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How to search Google on your computer without lifting a finger

Published Nov 27th, 2013 9:20AM EST
Google Voice Search

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Whether you’re on Team Good or Team Evil, it’s hard to argue that Google isn’t one of the smartest technology companies on the planet right now. It has an uncanny ability to find new and unique ways to ensure that its services are not just conveniences for users, but necessities that people can’t live without. Now, as if the word “Google” wasn’t deeply engrained enough in our daily lives, Google is working on tying its namesake to voice command technology as well. Android users can already trigger hands-free voice searches on many devices simply by uttering the words “OK Google,” and beginning immediately people can do the same on their desktop computers thanks to a new Chrome plugin released this week.

“Now you can talk to Google when you’re using Chrome. Hands-free. No typing,” Google wrote on the Chrome Web Store page for its new plugin, Google Voice Search Hotword. “Simply say ‘Ok Google’ and then ask your question.”

The new voice search plugin is a beta for the time being, but it works on Windows computers as well as Macs. Once the extension is installed, users can simply visit google.com from their computers and speak the words “OK Google,” followed by a search phrase. We have tested the extension and it worked perfectly each time we tried it.

The Google Voice Search Hotword plugin is available for free and it can be downloaded from Google’s Chrome Web Store, which is linked below in our source section.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 15 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.