Google to Bring Voice, Image Drag-n-Drop Search

Google plans to make their search platform even faster by running new voice and image recognition programs designed to shave precious seconds off the entire search process.

Although it has been rumored for some time, it now appears as if people will be able to conduct their searches with a verbal command or by dragging an image into their search box. Dubbed 'Instant Pages,' the feature will also predict and pre-load web pages that users are most likely to click on for faster results.

Voice Command Results "Fairly Accurate"

While Google has offered voice search on mobile phones for a little while, this marks the first time that such a feature is available on a computer. Early results are said to be fairly accurate.

At the recent Inside Search event held in San Francisco, Google demonstrated the breadth of their differentiation abilities by proving that the search engine has the ability to understand the difference between words that sound similar, like Worcester (as in the Massachusetts city), and Wooster (as in the U.S. College). (Source: nytimes.com)

Multiple Image Recognition Options Available

Another interesting feature comes in the form of an image recognition search, whereby users have the option of copying and pasting the web address of an image, uploading a photo from their desktop, dragging and dropping an image into their search box or using Chrome or Firefox extensions to determine the name of a city (perhaps the name of the city in a long-forgotten family vacation photo) or information on a famous landmark.

Here's how it works: Google analyzes the fundamental features of an image (lines and shapes) and correlates it with results from its massive database of images. Google has said that the feature would shy away from face recognition, unless the photo is of a celebrity and already exists on the public web. (Source: guardian.co.uk)

Instant Pages is expected to be available this week in the beta version of Chrome, while the programming code is also available so that other browsers can incorporate it as well.