Speak Now: Google Mobile App with Voice Search for iPhone

The new Google Mobile App for iPhone makes it possible for iPhone users to do a Google web search using only their voice. Originally announced on Friday, the release of Google Mobile App with Voice Search was delayed until today. Good old Google was simply doing more testing before the final release.

To use Google Mobile App with Voice Search,  hold the phone to your ear, wait for the beep, and say what you’re looking for. Google’s voice-recognition app does not understand British accents.

You need to speak clearly, otherwise the app won’t recognize what you tell it. In that case, it will prompt you to either  speak again or to cancel the process. Alternatively, it will bring up a standard Google search page with local results and a map. If you get frustrated, don’t swear - the app won’t understand you. “After you speak your query, Google Mobile App will return search results formatted for your iPhone,” explained Google Mobile engineer Mike LeBeau. “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.”

To automatically view search results from your current location, make sure Location Services are enabled on your iPhone. Suggestions appear as you type to save you time and you can launch Gmail, Google News, and more from one place. Search with My Location feature helps you quickly find local business, weather, and movie info.

Google is not the first company to experiment with voice-based search on a mobile phone. For example, Microsoft Voice Command is an application which can control Windows Mobile devices by voice. The first version was announced in November 2003, five years before similar app appeared on the iPhone. Price: Free (download).