Technology Review: How Google's Ear Hears

Google has launched a voice activated search engine for the iPhone, one that has the promise of being revolutionary. Many will recall the scenes in Star Trek where the crew touched their badge and then asked the computer a question, such as "Computer, give me the coordinates of planet xe34htr." The day is not too far away when we will all be talking to our computers. So far, the voice recognition software has been less that impressive, but it is constantly improving and initiatives like this one of Googles will lead to greater usage and popularity. The new capability will have important implications for business, with, fortunately or unfortunately, computers doing more of the activities that people currently do. To put it in a more positive vein, although it may be harder to get in contact with people in future, it will be easier to get needed information. Technology Review: How Google's Ear Hears