6 useful applications of Voice Search

Google Voice Search has existed for quite some time now and may be associated with Apple's Siri. But as they say, don't compare apples with oranges - or Android for that matter - as each come with its own benefits.

For an Android user on smartphone and tablet, I have been benefiting from Google Voice Search. Here are just some ways to benefit from Android's functionality, which you can apply for personal or business use:

Try Voice Search for transcribing on Google Keep. 

Google Keep can be treated more than a note-taking or reminder app. Writers or even students can use Keep to type notes through its Voice functionality. Just make sure that your professor's or interviewee's voice is clear. You can always edit the note afterwards. 

I did a weird experiment back then of taking a voice note of a Korean drama by enabling Korean language under Voice Settings in Google Now. The note did not get all the words properly but the fact that Korean characters kept appearing on the note shows that it does work.

Try a hands-free search. For those who have Google Now enabled on their Nexus or smart devices, you don't have to click on the mic button to perform Voice Search. Just say 'Ok Google' and a notification sound will let you know that it's ready to take your verbal search term.

This is particularly useful for people who have their hands full - like when cooking. After saying 'Ok Google,' speak out your search term, 'convert 10 ounces to cup' and Google will dictate the answer to you.

Getting information on ingredients is useful too. With Google's powerful Knowledge Graph, you can search about any ingredient like 'cumin' or 'bonito flakes' and get Google Now to dictate to you the information.

Try hands-free search for tablets where typing is hard. 

Typing on tablets with smart keyboards is easy since it corrects your misspellings but sometimes typing on a 7" screen can be a challenge. You can always use Voice Search to spare yourself from seconds of tapping on your screen. Just be wary of weird looks when you're in a public place. :)

Google Search on desktop also has the Voice Search functionality but I think those who have touch devices may benefit more from this feature.

Instantly perform functions such as call, set alarm, directions, etc. Voice Search is not just for searching - you can also tell your device to do things like setting the alarm, calling a person, and getting directions without touching the screen.

Once in Google Now, say 'Ok Google' and use the following Voice commands from the Google Help page: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2842392?hl=en

This function can be useful when driving or just plainly multi-tasking.  

Allow kids to learn more from the knowledge graph using Voice Search in the local language. With the wealth of information found in Google Search, undoubtedly, kids can learn by simply speaking their search term. Here are some examples to try these with your kids:

• Get definitions spoken back to you: 'Define herd' 
• Get simple metric conversion: 'How many inches in a foot?' 
• Get answers to simple mathematical problems: 'Sixty-four plus twenty-two'
• Watch a video that you need: 'Show me a video of why rain happens'
• Get images that you want: 'Show me pictures of dogs'
• Get timezones for each location: 'What time is it in Sochi?'
• Get currencies of any country: 'What is the currency in Brazil?'

Just talk to Google Search and hear answers when you need it. Google has been changing its search logarithm to display results on question-based search terms when using Voice Search. So if you have a chance, try out Google Voice Search and ask questions the way you would ask someone else. Just Google it!