Google Voice Search Function Finally Debuts -- and It Works Really Well

Days after it was expected to debut, a voice search function has been added to the Google application for the iPhone. The feature allows users to speak a search term, which is then transmitted to Google?s servers, recognized, then entered as a search term.

In initial testing, the feature works surprisingly well, easily recognizing simple, single words like "animals" and "cookies," and even complex phrases like "what is my dog thinking" (don't ask). In fact, despite our skepticism, this feature might actually be faster than the iPhone's onscreen keyboard for complex phrases. Add to this well-oiled functionality the fact that search results are displayed in an iPhone-optimized format, and the app's access to other time-saving features, Google's iPhone offering may have actually become useful.

Download the application through iTunes here.