21 Jun 2011
Posted by robertboland 
It might not be all that groundbreaking for those that are already familiar with using Google’s mobile-versions of its voice and image recognizing software, but for unfamiliar users the enhanced searching tools added to Google Chrome may just revolutionize the way you scour the internet on your desktop.
Last week the multimillion dollar web browser announced the adaptation of its Google Voice and Google Goggle’s to be used on personal lap tops and computers. Voice Search and Search by Image will allow users to use speak-to-text technology to search for items and will allow users to use reverse-recognition technology to identify an image, respectively. To get better acquainted with how each new search tool functions and its uses, continue reading below.
Voice Search
What do you need?
- Google Chrome11+
- Microphone—installed on your computer or via a USB cord
The software recognizes at least 230 billion words and is more or less designed to simplify the task of searching for extremely long or hard-to-spell names/phrases. It’s also designed for those that are constantly on the go and may not have enough time to sit down and type. For instance, if you are in a rush and need to get out of town fast, you can look up flight times while simultaneously packing your bags—all you need to do is click on the microphone icon that is to the right of the search engine box and tell the computer what you are looking for and violá (note you do need to glance at the screen to obtain the search results though, the computer won’t read them out to you). Google also claims that it will become exceptional useful for those trying to translate foreign languages—Google Translate is a already one of the leading free translators.
Granted Google’s Voice Search might not be the best device to use when at work—you may distract your coworkers and other outside voices may disrupt your search results— but it’s a tool that can help you enhance your search results and make the whole experience more interactive when at home.
Search by Image
Search by Image, on the other hand, allows users to identify a photo either by manually uploading a photo from the user’s desktop, pasting the URL of an image into the search box, or dragging a photo from another web page into the search box. The software will then analyze the image, using the image’s distinctive characteristics such as colors and textures and then will compare and contrast the image to Google’s database of photos. Google will then comprise a list of titles and descriptions that it “thinks” the photo matches as well as showcase other images that are similar to the original photo. Of course there are kinks with Search by Image—results will heavily rely on whether it’s something really familiar, such as a famous landmark, and whether it is indexed or not. But this software is exceptionally useful for professionals and bloggers who need to identify a photo’s original origins or need to identify a location.
42 Comments
I will have to break down and try google chrome. I have always been a internet explorer user, but I love voice activated and search features too much not to give this a try! Thanks.
always good to know new and useful things. thank you Lauren for sharing this.
This is great, I already use Dragon Natural Speaking to write already because I hate
to have to type all the time. Google is very cool it’s always dreaming up new stuff all the time.
I have been using google chrome since it was introduced… I was more convenient using it and it is more easy and simple… I also recommend that to my friends and they told me it was very useful..
WOW! this is so cool! the voice Search and also search by Image, waiting to see what the next thing they will bring us. thenks for letting me know all this 🙂
Robert,
This is unbelievable!! I don’t use google chrome either, I operate safari. That being said, it may be worth looking into as the voice feature could save me a lot of time. Thank you for sharing 🙂
I’ve loved Chrome since it was first introduced. The voice search is really great (if you don’t have a toddler squealing in the background and skewing your search) and as long as your mic is even halfway decent, it recognizes you commands over most ambient noise.
I haven’t tried the image search yet, but I’ve been hearing a lot about it lately.
Delena
Wow…!!! no doubt- Google rock!!! and they will eventually take over the world 😀
Hi Robert and Lauren,
Thanks for the update! I’ve been using Mozilla Firefox and have just installed Google Chrome 3 days ago. I’m still at the introduction and getting familiar stage. I’m starting to like it a lot because it’s fast and easy to use.
I’m going to check out these two new features. They seem kind of cool and fun to use.
Thanks, appreciate the share!
I am using Google Chrome for last few years and it’s really a nice browser and google image search is also a good feature. Thanks for sharing this interesting post.
Thanks again and looking forward for your post on making more.
Hi,Robert,
Voice search and search by image are excellent recognition technologies and it was expected from Google to launch something as advanced as those features. I am sure in the future, they will prepare us even more surprises!
Hi…Thanks for the post you have shared to us…I know these two new features can help us especially me because I use google chrome as my browser…
Google has always something new for their readers . I like the voice search, it’s superb!
I guess their cooking something new again.. nice review.
Google chrome is best to use when you are working with many tabs. Though at times Google chrome crash. But I also love to try the new feature.
Google Chrome all the way !!
Google Chrome should really upgrade its features. Chrome is now one of the best and they should maintain that status. Therefore, they must overcome the challenge of advancing. I really admire chrome seeing how they become and struggles just to be in the top.
Chrome is good. But I think Firefox has more extensibility that chrome. Also, works cool.
I am using Google chrome since then because I am very satisfied with its functionality. It is very fast and good to know that it have two new features. I am sure it will be very interesting!
Chrome has already made life so much easier for all its users. Lets see whats in store for the future.
I love the idea of both of these features, especially the image search. I read something about this a while ago in a tech magazine but have been eagerly waiting for Google to make it available to the masses.
Among the new features of Google Chrome, searching by image is what I like the most. It is really helpful
Google chrome is widely used. I consider this as the best web browser suitable for me.
Google chrome is best.They seem kind of cool and fun to use.
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Google Chrome is very efficient to use and it is a good thing to know that it’s features keep on developing and progressing for the convenience of its many users.
Thanks a lot for sharing this update.
This was a good news from Google. It keeps on developing more features to let all users be more comfortable with using it.
Thumbs up for that..
Google Chrome is very efficient and fun to use.
Thanks a lot for sharing such experience!
Thumbs Up!
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That was a good news blast 🙂
Google chrome has done great development. Thumbs up for this.
No one can really beats Google. Celebration for that! Keep on updating!
Google has made it to new updates and changes again for the benefit of the users. It has been widely used and is trusted by many people on the web. Such an interesting post topic.
Google is known to be the most used search engine and it has gone far development and it keeps on offering users with its features that will let them feel convenient.
It is well-known to have the most users and has the biggest capacity and memory in storing data. And as time passes by, Google has always been creating name and updates to its user which is a convenience to us users.
Google chrome is best among the feature. Two Thumbs up for this.
Actually the voice search works surprisingly well. I think having a good mic, and low background noise is key. I’ve got this setup, flowing through my big HDTV and it works pretty good.
My friends are impressed at least 🙂
Google Chrome is the Best!
google is nice and it is very fast compared to IE7.
I’ve loved Chrome since it is so easy to use and the browsing speed is very high when compared to other browser’s. The voice search is really great and as long as your mic is even halfway decent, it recognizes you commands over most ambient noise which is the best everyone needs.
I am really satisfied about Chrome’s new features. I have been using Chrome as my main browser, and I’m happy that they did something great to improve the browser.
Cheers!
Dan Lew
Good to know about these new features. Google Chrome is best:)
Keep on updating.
I think voice search is one of the useful feature introduced by google. I had tried voice search but not yet image search will have to try once.
Google Chrome is good browser, but sometimes what happens it crashes automatically. Can anybody have solution for same?
Features included is really very good and Chrome day by day improving.
Voice control is a great thing but I just have this thing against using Google Products for anything other than Email and a Search Engine