Google Chrome has a Microphone

Google Chrome Icon

Image via Wikipedia

Launching the Google Chrome browser will show in the search box a microphone. If a person clicks on the microphone a small window appears directing a person to speak. If a person speaks then a list will drop with the word the program believes you have spoken and a person can proceed with their search. Great feature.

Scanning the topics here at dot-dot-dot.org shows programs are diversifying to include all segments of the global population. Assisting technology more and more is being integrated into mainstream programs. In the past those needing such assistance had to either pay at great cost or did not have access in their realm of the world. The possibilities are endless with this feature. As our population continues to age there will be need of these types of programs. Arthritis is becoming a major issue across the nation. Its debilitating effects makes the use of hands a painful experience. Having a voice activated search lets a person continue Internet access without affecting their health. Ergonomically, keyboards are not conducive to good wrist health. Carpal tunnel has been on the rise since the use of computers has increased dramatically. This feature would provide some respite from this agony. Young children can now do searches with a word. Handicapped people now have an open invite to search the Internet in a way that works for them.

This feature has been on Google browser for smart phones for a much longer period of time. Keyboards are tiny on a phone so having a microphone helps. Google practices inclusion for all. That leader needs to be followed.

Puzzling at Google

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Image by Bramus! via Flickr

Wonderful, whimsical Google is always coming up with ways to creatively use their search engine platform. They have done it again with their idea of A-Google-a-Day.

A-Google-A-Day is run by Deja Google platform. This platform lets a person search the Internet as it was before the present A-Google-A-Day puzzle appears. Mysterious I know, but its Google so just pretend it is a time machine going into the past. Besides its Google’s solution for keeping fast reading and lightening quick fingered bloggers from sharing the answer to that day’s puzzle before most of us have had our morning coffee. It keeps it fun like dot-dot-dot.org.

Daniel Russell who created the site states real time updates are excluded. He goes on to explain the purpose of the site is to get Google users to expand the types of text and questions they put in the search box. The Google search engine is capable of handling playful questioning and searching for information in intriguing ways. The term “social layer” comes to mind if Google is moving in the direction of creating fun little things to get people to make full use of the features, and at the same time establish an environment of social interaction.

Recently Eugene Lee at Enterprise 2.0 stated social layering is the process of socializing across applications or more accurately a layer that crosses multiple services. Interoperatbility is the key concept with protocols working together to let people engage socially across tools. The services instead of being separate hubs become part of a rich tapestry in which a user can pick a strand and follow their whims.