If you think the Siri search feature on the iPhone is pretty cool and convenient, you might find it a little slow and clumsy after testing out the updated version of the iOS Google Search app, released on Tuesday. Google Search goes beyond the web browser search feature in iOS Safari by allowing users to make voice and text activated queries, as well as searches based on a snapped photo.

Google says the new 2.5 version includes high speeds in voice searches, faster and significantly improved voice recognition, and Siri-like voice responses to various types of questions.

To conduct voice activated searches, you simply launch the app, tap the Voice icon and state your query or topic. In many cases the results of the search arrive in less than a second or two—in the form of familiar text results you get with normal Google search results, and/or in the form of a voice assistance response, similar to Siri.

For example, asking “What’s the weather like tomorrow morning?” results not only in literal answer, but also a summary of the information spoken back to you.

For now, voice searches can only be done in English. Questions like, “When does Unite Airlines flight 900 depart?”or “What’s 15% of 47 dollars and 44 cents?” will get you voice responses, but queries can be made about anything. See here for other sample questions. Google says it will bring this voice functionality to other languages soon.

The Google app also conduct searches based on a photo you take of a familiar object or product.

Source: Google Official Blog