

New Google Search app#Part of the problem is that Google has rolled three related functions into one app, and gave it a totally new appearance. The new Google Search app (as Google calls it) is the interface that opens when you slide your finger up from the bottom of any screen. It contains a search bar up top, and if you have Google Now turned on, plenty of Google Now boxes. If you want to launch typed search from the search app, you can do that. You can also press the microphone button in the search field to launch voice search, a screen that's totally separate from the Google Now content. So to sum it up, Google Now and the Voice Actions interface are definitely both parts of the same Google Search app; just keep in mind that it isn't Google Now that's reading back your weather forecast.`

What Google Now does#Google Now refers to a new type of predictive behavior, in which Google taps into your current location and location history, to your calendar, and to your search history. As a result, it will dole out useful information when it thinks you want it, things like how long your commute will take, when to leave for your next appointment, the scores for your favorite team, and the time back home if you travel to a new time zone. All the information comes in the form of a card, and each card has its own settings, so you can easily customize each card. If that's a bit too Big Brother for you, you can shut off Google Now entirely. If you do shut off, you can still use voice search or typed search any time you want.`

Voice Actions seem so different from before#Google has completely redesigned its Voice Actions interface, and as a result, it looks and acts a lot more like Apple's Siri than it did before. You have the pulsing circular icon that signals you when to speak. It'll return answers to certain questions in the form of cards, and if you have your systemwide media volume turned on, the voicebot will read back these answers. This pertains to stuff like "When was George Washington born?" or asking about the weather. Voice Actions will also return Web search links and can launch other apps, like when you ask to place a call, listen to music, or get driving directions somewhere. You'll find more details in my Voice Actions versus Siri tests with Brian Bennett.`

Phone calls#It's easy to forget that these cool little computers we all carry around are actually phones. When you need to make a call, though, fear not: Voice Search has your back. You can say "call" followed by the name of anyone in your contact list to have the system place a call for you; if you have more than one number stored for a person, you can say the type of number you want - "mobile," "home," or "work" - after the person's name to specify which entry should be used. You can also have Voice Search look up and then dial any number you need. You might say "Call McDonald's on Third Street," for example, or "Call the Hilton in Downtown Chicago."`

Directions#Android's native navigation system is fully integrated with Jelly Bean Voice Search. Just tell your tablet or phone where you need to go, and get as specific as you want: "Navigate to 123 South Main Street" "Take me to Bank of America by foot" "Where is the nearest Burger King?" "Go to Wal-Mart with public transportation" [Not recommended]`

Celebrities#Voice Search can snag you all sorts of info about famous people. Try queries like these to get quick and easy answers: "Who founded PayPal?" "Who directed The Dark Knight Rises?" "Who's in the cast of 'Scrubs'?" "Where did Jerry Seinfeld go to college?" "Where was Jimmy Fallon born?" "How much is Mark Zuckerberg worth?" "When did John Lennon die?" "How did John Lennon die?" "What was Marilyn Monroe's real name?" "What movies has Scarlett Johansson been in?" "How tall is Scarlett Johansson?" "How old is Scarlett Johansson?" "Why is JR Raphael so obsessed with Scarlett Johansson?" (Note: That last one may or may not work.)`

Images#When you want to see photos of something fast, Voice Search is a fine place to turn. Just tell it what you want to see -- photos of the Statue of Liberty, or, I don't know, Scarlett Johansson -- and it'll get you a collection of images faster than you can say "sad, sad Siri."`

Answers#Still itching for more Voice Search action? Try variations on some of these questions: "What's the definition of 'taco'?" "What are some synonyms for 'smelly'?" "Who's the CEO of General Electric?" "Who is Marissa Mayer married to?" "Who wrote The Fires of Heaven?" "What are the dimensions of 'Starry Night'?" "When was the first episode of 'Cheers'?" "What's the theme song to 'Friends'?" "How long is The Dark Knight Rises?" "What is area code 323?" "How long is the Golden Gate Bridge?" "What's the height requirement for the 'Incredible Hulk' roller coaster?" "What's the slogan of HP?" "How far away is the moon?" "What's the temperature of the sun?" "What's the loneliest number?" "What's the answer to life, the universe, and everything?" If that last one doesn't cover all the bases, I don't know what does.`