Does google voice search work for you?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of Google's hands-free voice search feature. Participants share their personal experiences and strategies for improving search accuracy, exploring both successes and challenges encountered while using the feature.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports that the voice search feature does not work for them at all, struggling to have it understand any words.
  • Another participant mentions that they initially needed to adjust their headset volume and found that speaking clearly and limiting searches to two words improved their experience.
  • A question is raised about the accuracy of the voice search results.
  • One participant suggests that starting with a one or two-word prompt and then adding a third descriptive word can lead to significantly better search results.
  • A specific example is provided where a participant struggled to find a replacement lamp for a projector, noting that initial prompts yielded poor results, but refining the search terms led to successful outcomes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing experiences with the voice search feature, with some finding it ineffective while others report improvements through specific strategies. No consensus on overall effectiveness is reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences may depend on various factors such as device settings, environmental noise, and individual speaking styles, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

I_am_learning
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You must have heard (and tried) the new (still new?) google hands free (voice dictated) search feature. But It don't work for me. I haven't been able to make it understand even a single word till now. what about u?
 
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I_am_learning said:
You must have heard (and tried) the new (still new?) google hands free (voice dictated) search feature. But It don't work for me. I haven't been able to make it understand even a single word till now. what about u?

I've used it a few times. At first, I needed to increase the volume of my headset - then found it necessary to speak very clearly and limit search to 2 words.
 
How much accuracy did you get?
 
I found that if you start with a 1 or 2 word prompt - check the results - and add a 3rd (more descriptive) word the results improve significantly.
 
An example.

I wanted to look up a replacement lamp for an overhead projector. It's nearly impossible to purchase one of these bulbs at the retail stores that sell the projectors. If they can sell one they quote about $300 - because it includes the base/socket.

The projector takes an 82V 410W FXL bulb. The first prompt was "projector bulb" - bad results. Next attempt was "FXL bulb" - and it provided a few good results. Then I tried "FXL 82" and it found all of the suppliers with prices ranging from $4 to $12 per bulb.
 

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