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Google experimenting with voice search on Google Maps for BlackBerry Pearl

By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 at 1:53 AM

BlackBerry Pearl (8110, 8120 and 8130 models) owners in the U.S. can now use their voice to search on Google Maps. The speech recognition technology used is the same as the one on Google’s free directory assistance service, GOOG0411.

Google Maps for mobile with voice search on BlackBerry PearlGoogle Maps for mobile team argues that the new feature is very useful, especially in situations when you can’t type, don’t know how to spell the name of the business/street, or the name itself is too long.

To try out the new feature, point the BlackBerry Pearl’s browser to www.google.com/gmm to download the latest version of the application. Afterwards, follow the three easy steps:

  1. Press “0″ to center the map view around your location.
  2. Press the left-side key and hold it while you say the name or type of business you’re looking for (for example, “pizza”).
  3. When you’re done speaking, release the left-side key, and Google’s mambo-jumbo will figure out what you said and find the business you’ve been looking for.

One thing to note, though, is that at the moment this feature is experimental, which means the accuracy of voice recognition will improve over time as more people start using it.

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

  • PaulFrom1800Free411

    Interesting, but I wonder how useful the maps are compared with the actual directions written out — are those included, or just the map? In any case, this is nice for BlackBerry users only. For those without BBs, you can get a more complete range of listings — business, gov’t, and residential — via 1-800-FREE411, and you can have the directions to a listing texted to you immediately following the call. More practical for the majority of callers, I think.

    Paul