday, November 17, 2008 | 5:32 PM

The new Google Mobile App for iPhone makes it possible for you to do a Google web search using only your voice. Just hold the phone to your ear, wait for the beep, and say what you're looking for. That's it. Just talk. Once the App is on, you don't have to push any buttons to search. Check out the video below to watch engineer Mike LeBeau explain how this works.

After you speak your query, Google Mobile App will return search results formatted for your iPhone.

And if you're doing a local search, there's no need to specify where you are because Google Mobile App now has Search with My Location. Search for "movie showtimes" or "Mediterranean restaurant" and you'll automatically see results based on your current location. For this to work, Location Services must be enabled on your iPhone and you have to opt-in to let Google Mobile App use your location.

To get the latest Google Mobile App for iPhone or iPod touch, go to the App Store and look for "Google Mobile App." Note that the voice search feature is currently available only in U.S. English and for the iPhone. Read more about other features of Google Mobile App.

Watch this video to see what Googlers from Chicago, London, New York, and Mountain View are searching for. Then consider sharing your most interesting voice search query by submitting a video response.



47 comments:

André Luis Pulcherio said...

This sounds so cool! Looking forward to the update to be available, but... Can I activate it even though my system language is different? (Obviously I'd still expect to say stuff in English!)

Eric said...

So, when will it be available for Android? :)

Unknown said...

For those who already have the Google Mobile app, why would it not register as updated?

Searching for the app and downloading it works, but there is no indication at first glance that there is any update.

Darnell Clayton said...

For those of you unable to see the new updated version of the app, first delete the Google Mobile App on your iPhone, then reinstall it.

~Darnell

Unknown said...

love it! but, need to have a built-in browser in the app rather than go to safari.

kevin said...

first 10-minute test and it works really well. awesome job google. only problem is every time I say the word "fish" it registers as "sex"...

PS. ksc I agree about the built-in browser for the apps.

Unknown said...

The user interface is really cool but the voice recognition quality for this application is below standard. Very dissapointed with the accuracy :(

twelveone said...

does the local search only work for the US? I've tried it in south west London and I got results for Richmond in the US!?

mstearne said...

The new version is great but why can't I voice search my contacts?

"dial John Smith mobile" please!

Darren Aitcheson said...

It's cool, but when will you tweak it to recognise non-US accents better?

Also, why has Apple decided to hide it away in the UK AppStore rather than having it on their Featured page?

Finally, why does local search never return anything local for my location? (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

twelveone said...

Voice recognition is rubbish! I said "stratford sauna" into the iPhone, and it came back with results for "usa"!?!? What's that about?!

Padre Nigma said...

This is fantastic, except for the North American accent bias. It actually works pretty well, but I have to disguise my (North London) accent with a terrible folksy Texan tourist voice to get results. I can see this is going to be the source of much amusement and confusion if I continue with the app...

(Seriously, the "Harry Enfield American Tourist" accent makes the difference between Lexington, Ohio and Lenght of the Nile, which is what I was actually searching for).

Great idea though. And, with some reservations, it does actually work!

Abhigyan Modi said...

How about making it available on the India iTunes store?

Unknown said...

What about Voice Chat on GooleTalk?
No way?

Stan said...

when will the Google iPhone apps, e.g. Search, Earth....be released to global user???

It is important!!!

Joel said...

When will Mike LeBeau be available for public use? He's cute!

Stefan said...

Awesome looking application! Could you also make an App Launcher for people like my friend who have 3+ pages of icons and may want to simply search for something a few pages away?

Sampson said...

where is the love for WinMo, Why can't we can't we get an app like this for it.

Ben said...

Totally freaking awsome!!!

Moonhawk said...

Can you enable the voice search on 2nd gen iPod touch? WIth a mic attached, 2g iPod touch can have sound input.

Alex said...

Why cannot the voice search find my contacts on the iPhone? If mI speak a name of a person in my address gook, it takes me to some web links about this person! I just want to find the phone number without flipping through the address book, and the voice search cannot let me do it. How silly is that?

HappyGuy said...

What about WM? We've been productive with our devices far longer than iphone users have been with their toy.

Anonymous said...

The main screen of Babyphone shows the current status, the microphone sensitivity and the threshold for triggering the alarm.

If the Microphone's display reaches or exceeds the set threshold, the previously defined phone number will be called. After completion of the call and the expiration of the delay Babyphone will reactivate itself again.

In the settings you can enter the number to call. In addition, there is a sleeping interval with an adjustable delay in minutes, after which Babyphone will reactivate itself again.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293317774&mt=8

No Name said...

Speech is just one transformation Apple brought to the iPhone, here is the other.

Unknown said...

im in the Washington DC area & it did 7 out of 7 & i really gave it difficult locations. great app looking forward to using it regularly.

sgip!

DJ Mark 7 said...

Works GREAT...google FTW!

abhishek said...

By when can it be available on the India iTunes store?

I was searching for Google mobile app and could;nt find any thing...

cnsxxx09 said...

When will it be available in English and not that pale imitation ... ?

Adinivermekistemeyen Gizleyici said...

when will it be available in other stores than US app store. i am wondering about turkish app store.

Grover Saunders said...

The voice recognition seems to work very well, but when I say "Nearby Starbucks", I get a google search as if I typed in "Nearby Starbucks" In other words, I get web pages that include the phrase "nearby starbucks." I have to tap the local link at the top to get actual business locations.

Unknown said...

Please make Google iPhone app available in India

Unknown said...

why does this not work on the ipod touch 2g ???

Shattur said...

I wish they would add the feature to avoid toll roads, highways, etc to the iphone map application. Does anyone know if this being worked on?

2dogblog said...

When is this app going to be available for the Google phone?

Luiz Claudio Eudes said...

I really want to know why there are not any applications of Google on the iTunes Store Brazil???

hifitodd said...

Hi,

Is there any way to search on the Iphone Gmail?

Searching is one of the best parts of gmail.

Thanks!

Unknown said...

Dear Google Mobile, when will be google earth for iphone available for peruvian store? or worldwide? thousands of people will really appreciate if you make it available. Best Regards

Dennis said...

I'm another person who would love to see this on the iPod Touch 2g. I'd hope that the software could use the cruder location finder on the Touch.

Why, oh, why didn't put GPS in the iPod Touch?

Nintendo_G said...

ADD SUPPORT FOR 2G IPOD TOUCH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fossiloflife said...

why is Google Mobile App not available in India???

Anonymous said...

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Guilherme said...

Guys, I can't find the mobile app on iTunes. Did any thing happen or am I doing something wrong?
(I am using an iPhone from Brazil)

Bernard said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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[k06a] said...

When it will be avaliable to download this app in Russian AppStore?

Unknown said...

Why not available in INDIA????????