Where is Google voice-powered search?

Reporters were put into a frenzy this week when Google announced it was set to launch version two of its mobile search application for the iPhone that included the addition of voice-powered search, allowing you to skip the keyboard altogether. But now the question is, where is it?

My colleague Josh Lowensohn reported on the application on Thursday, and duly noted on Friday afternoon that it still wasn't available in Apple's App Store. But as of Saturday afternoon, the application was still MIA. A search on the App Store returned only the older version of the Google Mobile App.

According to The New York Times, Google planned to release the free application through the iTunes Store "as soon as Friday." The application, an update to Google Mobile App, is meant to allow you to talk into your phone, ask any question, and the results of your query will then be offered up on your iPhone.

One reason for the delay could be that it has been bogged down by Apple's App Store approval process, which can take days or even months. Indeed, the Google Earth app for the iPhone took several days to appear in the App Store after its release. And Buzzd CEO Nihal Mehta noted that it took three months for his company's application to arrive in the App Store after it had been submitted. In other words, it's difficult for third-party developers to determine exactly when the application is going to be made available.

Perhaps from now on, when developers release an iPhone app, they'll learn to add a caveat that while the application has technically been released, it may take several days or even longer for it to actually show up in the App Store.

Update November 18, 8:20 a.m. PST: The updated version of Google Mobile App with voice search is now available from the App Store.

[benhomey]

Beats me. I've been eagerly checking the iTunes store for it to no avail.

[dascha1]

If you're looking for something more O'pen this J2ME app has been in the works since early 2000's. I hear it simply addresses core needs of content and users. Not sure what the upgrade has been since it was the cover story idea in THR/PWC back then though:

Mediabroker(r)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1869898

Found something they in the last couple of years with it:
http://a-m-n.com/public/papers/mbtech.html

O'therwise will keep looking and hoping for the Apple version soon.

[ballmerisanape]

OMG OMG OMG!

[g0rbash]

Seems to me that they said it would be released "As early as Friday." Which means to me that it could show up Friday or any day after that.

[sebastien.kalonji]

I don't really get the fuzz. Google announces an app they wanna distribute and Apple doesn't think it needs to distribute it that day Google said they would release it. Google is not Apple, so if they do a press release they should make sure Apple has the same planning. Why all these conspiracy theories that Apple bans it from the store? It's not because a company is called Google they actually go immediately to the top of the waiting list? Apple better treat Google like all developers and put the apps from google up when they feel ready to do so not when Google tells them to do so.

[sebastien.kalonji]

Why is my comment not online when I ordered it to be online? I gave a huge press conference about the post i was going to post on Cnet and now it's not there?! If I tell you my name is Google will this give me privileges so that all my post are online when I want them not online and not when Cnet wants them online?

[zenwaves]

my weekend has been ruined

[AppleSuxLeo]

Jeve Sobs removed and deemed it too competitive with Apple`s own apps. That`s what Apple is all about.

[sting7k]

Still no update. I have the google mobile app installed and nothing yet. I was telling some friend's about this when I saw the story and they are really waiting to see how well it works.

[bonesbautista]

Football's on. The weather's great in some places. Your friends are wondering what you're up to. The world didn't end. I read that a couple of really cool movies are showing in the theater.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Get a $349 netbook with Winny XP and do everything you want. Use Skype unlimited for $2.49/mo. at the free McDonalds wifi all over the OC ;)

[sebastien.kalonji]

Can you put a netbook in the pocket of your pants?

[oassaf]

Is that a rhetorical question?

You could put it in your pants, maybe not your pockets, but you could definitely get a netbook in your pants.

[solitare_pax]

It depends - it it the baggy, falling down kind of pants, or the skin-tight kind of pants that shows your butt is too big...

[ibeetle]

Apple and/or Google needs to speak-up soon in an official manor. The internet is quickly becoming all a twitter (no pun) about how this is all Apples fault. How Apple rejected the app. How the App was up but Google pulled the App because Apple made some sort of threat.

If you see where the internet is going here... it is all Apples fault.

This story is turning into the whole Opera for iPhone all over again.

I suspect. On the day Google submitted the application someone (right or wrongly) sent out a press release thinking hey they are Google the app will be up in a few hours. When in reality the app approval process can take a lot longer.

[ballmerisanape]

people are stupid.

[applehazelnut]

Just what we need... NOT EROTIC CAKES... AEROBICS!!! Stupid phone... :) Wait a minute... Is that what that store across the street from my daycare sells?!? Oh boy...

[Zarland]

Unless you can speak like a new anchor on CNN, you will have a hard time use this software.

[pssixsix]

So, I'm a bit confused. If I'll be able to do a voice search, why is there still no voice activated dialing? W/out it my 'hands free' is really 'nearly' hands free. I keep hoping the actual phone part of my IPhone will improve. Plus I'm in the Coachella Valley, CA where 3G is essentially non-existent, no service on 3G only E!

[Norseman]

Oh, noooooooooo!!!!!!! If it isn't here by Monday, the sun will come up in the west and water will run uphill!!!

All this hype for something that will help people dial phones in their cars. Yippee.

[jtgunderson]

Oh lordie I misread it and thought it said vice-powered search.

[lordshazam]

goog411 + pbx = best combo!

[Manhattan2]

Talk to Search and the Seeing Aid are 2 products Google should investigate partnering with. Keep an eye, an ear, and a tactile glove out for these new technologies from Sensible Ventures, Mitch Govansky and the team of developers have been very hard at work making products that will change the fuure. Real Change!

[johnericanderson]

iPhone, search Mike Hunt.