Google launches Search Live for real-time voice conversations with AI

Google has launched Search Live, a new voice chat feature that enables real-time conversations with Google Search through AI Mode. The feature allows users to have back-and-forth verbal exchanges with Google’s search tools, similar to experiences offered by Gemini Live or ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, marking Google’s push to make search interactions more conversational and intuitive.

How to access it: Search Live is currently available through Google Labs’ AI Mode signup for US users only.

• Once enrolled, a Live icon appears under the Search bar in the Google app for Android and iOS as the leftmost option.
• Users can tap the icon to open a voice query window where they can ask questions and receive spoken responses with relevant source links.
• The feature supports English language only at launch.

Key features: Search Live offers several capabilities designed for seamless user experience.

• Conversations continue running in the background, allowing users to switch between apps without interrupting their chat.
• A Transcript button provides full text records of voice conversations.
• Users can resume previous conversations by accessing their AI Mode history.

The technology behind it: Search Live uses a customized version of Google’s Gemini AI model.

• Google plans to integrate additional Gemini features, including camera-based search queries that let users ask questions about objects in their visual field.
• The broader AI Mode is now available to all US users, even those who didn’t originally sign up for the experimental program.

Why this matters: This launch represents Google’s effort to compete with conversational AI interfaces while maintaining its search dominance, as voice-based AI interactions become increasingly popular among consumers seeking more natural ways to access information.