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Google Search App Brings Siri-Competitor to iPhone

Tuesday October 30, 2012 4:07 pm PDT by Jordan Golson
googlesearchGoogle has given its iOS app a new search feature that squares it directly at Apple's Siri. Google even calls it the "most advanced voice search" on iOS. Google gives a number of examples of how the service can be used.
- "What does Yankee Stadium look like?" Google will show you hundreds of pictures instantly.

- "Play me a trailer of the upcoming James Bond movie." The trailer starts playing immediately right within Google Search.

- "When does daylight savings time end?" The answer will appear above the search results, so you can set your clock without having to click on a link.

- "Who’s in the cast of The Office?" See a complete cast list and find out who made you crack up last night.

The service feels notably faster than Siri, recognizing words as they are spoken rather than all at once in the end. It even works on devices that aren't supported by Siri. One commenter on Hacker News confirms that the voice search works on his iPhone 4.

Google Search for iOS is available free on the App Store. [Direct Link]

[ 410 comments ]


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MasterHowl
83 months ago
Awkward moment when it's available on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4, when Siri isn't...
Rating: 59 Votes
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timshundo
83 months ago
As a heavy Siri user, I've been using Google's voice search all day and I'm pretty impressed. I've always defended Siri but this blows it out of the water for simpler requests (not maps/reminder/alarm/etc related).
Rating: 43 Votes
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clukas
83 months ago
This will make many iOS users happy who don't have SIRI on their iPhone such as myself!
Rating: 40 Votes
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Technarchy
83 months ago

And visa versa, in what world is it not a competitor though?


Siri is not just a search tool.

How many of these things can Google Search do?

Rating: 37 Votes
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sshhoott
83 months ago
Take that Forstall for not giving iphone 4 Siri!
Rating: 31 Votes
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buddybd
83 months ago
Holy **** this app works beautifully, recognition is far better than Siri. Not that I'll be using it more than I do Siri, but it's cool knowing this is going somewhere.

Beautifully done Google.
Rating: 26 Votes
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bushido
83 months ago
finally a voice that doesnt sound like an angry ex wife and its MULTILINGUAL. I can finally do the most obvs thing and speak english words to my german setting
Rating: 20 Votes
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Unggoy Murderer
83 months ago
I find it extremely amusing to see that Google produces higher quality Apps for iOS than it does for its own Android platform.
Rating: 17 Votes
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NOV
83 months ago

This will make many iOS users happy who don't have SIRI on their iPhone such as myself!


Which is a bloody shame BTW...
Rating: 16 Votes
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unobtainium
83 months ago

Siri is not just a search tool.

How many of these things can Google Search do?

Image (http://jaygoldman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/siri-list.png)


That's only because Google doesn't have access to the phone's settings, as Siri does. In every way, it's a better, faster voice interpreter. Google Search is phenomenal, I have to say that I'm worried about this little competition Apple has gotten itself into...they should allow Google to do what they do best (information and search), and Apple should focus on the things they do best (simple, beautiful software and amazing hardware design).

Apple is simply not going to win when it comes to information/maps and search. Not a chance.
Rating: 15 Votes

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