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Home»BlackBerry News»News & Rumors

Google Maps Offers Voice Recognition on BlackBerry

by Devin Kent on 3 Jul 2008 12:40 PM
24
 

Google MapsThe team over at Google have updated their Google Maps app with voice recognition for Pearl users in the US. To use, just center the map on your location, then hold down the left side convenience key and speak a name or location.

Google cautions that the service is still experimental and accuracy will improve over time, but they're using the same software that powers GOOG-411, so they've got a solid base to work on. Hopefully this feature will quickly make its way onto other BlackBerry device models.

Has anyone with a BlackBerry Pearl tried it out? Let us know in the comments!

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24 Comments

Posted by howsbyr Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

I just downloded this and it works great. It will search on the actual name of stores or the generic version such as cleaners.

 
 
Posted by kbrown Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

why only for the Pearl? Where's the version for the rest of us BB users out here?

 
 
Posted by Morpheus Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

Ok...yeah voice rec is cool...but what about turn by turn voice prompts for google maps?!? I HAD to use google maps while driving in heavy traffic to find a place I never been to...on streets I never been down...and I was rolling alone, so no one to tell me directions...so I had to risk driving around and looking down at my cuve to figure out where I needed to turn and what not...

Give us what we really want Google!!

PS- Grand Central is dope, wish there was better numbers free for the 13642 zip code in NY...but awesome service other than that!!

 
 
Posted by Miz.Michele Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

I can't get the voice part to work. I had changed my convenience keys so the voice one is on the right. It just keep on searching my phone book hmmm. Neat idea though. I was thinking I could do without a GPS receiver.

 
 
Posted by Miz.Michele Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

I switched my left convenience key back to the default and it works great.....cool!

 
 
Posted by mpneill Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

Using the VZW 8130 the updated Google Maps works great!

 
 
Posted by rdonaldson Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1421 days ago

Tried resetting the convenience key, but no go. No response at all in GMM to hitting the key.

Currently using 4.3.0.81

 
 
Posted by MonteLDS Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

what is the version number of this new google maps w/ the voice

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

i just downloaded the google map app yesterday on my verizon pearl. it really rocks. while i dont have gps, it still finds me based on the cell tower i am closest to. you can even get driving directions this way. they arent turn-by-turn, but still f-in' cool.

i didnt even realize that it had the voice tech bit to it until i just read your post, but it works really well.

 
 
Posted by dasbeav Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

You have GPS on your phone, it's just that Verizon locks it down.

 
 
Posted by Jairo Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

so yeah i tired it but it wouldnt work right....oh well

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

It looks like that it doesn't work for the Blackberry 8100 either. On the google website site it said 8110,8120,8130.

 
 
Posted by mark45acp Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

Downloaded to my Verizon pearl...the voice part didn't work for me. I tried resetting the side keys but still nada.

 
 
Posted by ledzep59 Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

I have a 8130 from verizon and have loaded it twice and the voice recognition doesn't work. getting the voice coming on "say a command". Anyone get this to work on a 8130?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Jul 04, 2008 1420 days ago

I was having troubles as well with my Verizon 8130. This is what I did to make it work:
1. My current google maps 2.2 (you need 2.2.1)
2. Uninstalled my 2.2
3. Installed update 2.2.1
3. The left key must be set to the default (voice Dialing - go to Options / Screen/Keyboard to change convenience key)

This worked for me. Good Luck!

 
 
Posted by ledzep59 Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

I have a 8130 from verizon and have loaded it twice and the voice recognition doesn't work. getting the voice coming on "say a command". It then ask do you want to call, and list some names from my address book. Anyone get this to work on a 8130?

 
 
Posted by Ski Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 1420 days ago

Why not the curve too? : (

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Jul 04, 2008 1420 days ago

I have Verizon... not sure what to set the left side convenience key to. I am thinking maybe the GPS needs to activated? Do you need to have VZ navigator? Any Thoughts?

 
 
Posted by artie Friday, Jul 04, 2008 1420 days ago

At first I had the same problem as other people; the voice would come on "say a command", 'till I clicked on Google maps first, then pressed the left key and presto... Works GREAT!!Hope this helps.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Jul 04, 2008 1420 days ago

Tried it on a Curve 8320 and it works GREAT!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 1418 days ago

"Say a command!!!""" thats all I get.... I have an 8130

 
 
Posted by braxtoq Monday, Jul 07, 2008 1417 days ago

Verizon 8130, loaded 4-5 times so far, still does not work, changed media access for Google Maps to "allow" I am on a BES, is anyone using a Verizon 8130 on a BES getting voice search to work?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Aug 15, 2008 1378 days ago

Yeah I tried the voice recognition on google maps , and it works Fine!...

 
 
Posted by Gentry Friday, Oct 24, 2008 1308 days ago

I have tried over and over and I can't set my left convenience key to voice dialing. No matter what I set it to, it pulls up my address book. Frustrating.