The Search-by-Voice app exclusive for iPhone is a search tool that utilizes voice recognition that lets you tell your phone what you want to know - without you having to take your gloves off. So if you're wondering where the nearest Starbucks is, just ask the iPhone. Your question is then turned into a digital file that goes to Google's servers which dole out the results in the iPhone's web browser, Safari. Those with a fast network connection could see search results appear within seconds.
In an online demonstration video, Google said the goal is to provide "faster web search with fewer key strokes."
The iPhone will still offer type searches to those who want to tap out their enquiries. The voice recognition program also lets you search for contacts in your phone and automatically caters search results to local information no matter where you are.
The phone can tell when it's being picked up and automatically activates the voice recognition so you don't have to.
The Search-by-Voice app is free and downloadable from the iPhone App Store and through iTunes.
Industry news site TechCrunch reports Google's Search-by-Voice "...doesn't deliver perfect results yet, but as the app matures and learns everyones searching techniques, eventually it will creep closer to perfection."
Google is not new to the game in providing a voice recognition search service. Microsoft and Yahoo! already offer voice-search services for cellphones. However, Microsoft's Tellme service only gives specific information on maps, directions and movies, and Yahoo's oneSearch isn't considered as accurate as Google's app.
The Search-by-Voice app was originally due to be released Friday but TechCrunch speculates that approval problems and delays between Apple and Google pushed the release back.
