SmartPhoneToday

Home | News | Reviews | Features | FREE Downloads | Forums | Compare PDA Prices | Compare SmartPhone Prices


  BlackBerryToday > News > Google Maps for Mobile Gains Voice Search Capability

Google Maps for Mobile Gains Voice Search Capability

By James Alan Miller
July 10, 2008

Click to View
Google's just added a cool new feature to Google Maps for mobile. Called Voice Search, the add-on allows you to search for businesses by speaking your query. It uses the same speech recognition technology as GOOG-411, Googles free directory assistance service.

Voice Search is supported in Google Maps for mobile 2.2 and by three BlackBerry Pearl models: the Pearl 8110, 8120, and 8130. It is also limited to the U.S. at this time.

The point of Voice Searh is to make it easier to search for a business when typing is difficult or out of the question, the name is too long, or when you're not sure how to spell it. As Google points out, typing may make more sense in some instances, such as in a noisy environment.

To download Google Maps for mobile to your BlackBerry Pearl, direct the smartphone's browser m.google.com/maps. Once that's done, you can use Voice Search with the application.

Here's what to do:

  •  Press "0" to center the map view around your location
  •  Press the left-side key and hold it while you say the name or type of business you're looking for (for example, "pizza")
  •  When you're done speaking, release the left-side key, and our voice recognition technology will figure out your request and find the business you've been looking for, no typing needed.

    Voice Search uses the current map view to determine the geographic area searched. If you'd like to search in the area directly around you, you can use the My Location beta feature, which helps you know where you are on the map, even if your phone doesn't support GPS.

    According to Google, Voice Searh is experimental. So, like with other voice-recognition technologies, accuracy should improve over time. Google says it is working to expand Voice Search to additonal devices and platforms in the near future.

    You can learn more about Voice Search and leave feedback to help Google improve the feature here.



  • Related Links:

  • Palm Introduces Unlocked Centro, Improved Google Maps
  • Google Maps Extended to Windows Mobile
  • RIM Navigates New Direction with BlackBerry Maps
  • Update: Google Maps Enhancements for Mobiles
  • Google Android Phones Debut at Mobile World Congress

     
     Printable Version
     Email this Story to a Friend  Add Your Opinion



    User Opinions:

       

    Be the first to add your opinion about this product
    Click HERE Now!


     Add Your Opinion  



  • PDA/Smartphone Newsletters
    text html text html
    X WindowsMobileToday X PDAStreet
    X Palm Boulevard X SmartPhoneToday
    X BlackBerryToday X Pocket PC Wire
    X iPhoneGuide      

    Other Personal Technology Newsletters
    X Sharky Extreme X WiFi Planet


    internet.comearthweb.comDevx.commediabistro.comGraphics.com

    Search:

    Jupitermedia Corporation has two divisions: Jupiterimages and JupiterOnlineMedia

    Jupitermedia Corporate Info

    Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
    Advertise | Newsletters | Tech Jobs | Shopping | E-mail Offers

    Whitepapers and eBooks

    Intel Whitepaper: Comparing Two- and Four-Socket Platforms for Server Virtualization
    IBM Solutions Brief: Go Green With IBM System xTM And Intel
    HP eBook: Simplifying SQL Server Management
    IBM Contest: Are You the Next Superstar? Join the "Search for the XML Superstar" Contest to Find Out
    Microsoft PDF: Top 10 Reasons to Move to Server Virtualization with Hyper-V
    Microsoft PDF: Six Reasons Why Microsoft's Hyper-V Will Overtake Vmware
    Microsoft Step-by-Step Guide: Hyper-V and Failover Clustering
    Intel PDF: Quad-Core Impacts More Than the Data Center
    Intel PDF: Virtualization Delivers Data Center Efficiency
    Go Parallel Article: PDC 2008 in Review
    Microsoft PDF: Top 11 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows Server 2008
    Avaya Article: Communication-Enabled Mashups: Empowering Both Business Owners and IT
    Intel Whitepaper: Building a Real-World Model to Assess Virtualization Platforms
      PDF: Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology with Intel Core2 Duo Processor
    Microsoft Article: Build and Run Virtual Machines with Hyper-V Server 2008
    Go Parallel Article: Q&A with a TBB Junkie
    IBM Whitepaper: Innovative Collaboration to Advance Your Business
    Internet.com eBook: Real Life Rails
    IBM eBook: The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing
    Internet.com eBook: Best Practices for Developing a Web Site
    IBM CXO Whitepaper: The 2008 Global CEO Study "The Enterprise of the Future"
    Avaya Article: Call Control XML in Action - A CCXML Auto Attendant
    IBM CXO Whitepaper: Unlocking the DNA of the Adaptable Workforce--The Global Human Capital Study 2008
    Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro: Web Conferencing and eLearning Whitepapers
    HP eBook: Guide to Storage Networking
    MORE WHITEPAPERS, EBOOKS, AND ARTICLES