When I wrote about the new features in Google Translate last July, I highlighted how the app could quickly translate to and from multiple languages.
I mentioned the Deep Neural Networks and algorithms used by Google Translate to improve accuracy and provide translations both on and offline.
I was impressed with how Google used neural networks to improve product features and user experience.
So last week, when Google announced improvements to Google Voice Search, I was excited to learn more.
Continuing their work with neural networks, Google is using new acoustic models for speech recognition in Google Voice.
From what I read in Google’s announcement, the models use an extension of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) with feedback loops which happen in real-time.
With the new models, Google Voice Search is:
…more accurate, robust to noise, and faster to respond to voice search queries.
The new search is available now on the Google app for Android and iOS. It’s also available for dictation on Android devices.
Testing the New Google Voice Search
I’ve used Google Voice Search a lot for research, money conversions, driving routes, and weather.
And when I tested the new Google Voice Search on my smartphone this weekend, it seemed faster with responses.
But I wanted to test accuracy with some different search requests.
When I read one of my favorite quotes from Steve Krug’s Don’t Make Me Think book:
We don’t figure out how things work. We muddle through.
Google Voice quickly displayed the sample chapter from Krug’s book as the top result, along with multiple reviews of Krug’s book.
Well done, Google.
I was delighted when Google Voice pointed me to the YouTube video of La Bamba by Los Lobos after I dictated two lines of lyrics from the song.
And for fun, I asked, Who are you?
Google Voice replied:
Searching for one self can take a life time, but a good place to start is classic rock.
with a link to the Who Are You? YouTube video from the rock music group The Who at the top of the search results.
Hah!
From my limited testing, it looks Google Voice Search is working (and having a bit of fun with my requests.)
I’ll continue to test Google Voice Search this week and see what other results I get.
If you haven’t tried Google Voice Search on your mobile phone, give it a whirl. I’d love to hear what your results are!
