Google Voice Search takes on Siri

[tubemonkey]

I tried out Google Voice Search on my iPod touch 4 (iOS 6) and man, is it fast. Can't do the Siri thing, because Apple won't allow it on my iPt4.

Google Search vs. Siri: Voice search speed test (video)

Google Search (Free) has been on iOS for some time, with well-known search capabilities, access to Google apps, Google Goggles for identifying products, and Voice Search. But an update to the app yesterday enhanced Voice Search with spoken answers, and it quickly became clear Google Search had an edge on Siri -- especially when it comes to speed.

[twowheels]

I tried it yesterday and was very impressed. I'm loving the competition between Apple and Google. I have to admit that it tempted me back toward the Android camp (though I have another year on my contract before I make any changes, so nothing to decide now)... if Google continues to improve Android at the rate they have in the last year I might be tempted to consider a Nexus device next time. Problem is, their stuff often feels like a work in progress and a good proof of concept, but missing the final polish before they forget it and move on to the next big and exciting thing. Kind of like the hobbies of an ADD kid. :-)

[dreams]

I love using it on my 3Gs and was surprised how fast and accurate it was for me.

[tubemonkey]

Why isn't this feature available for Android?

[paulsalter]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Why isn't this feature available for Android?

It is a feature of Jelly Bean and is part of Google Now

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by paulsalter

It is a feature of Jelly Bean and is part of Google Now

Cool

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Why isn't this feature available for Android?

Need to get out of the jungle a bit more

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

Need to get out of the jungle a bit more

It's a cool feature, but not essential for my needs. I'll check it out when I get my Nexus 7.

[sven31]

i tried google voice search on my android device and i was really surprised... there is this stiff competition going out there...

[ApK]

Originally Posted by paulsalter

It is a feature of Jelly Bean and is part of Google Now

You mean the microphone in the google search field, like we've had in Chrome for a while? We've had that on my wife's pre-jelly bean android phone for a long while.

[paulsalter]

Originally Posted by ApK

You mean the microphone in the google search field, like we've had in Chrome for a while? We've had that on my wife's pre-jelly bean android phone for a long while.

It's the google search app/google now feature

Does yours speak the answers back to you, if you ask it about the weather or if you have any meetings? and many others

On my ICS phone I have never heard it speak to me, but i haven't looked really much to see if it's possible

it's part of this, which is new to JB
http://www.google.com/landing/now/

[ApK]

Originally Posted by paulsalter

Does yours speak the answers back to you, if you ask it about the weather or if you have any meetings? and many others

Ah, I see. No, thing I'm talking about, you talk to, and it displays search results as usual.

[paulsalter]

Originally Posted by ApK

Ah, I see. No, thing I'm talking about, you talk to, and it displays search results as usual.

the voice recognition is very nice on iOS & Android with Google search

but for me it's more novelty value, i don't use it very often

[holymadness]

Much faster and much smarter than Siri, which I use a fair amount. If it had access to the system the way Siri does, it would be no contest. Even the voice sounds more human. Apple has some catching up to do.

I wish I could make that voice shut up, though. After one search, it spoke to me for something like 30 seconds.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by ApK

You mean the microphone in the google search field, like we've had in Chrome for a while? We've had that on my wife's pre-jelly bean android phone for a long while.

It's not quite the same. Pre-JB we had voice search, but JB introduced Google Now, which is far better than a simple voice search - it learns. For instance, if you look for bus schedules while at home, when you are at a bus stop it will automatically pop-up the timetable for the next bus. It will know when you're on your way home from the office, and will give you an estimate of the travel time, and so on.