Google Piloting Voice Search for Google Maps Mobile
Google Maps Mobile is probably Google’s most actively developed mobile application. It seems like there are new versions popping up for one platform or another every couple of weeks these days. In the past few months for example, Google has issued a native S60 version updated several times, various versions that can make use of internal GPS, versions that can integrate with device phonebooks and Nokia Maps, cell-based location, etc. For the most recent feature addition, Google has decided to implement a bit of voice recognition. Sweet! A new version of Google Maps Mobile has been made available for the US BlackBerry Pearl 8110, 8120 and 8130 that allows users to speak their search criteria rather than type it. Voice search uses the same voice recognition engine as GOOG-411, Google’s free information service, so we know the accuracy will be spot on. Using pretty much couldn’t be easier:
- Press “0″ to center the map view around your location
- Press the left-side key and hold it while you say the name or type of business you’re looking for (for example, “pizza”)
- When you’re done speaking, release the left-side key, and our voice recognition technology will figure out your request and find the business you’ve been looking for, no typing needed.
These days there’s a pretty good chance that the rest of your BlackBerry-toting friends make fun of you from time to time because you’re still carrying a Pearl. Opportunities might be few and far between, but here’s a good chance to show them a little something they can’t have quite yet. Hit http://www.google.com/gmm from your Pearl to snag the latest build.
Downloaded it for my Sprint Pearl. Doesn’t work that I can figure out.
Already available on Windows Live Search which works on BB’s.
Loaded it on my 8320 4.5os and works fine…here is the direct link……..
http://www.google.com/gmm/apps/v2.2.1/en/BlackBerry-42/GoogleMaps.jad?make=BlackBerry&model=43&ver=v2.2.1&source=mobileproducts&hl=en&noss=1
I have 4.5.0.42 on my 8310 Curve with Vlingo installed. I installed Google Maps 2.2.1 mentioned over 2.2.0 it does not interfere with Vlingo. Once G Map is launched it takes over control of the convenience key only while G Maps is the top running program, send it to the background and Vlingo is will take control of the convenience key. With G maps running as the current app I do have a problem. When I speak a search phrase, it comes back and says it can not connect, however I can then type in the search phrase and it returns the locations and will offer phone numbers and driving directions.
did you download the new blackberry desktop manager 4.5 from the blackberry web site before you downloaded the new google maps 2.2.1
Thanks, downloaded the new software. Unfortunately I’m still using the Blackberry 8700 so the cool voice feature doesn’t work. The upgrade makes the traffic and map load faster. Hope to have a new model soon.
RL
http://www.photographyandthemac.com
My Sprint 8130 only opens whatever the side key is already set to (voice dialing). Been looking over multiple BB forum sites and 8130 users of all brands seem to be having the same issue.
I downloaded and tested it over lunch on a Verizon Wireless 8130. It worked fine.
I discovered a trick in my testing. It also will search for places (not just business names and types). I said the city and state I wanted, and it brought them up on the map. Then I would search for a business in that city. It does it’s search based on the map in the screen, not your location.
Woooaaa! My search of Waterloo, Ontario; then Research In Motion brought up job listings. No kidding! It was labeled as User Generated Content. It’s a sign from Jim B. Time to start polishing up my resume.
i’m still getting the old version, 220…guess I have to wait a couple of hours for the 8100
Yeah, as boogalooboy already said, this has existed on Windows Live for months already.
Plus, Windows Live offers real-time turn by turn routing directions when used on a GPS-enabled device, something that GMM has so far failed to offer for some odd reason.
Basically, Google Maps on desktop was revolutionary, but as far as mobile apps go Windows Live far exceeds them in features and performance.
Verizon 8130 here. I can’t even get the darn TRAFFIC to load on my phone ever — not to mention this.
No worko for me. Sorry. I wish Google would fix the basics first (like getting those traffic maps to come up) before adding other features that don’t work. Sigh.
Oh, and thanks VZW. Double sigh.
8130 Verizon user with 4.3.0.60 loaded, I have installed 2.2.1 Google Maps 3 times using OTA and tried unloading the previous version first, I am with Verizon and when I press the left convenience key which is set to it’s default use, I get “Say A Command” just as I always have, and yes I have Google Maps open at the time, I would love to know how other Verizon users have gotten his feature to work
I get the same error when using a 8130 on sprint.
I have verizon 8130 and have not been able to get it to work. I’ve tried setting the convenience key for different settings, from Default to Google Maps, without any success. I’ve also uninstalled and reinstalled several times.. no luck!
Too bad, i’d like to give it a shot!
8130 on Sprint here – no luck. Like other users, I reset both side keys to their defaults (right side key is camera, left side key is voice dialing). All I get is the female “Say a command” prompt, followed by a “Sorry, no match found” – and yes, Google Maps is in the foreground.
If anyone whose been able to get this to work could kindly tell us specifically how to do this – what your side keys are set to, and exactly what buttons to press after loading GMM, that’d be fantastic