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Google Launches Voice Search Hotword Extension For Chrome

Posted by Unknown on from the always-listening dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google has launched the Google Voice Search Hotword extension for Chrome, bringing the 'OK Google' feature to the desktop. You can download the new tool, currently in beta, now directly from the Chrome Web Store. Android users with version 4.4 KitKat will recognize the feature: it lets you talk to Google without first clicking or typing. It's completely hands-free, provided you're already on Google.com: just say 'OK Google' and then ask your question." Quick, someone wire Pocketsphinx up to Firefox, or integrate Simon into Krunner.

11 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. So They're Always listenening? by Cornwallis · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "...it lets you talk to Google without first clicking or typing."

    EFF has been sending out stickers to cover cameras on devices. Let's hope they start sending out little cotton balls to plug mics.

    1. Re:So They're Always listenening? by sunderland56 · · Score: 2

      And, if one browser plugin can listen to the microphone.... well then any of them can. Look for a new wave of spyware, coming your way soon!

  2. Now google can oogle to your conversations by goombah99 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just as google reads all your e-mail, not just what you search for, to "help you" get better advertising. they will no doubt listen to everything you say, not just what you search for, in order to improve their service to you. It's all about you.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:Now google can oogle to your conversations by BobMcD · · Score: 2

      I agree, and this is also why I tend to unplug my Kinect when I'm not using it (or keep the Xbox powered down).

      Plus there's the whole 'turn it on by remote' thing, like the Feds do to mobsters via Onstar.

  3. First search by goldaryn · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Google, where has my keyboard gone?"

    1. Re:First search by Big+Hairy+Ian · · Score: 2

      But there is no Any key

      --

      Build a Man a Fire, and He'll Be Warm for a Day. Set a Man on Fire, and He'll Be Warm for the Rest of His Life.

  4. "OK Google" for iphone with google app by clay_shooter · · Score: 2

    You can also do this with the "google" application for iphone. They added in one of the last updates.

    1. Re:"OK Google" for iphone with google app by ArcadeMan · · Score: 2

      How about people who can't have Siri on their iPhone because Apple won't enable it for older devices?

      --
      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    2. Re:"OK Google" for iphone with google app by noh8rz10 · · Score: 2

      Maybe older devices are too slow.

  5. I'd use it... by slim · · Score: 2

    ... if I worked from home or had a private office.

    As it is, in an open-plan office, I don't want to disturb my colleagues, or feed them a constant stream of what I'm searching for.

    However, I've only just started using voice on my Nexus 4. I'd simply assumed it wouldn't work well enough, but I gave it a go when I wanted to send a text in a hurry -- and was astonished to find that it *faultlessly* transcribed "I'm on my way. If I'm not there in ten minutes avenge my death", spoken at full speed.

    So since then I've checked out the full range of voice instructions, and plenty of them are useful.

    1. Re:I'd use it... by JustinOpinion · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I agree. The voice-to-text is remarkably good: definitely at the point that it has become a tool and not just a toy. (I won't say that it never makes mistakes, but it's accurate enough that you can dictate a text message and only have to make a small number of fixes, making it overall faster in many cases.) The Google Now features also work well (asking relatively free-form questions).

      However, the 'embarrasement factor' still looms large: I don't want to use the functionality where it might disturb other people (e.g. at work), and I'm even self-conscious using it when walking around in public. (Yes, it remains ironic that we feel weird talking into our phones.) I also avoid using when my wife is in a nearby room, because of the "What did you say? Are you talking to me?" factor. And of course, I usually don't want to broadcast my activities for all to hear. As a result, I'm not conditioned to use the feature, and I forget to use it even in cases where it would make sense (e.g. home alone).

      I guess what I'm saying is that the adoption of these technologies might well be more limited by social convention, rather than limitations in the tech itself. I'm not sure if this is an intrinsic aspect of humanity (that on average people don't like talking to technology, despite what sci-fi has long predicted), or whether this is purely generational, and the next batch of users will be completely comfortable speaking commands to their computers/phones/etc. (in which case, the tech will no doubt have to improve; e.g. in order to only respond to the assigned user's voice).