Google has created an offline speech recognition system that is faster and more accurate than a comparable system connected to the Internet. While research papers are usually very theoretical, this new system is already running and has been tested on a Nexus 5.
Earlier this year, a release of Google’s app for Android hinted at future ability to use voice search and commands without an internet connection. Offline voice commands could be used for a number of functions, and are now already be up and running for some Android users with the latest Google app installed…
It was only a matter of time following Google’s acquisition of home automation company Nest earlier this year that users would begin receiving the best of both worlds. One of the first marriages of each company’s products and services is Google Now integration with Nest, allowing for users to control the smart thermostat using voice commands.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWJaGrv5zy4]
Google appears to be testing new voice command controls for media playback. Available to some, this new feature adds commands like “Ok Google, next song” when listening to music. Based on the company’s big push for wearables, Android in the car and on your TV, this hands-free approach seems like a natural progression.
Setting a voice reminder in Android just got easier. In the past you’d speak your piece and tap a button to confirm what you wanted, but there had to be a better way. While this worked, the general idea behind voice controls is reducing the number of actual button presses needed to complete a task. Obviously aware of this, Google has silently added voice confirmation to reminders. It’s a minimal update, but it’s highly appreciated. After launching Google Now and requesting a reminder, you can now finalize things by saying yes. In the case of the Moto X, it eliminates button tapping altogether. Go ahead and give it a try.
(via Android Police)
Wouldn’t you like some hands-free Googling? Well, you’re in luck! The “OK Google” voice activated search feature is now available to all US Chrome desktop users with their language set to English. To get started, open a new browser tab, select the microphone icon in the search box and enable voice search. From that point on, voice activated search will be listening and will be available whenever you open a new browser tab and say the words “OK Google.” We’ve played around with it a little bit and we have to say that so far it’s been surprisingly accurate. Like all novelties, desktop voice search may run its course. If you ever need to disable this feature, go to Chrome’s Privacy settings and uncheck the box marked “Enable “Ok Google” to start a voice search.”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNBBijn4JuY]
Google announced today on Google+ that it’s releasing a new extension for Chrome that will enable hands-free activation of the voice search features it rolled out earlier this year. Google announced the conversational voice search features for Chrome back in May and has been updating it on various platforms since, but previously users had to actually click a microphone icon to activate voice search on the desktop.
Now, like on Android 4.4 devices and within the Google Now mobile apps, using the extension users will be able to simply say “OK Google” to initiate a search:
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Google just announced that the XE8 update is rolling out to Google Glass users and with it comes a new controls for video playback, a ton of new voice commands, and several new Google Now cards.
When it comes to voice commands, Google is adding integration with Path and Evernote and says similar integration is coming soon for other third-party apps:
You can now update your Path feed by saying “ok glass, post an update.” Similarly, sending a note to Evernote is as easy as saying “ok glass, take a note.” To see the new voice actions in your voice action menu, you’ll need Path and Evernote Glassware turned on from the MyGlass Android app or website. This is just the beginning. More Glassware will support these and new voice actions over time.
Another new voice related feature is the ability to add a caption to a photo or video by using the “ok glass, add caption” command. Other new voice commands provide hands-free navigation with commands to show route overview, hide route overview, and stop directions, while Google noted the release also includes “more fluid voice commands” in general:
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBYMDs_RFeI]
Handset maker Motorola Mobility may have found itself in an uneasy place as both Microsoft and Apple are attempting to block its $12.billion sale to Google, but the company’s marketing department is as vigorous as ever. With this week’s spotlight on the latest mobile developments showcased at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, the Razr-maker published three provocative clips on its YouTube channel.
The videos pit the iPhone 4S-exclusive Siri feature against Android Voice Actions running on three different handsets: The Atrix 2, Photon 4G and Electrify. In each instance, Siri runs notably slower (and therefore less useful) than Android Voice Actions on Motorola’s devices.
Both Android Voice Actions and Siri need a network connection to upload audio samples of spoken queries. The cloud does the rest–speech recognition, parsing your query and beaming down the results. With that said, the performance gap that these clips highlight stems from the faster 4G networking on Motorola’s devices and has little to do with the type of processor, the amount of memory and other hardware features.
Two more clips are right below.
