Google voice search expands language options

Globes reports. The upgrade is significant; until now, voice identification software could not handle Hebrew, and had to cope with Hebrew-accented English.

The voice search feature will be available for Android 2.2 Froyo and higher versions, as well as for iPhones. Users will be able to search the Internet by talking directly into their phones. For example, say "breakfast" in Hebrew, and Google will offer the search results.

Google developed the service in-house, and the company worked with native speakers all over the region, teaching computers to understand the sounds and words in the Arabic language, TNW notes. The final stages took place in the US, with Google speech scientists refining the speech models that were provided by the native speakers.

Using Google's speech-recognition technology, it's easier than ever to do a quick Google search in Arabic using nothing more than your voice. Testing the Egyptian dialect, the voice search was almost flawless, and is a huge advantage for Arabic speakers who want to get the most out of voice control features on their phones.