Apple vs Google: The Voice Assistant

by Justin Horn on Jun 29th, 2012 @ 12:36 pm

Have to agree with TechnoBuffalo here, Google has really taken their voice assistant to the next level. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple has something up it’s sleeve with Siri and the latest 2012 iPhone due out this Fall.

(via iClarified)

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



Comments Off
Andriod, Apple vs ?, Google, iOS, iOS 6

Google Voice now available for iPad and iPod touch, but no VoIP

by Justin Horn on Dec 14th, 2010 @ 11:17 am

Google Voice Blog:

At the top of the list was adding support for iPod Touch and iPad. Starting today, you can download a new version of Google Voice that lets you use all the features of the app on these devices, such as sending and receiving free text messages – except, of course, make cellular calls.

While you can’t use your iPod or iPad as a phone, you can use it to initiate Google Voice calls with your phones. We call this feature Click2Call. Simply click any ‘Call’ button in the Google Voice app on your iPod or iPad and then select which of your phones you want to ring. Google Voice will call your phone and then connect your call.

This phone call limitation is no surprise as the Google Voice app has yet to VoIP support. Not sure why this option isn’t available as the Google Voice platform added VoIP support a couple months. When using GV from a computer web browser, you can make and receive calls from the computer, no phone required.  Also, there are no red tape roadblocks in the way, VoIP has been supported on the iPhone and AT&T 3G for some time now.  I’m guessing the GV VoIP platform is still pretty new and they are waiting to firm it up before going mobile with it.  When they do release it, Skype could be in trouble.

They also tossed in a couple new tweaks:

  • When you enable Push Notifications, we will automatically disable Text forwarding for you, so you won’t receive multiple notifications.
  • Want some quiet time? You can send all callers straight to voicemail by turning on Do not disturb in the Settings tab.
  • We made it easier for you to place calls from the address book by adding a dedicated Contacts button to the Dialer tab.
  • Sending text messages is now more streamlined since you don’t need to press the OK button anymore.

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



Comments Off
Google, iOS apps

Official Google Voice app released

by Justin Horn on Nov 16th, 2010 @ 3:05 pm

Google Blog:

Earlier this year we launched a Google Voice HTML5 web app for iPhone users. Today we’re taking the Google Voice experience on the iPhone to a whole new level with the launch of the official Google Voice for iPhone app.

With this native app, you’ll continue to have access to all the major Google Voice features on your iPhone, like:
Cheap rates for international calls
Free text messaging to U.S. numbers
Voicemail transcription
Display your Google Voice number as caller ID when making calls

I never thought we would see the day! Glad Google is taking advantage of the new app store rules.

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



Comments Off
Google, iPhone, iPhone apps

Google Instant now working on iOS devices, you just have to turn it on (Updated)

by Justin Horn on Nov 4th, 2010 @ 3:33 pm

UPDATE It’s official, on the Google blog.

Started seeing reports on Twitter (first from 9to5Mac) of Google Instant working for some iOS devices. I tried it and had no luck at first. I started my search via the Safari google search, but even on the google page it wasn’t doing instant. I then went to the google home page and found the missing piece of the puzzle, I had to turn it on.

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



Comments Off
Google, iOS 4, iPad, iPhone, iPod

Official Google Voice app already approved?

by Justin Horn on Sep 28th, 2010 @ 12:41 pm

TechCrunch:

The App Store review office at 1 Infinite Loop has officially frozen over: we’ve gotten word that the official Google Voice application is on its way to the iPhone in the next few weeks. In fact, we’ve heard from a source close to Google that it’s already been approved — Google just needs to revamp the application to work with the iPhone 4 and iOS’s multitasking capabilities.

You remember the shit storm surrounding the official and third party Google Voice app rejections, with the FCC questioning all the players; Apple, AT&T, and Google. It seemed like all hope was lost…that was until Apple recently changed the app store rules and the third party GV apps started to appear in the app store again. Since then we’ve all been waiting to see when/if the official Google Voice app would be approved, and now it looks like it has!

(via iPhoneInCanada)

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



View 1 Comments
Apple vs ?, at&t, Google, iPhone apps, Speculation

Google releases Google Instant

by Justin Horn on Sep 8th, 2010 @ 1:10 pm

About Google Instant:

Faster Searches: By predicting your search and showing results before you finish typing, Google Instant can save 2-5 seconds per search.

Smarter Predictions: Even when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, predictions help guide your search. The top prediction is shown in grey text directly in the search box, so you can stop typing as soon as you see what you need.

Instant Results: Start typing and results appear right before your eyes. Until now, you had to type a full search term, hit return, and hope for the right results. Now results appear instantly as you type, helping you see where you’re headed, every step of the way.

Sorry, doesn’t work on iPhone’s mobile Safari just yet, but it does work in Chrome v5/6, Firefox v3, Safari v5 for Mac and Internet Explorer v8. I’ve given it a try in the latest version of Chrome and it’s actually pretty cool, too bad Google is Evil now.

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn



Comments Off
Google, iOS 4, iPad, iPhone, iPod

Next Page »