Hands free: Now you can Google search by VOICE on your home or office computer
Last updated at 11:17 PM on 14th June 2011
Users will now be able to conduct Internet searches on their personal computers simply with the sound of their voice, without touching a keyboard.
Google Inc unveiled the new feature in San Francisco today, along with other technology designed to speed up Web searches and to make browsing easier on mobile devices.
Google voice search has been available for some time on mobile devices, but now everyone will have the option of searching via voice command from a regular laptop or desktop.
The only thing needed is a microphone (either plugged in or internal will do) and Google Chrome.
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Sounds of progress: Users can now conduct voice searches from desktops and laptops thanks to a new Google Chrome feature
Speak now: The voice search option appears at the right of the search box when using the Google Chrome browser
According to a brief Google demonstration video of the new feature, it is likely to be fairly robust, since it deftly handled such complicated test queries as 'pictures of the yellow-bellied warbler' and 'weather for Schenectady, New York'.
In the video, the Google rep said: 'If you can say it, you can search for it'.
That is, if you have Chrome, Google's web-based Internet browser. No other software will support the voice search, at least for now.
At a briefing, Google also demonstrated a new feature called Instant Pages, which allows certain Web pages to pop-up in a user's Web browser nearly instantaneously.
The company also demonstrated enhanced image recognition, in which users can do searches by dragging images into a box.
Additionally, Google introduced a revamped version of its Web site for mobile devices, which the company hopes will make it easier for people to find local restaurants and attractions.
Search giant: Google also unveils improvements to mobile search, which people are increasingly using
Google, the world's No.1 Internet search engine, said that traffic coming from mobile devices such as smartphones has increased by a factor of five during the past two years.
In particular, they noted that searches via mobile have tended to be strong during nights and weekends, when searches via regular PCs are lower.
Maintaining its role as the main gateway to information on the Internet is key for Google, which generated roughly $29 billion in revenue last year - primarily from search ads.
It has been known for some time that Google has been interested in voice search, as the company used a free directory assistance program to fine-tune its voice algorithms.
From 2007 to November 2010, people could dial 1-800-GOOG-411 for free voice-powered directory assistance. The lessons the company learned from servicing the calls helped shape their future voice offerings.
GOOGLE'S $280MILLION SOLAR GAMBLE
Google also announced a $280million investment in residential solar energy projects.
The Internet company has long expressed interest in renewable energy, and has invested money in solar projects and electric cars before, as well as wind power.
In its latest investment, Google financing will allow its partner, California-based SolarCity, to buy 7,000 to 9,000 solar energy systems. Fast-growing SolarCity then leases those systems out to homeowners.
SolarCity offers different payment options, starting as low as $30 a month for a small system.
But the most exciting part of the arrangement is that the user ends up paying an average of 10 per cent to 20 per cent less every month than their previous electric bill for their solar rental plus new electric bill.
That's because the solar system offsets energy use, making for a lower electric bill.
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