Android gets impressive Voice Actions speak-only interface

by Steven Mostyn - Aug 13 2010, 09:18

Describing current mobile phones as “modern-day Swiss Army knives,” the boffins over at Google have this week added something akin to a handy communications corkscrew alongside the scissors, nail clippers and bottle opener already packed into the Android operating system.

In a move likely to make the increasingly popular Android platform even more intuitive, Google has introduced a new Voice Actions feature that allows handset users to extensively interface with their device through just vocal commands.

“Voice Actions are a series of spoken commands that let you control your phone using your voice,” outlined Google product management director Hugo Barra in an official blog post.

“Call businesses and contacts, send texts and email, listen to music, browse the web, and complete common tasks, all just by speaking into your phone,” he added.

In order to utilise the advantages of Voice Actions, users need only tap against the on-screen microphone button on the Google search box on their home screen, or press on their handset’s physical search button (if applicable).

This quick press brings up the “Speak Now” prompt screen, which then renders the Android platform open to spoken commands across a wide range of options.

Click below for a detailed (and really rather impressive) demonstration of Voice Actions by lead engineer Mike LeBeau.

Voice Actions will be available as a pre-installed feature of new handsets carrying Android version 2.2 (a.k.a. Froyo), such as the Motorola Droid 2 from Verizon Wireless.

Alternatively, Android 2.2 upgrade users can gain access to Voice Actions via the Voice Search application available through the official Android Market. 

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