Orion + Voice = Star Trek? 2006/04/14

John Battelle at least jokes that it might be.

Google received a patent on April 12 for a voice interface for search. They even have an offline version of a demo available here.

That alone would be good enough for maps and other information over your mobile phone and pretty much make “411” obsolete.

But, they have also acquired and begun work on improving Ori Allon’s Orion technology.

Hmm… so you query Google verbally, Google scours the web for all relevant information, Orion compiles that information into a single document, a computer reads that document to you…

Call Majel Barrett - this sucker’s ready to go online!

(well, maybe almost)