Voice search comes to Google Maps for BlackBerry devices

If you were concerned that you didn't look crazy enough screaming into your phone at business associates, family members, and the guy who does your landscaping, Google has added a feature to Maps for RIM devices which should confirm that yes: you're a total maniac. Available right now for a handful of BlackBerry phones (8110, 8120, US version of the 8130) you can grab Google Maps with voice search, which enables you to find what you're looking for by pressing the left-side button and speaking the name of a business (or location, we assume). Sure it sounds convenient, but think twice before searching for hookers or cocaine out loud -- stock brokers, you have been warned.

[Via Gear Diary]

[Grey Acumen @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:37AM]

"pizza"

Results 1 - 10 of about 218bajillion for penis [definition]. (0.37 seconds)

[Henrik @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:11PM]

Let's just hope it doesn't yell what it thinks you said like the current does!

[theefman @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:39AM]

This is already available on MS Live Search.

[Doug @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:27AM]

Already available, and has been... for what... about a year now?

[FordGTGuy @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:02PM]

Yep I've been using it on my Motorola Q9C. It pretty much replaces the need to have any road maps as long as you have a connection to the network your good to go. I've also noticed that unlike the Windows Vista voice software Live Search on my phone has never had a problem with keeping up with my voice. Live search also displays local gas prices, directions, maps, movie times and more.

[Hamidxa @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:36PM]

Exactly.

Live Search has this feature and it does it really damned well.

I am quite frankly very impressed by Microsoft's implementation of voice technology into Live Search.

[Joel @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:37PM]

And for those without a smartphone Microsoft also offers 800-CALL-411 http://www.livesearch411.com/

[Amrit @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:44PM]

if i aint mistaken, even yahoo has the same thing for RIM handsets for about 4 mnths now...

[initialxy @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:46AM]

reminds me of that time when my friend was screaming into his blackberry and the machine keeps telling him "I didn't get that, please try again." that was so painful to watch, and we were at a mall!

[Skyride @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:40AM]

Voice recognition on portable devices always sucks because the low quality mics dont give enough definition to the software. The device itself cant handle a high enough sample rate.

[BratPAQ @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:01AM]

"search wal-mart"

100 result of "wall art"...

[Jash Sayani @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:28AM]

These things need to have a voice training software. Till then, its a useless feature. Typing on the search field is much faster.

[Hellios @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:06AM]

Blackberries are the phones the need this feature the least. I'd say iPhones and those LG touch-sensitive phones need this feature the most since it's incredibly hard to type on those things.

[Big Wizz @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:06AM]

"but think twice before searching for hookers or cocaine out loud -- stock brokers, you have been warned."

And ex-New York governors!!

[Nomi @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:10AM]

Anything for winmo?

[Ahmed ElDessouki @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:25AM]

A bill for a new BlackBerry!

[kjb434 @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:32AM]

WinMo already has this if you use MS LiveSearch instead of Google. Live Search had it available last year.

It is very capable program. Try it.

[Michael @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:15AM]

This feature on my wife's instinct is nice and I like it, glad it is coming to Blackberries.

[zfurie @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:21AM]

"locate stripclub near cathedral!"

"found 1 in Hobart, Australia"



--for real, google it up

[Jash Sayani @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:26AM]

Coming to iPhone by Firmware Update 2.1

[Tony Marik @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:35AM]

One of the funniest written articles I've read in a while on here, great way to start my day - read it out loud and got my whole office laughing. I could just see some guy yelling "hookers" into his phone a-la IT Crowd... "hello computer... hello..."

[HTCMogul.Info @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:36AM]

Will the windows mobile version get this?

[rock99rock @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:43AM]

OMG im going to HTCmogulsucks.info right now how awesome!!!

...

[kal326 @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:41AM]

Come Google update the Winmo software with this. I have an unused PTT button on the side of my tilt that would be perfect for this.

[Dave @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:49AM]

Great humor. This wit is one of the main elements that keeps me reading Engadget.

[andy @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:53AM]

This does not work for Blackberry 8320. Why? It should work just as it does on the 81xx series.

Yahoo! oneSearch has a voice search feature that works just fine on my T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8320.

[Nick @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:22AM]

Umm...I have this in my Touch with Windows Live Search so I'm pretty sure all winmo have this if you download the software.

[xtrmcheeze @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:23AM]

For the pearl only? I didn't see the ETA on a curve version...

[dagamer34 @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:14AM]

Stock brokers be warned? Heck, politicians be warned!

[Josh @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:15AM]

Location Based Services (LBS) are the future of the internet, at least for mobile phones. The voice recognition is just a part of it (and not necessarily the most important)

Here's a nice article http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=526&doc_id=157613&f_src=flffour on GPS and LBS future.

[bigazzknocks @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:07PM]

Google and RIM should get their shit together and fix Gmail syncing issues on Blackberries. Now that would be progress.

[goober @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:17PM]

I just installed and tested this. It works and was surprisingly fast. I think its going to be of HUGE benefit to me.

[Hamidxa @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:42PM]

Microsoft's Live Search already does this and does it exceptionally well.

Live Search also doesn't need any voice training (in case some were wondering), and it works brilliantly, whether I use it in the car, outside, inside, noisy environments, quiet ones, and even when you simply whisper.

Plus, Live Search also has GPS based maps, Live Traffic Info, Cheapest Gas Prices based on location, Movie Times and Info, Weather, and it integrates right into the phone, for example, if you find a location, you can not only map it, but also click on Dial from within your search and it will call them for you.

Got to give Microsoft much respect for Live Search.

[smmooreee @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:45PM]

....this wont work on my vzw 8130. what gives?

[Benson @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:42PM]

Just a random guess from a non-VZW user:

Verizon crippled your device, maybe?

[smmooreee @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:50PM]

idk if my post went thru before. Anyone know why this wont work on an 8130 even though they say it should? i have seen tons of people posting on other sites about it.

[Sparta @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:17PM]

With an ATT 8310, updating through Google's Updater or visiting the m.google.com/maps to update doesn't work. It gives version 2.2.0. You'll need to find the link to dl version 2.2.1 (in one of the BB forums) to get it to work, as I had to do...

[jason @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:17PM]

Ditto all the MS WinMo Live Search comments. It's MUCH better than Google's mobile maps, gets a GPS reading on my Moto Q9 about 15 seconds faster than Google, and has speech recog.

why MSFT isn't pushing this more is beyond me...

[Neo @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:52PM]

Is it as accurate as yahoo! Mobile Search? Its been out for months and is not limited to only maps.