Google Search On Android Adds “Ok Google” From Anywhere And Audio History Feature

Google Search 3.5.14 is starting to roll out with some major enhancements in the latest update of its Search app on Android.  The most notable new feature is the ability to activate a voice search from anywhere within the operating system.  This feature was initially reported in April, but it is only making its way to the app now.

To enable this new feature, go into Google Now, scroll to the bottom, tap Menu and navigate to Settings, then Voice, then toggle the “Ok Google” Detection setting.  Once this has been done, you can prompt a voice search from anywhere in Android simply by saying “Ok Google” followed by a command.  This feature works anywhere in the O.S., even from the lock screen.  A user no longer has to be on the home screen, but instead can be anywhere when they decide to trigger a voice search.

For digital marketers, Ok Google is noteworthy for its effect on the future of user searches, with the potential for more people to be speaking to their devices than typing in their search queries.  With the explosion of mobile, this is going to shape new data and feedback on the way marketers interpret what people are searching for in the coming years.

Another new feature found in this latest update is called Audio History.  Google explains that it will now use your previous voice searches to create a history that in turn will make all of your voice commands and searches more accurate.  The system will learn a user’s voice, learn how they phrase things, learn how they pronounce words, and much more.  However, users can choose to opt-out of the Audio History feature if they have any concerns about retaining their privacy.

Google’s product support page explains the details of the Audio History feature further:

“When Audio History is on and you’re signed in to your Google Account, the words you’ve said will be saved to your Audio History when you do things like:

• Start a search by saying “Ok Google”
• Touch the microphone icon and start speaking

When Audio History is off, voice searches will be stored using anonymous identifiers and won’t be saved to your Audio History, even if you’re signed in to your Google Account.”

These latest updates to Google Search for Android may have a major impact on the way that users are interacting with the service.  The incredible ease of use may increase the usage of the product exponentially, although only time will tell just how significant these changes will be.