Talk Into the Machine: Google has updated its Mobile App to allow you to perform searches with just the sound of your voice.

Voice recognition is never perfect, of course. Being a shameless egotist, as well as someone accustomed to having his name routinely mangled, I self-Googled using the voice function. The search returned the following: Ben Boyd Choc, Ben Boyd Chuck, Ben Boy Trucks, and finally me. Google was a bit better when I didn't egosurf, but still stumbled here and there. I slowly said "Rialto," and I got back "realtor." Searching for the letter A--I wanted to hear that funny search voice again--Google returned "Spain." I find that the second or third try is usually successful. And, in fairness, I have a cold.

Of course, you can still search the old-fashioned way--a necessary fallback if the voice recognition software does not recognize your voice. As before, once you start typing, suggestions appear as a vertical list or as common search terms along the bottom of the screen. Pressing the Web site link takes you directly to the Web page via Safari, while tapping the search term brings up Google's search results page. You can tap a back arrow button to return to your original search page in Google Mobile App.

My earlier criticism of Google's other services still holds true with this update. Google eliminated the "Explore more Google products" button and replaced it with an apps icon in the menu bar at the bottom of the screen. But some key usability issues remain. Gmail is still a cumbersome mess and Google Docs are accessible only as read-only files, for example. The app is still useful for searching and that's about all.

A couple of other caveats: Landscape viewing will not work with voice search enabled because both rely on motion detection. And you need certain related apps, such as Google Earth, to take full advantage of the Google Mobile App.