Google Maps learns new voice commands via Ok Google

If you find yourself saying "Ok Google" ever more frequently, you'll be pleased to hear Google Maps can now understand more of your commands, such as finding nearby gas stations.

Google's Answer to Siri is Star Trek

Google's first reaction to Apple's Siri was - as expected by any company not having a direct competitor to that product - to downplay it and say people weren't interested in talking to a virtual assistant. But, it wouldn't take a genius to imagine Google engineers inside their secret Google X Labs going into overdrive to bring something similar, or even better, to market as soon as possible.

And that may very well happen sooner rather than later.

Project codename: Majel.
Mission: to go where no man has gone before...

Star Trek fans will immediately recognize the reference to Gene Rodenberry's wife, Majel - which gave voice to Star Trek's famous computer.

Unlike a virtual assistant, Google's approach is not to make it sound personal, the voice being just another way for humans to interact with machines.

Well... as long as they can give it a sense of humor when someone asks their Android to beam them up, or actually implement a "Kitt, come and get me!" function for their driverless cars, I'm in! ;)

Android Voice Actions and Chrome to Phone

Google showed off some new features for their Android platform.

The first one is Chrome to Phone, allowing you to send any piece of information from your Chrome browser directly to your Android device: a link, youtube video, phone number, or any simple text selection.




The second one is a lot more interesting and amazing: Voice Actions for Android. These action take voice control to the next level, allowing you to call people, find your way to anywhere, write emails and notes, find any music you want, and even set your alarm clock - all just by saying it!



It really looks like we're finally getting to the point we're actually carrying "digital assistants" in our pockets... :)

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