Google allows voice conversation with AI chatbot in live search
Google's live search is getting a talking AI chatbot. This enables direct conversations with the Google app and is initially being tested in the USA.
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Google is integrating live search with voice control and artificial intelligence (AI) into its Google app for Android and iOS. The AI chatbot responds to corresponding questions in voice form. This allows free conversations with Google Search, with the AI using links from the internet as sources for its answers. Currently, only voice control is possible, but in the future it will also be possible to show the chatbot something using a camera.
Google has long been able to be asked questions by voice, but users have so far received answers in text form. This is set to change soon when the AI mode is also integrated into Google Search. Google is currently testing this in the USA with users who register for the Google Labs AI experiment. The distinction between this and Gemini, Google's own AI chatbot, which is also available as a separate app, is somewhat unclear. Recently, Gemini Live was distributed with camera and screen sharing, even for users without a paid subscription.
Free live search with AI chatbot
The live search with AI chatbot is also free and, according to the Google blog, is based on a specially adapted version of Gemini to be able to search the internet quickly in real time. The recently announced Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite could already be used here as Google's fastest and most cost-effective AI model, but the data company has not commented on this.
US users who are interested in Google Labs' AI experiments will find a new live icon next to the familiar microphone icon in the Google app. Here, too, the app expects a question in spoken form, but then also responds by voice. Google shows an example in the video, where a woman asks the app for tips on how to prevent a linen dress from creasing in a suitcase. The AI answers the question in relative detail, but further questions are also possible, such as tips for removing creases or the background.
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As the live search runs in the background, the conversation with the AI can also be continued if the smartphone user switches to another app. It is also possible to request a transcript of the conversation in text form. The chatbot can then be asked further questions via text input if the user wants to know more. A history of previous live conversations can also be viewed if these answers have been forgotten.
Linguistic discourse with AI is not new
Other AI companies have also integrated voice control into their chatbots. In 2024, OpenAI introduced a new voice mode for ChatGPT to communicate in real time. At the end of May this year, Anthropic added a voice mode to the Claude apps for Android and iPhone. This should enable “full spoken conversations with Claude”, but initially only in English and as a beta version.
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Google promises to add further live features to the AI mode in the coming months. This includes using the cell phone camera to show the chatbot something. The data company has not yet revealed when the live search with the AI chatbot in the Google app will also be available in Europe.
(fds)
