Is always-on Google voice search going to Chromebooks?
Perhaps it was inevitable, but it seems that Google is planning to roll out its always-on “OK Google” voice search functionality to Chromebooks soon too.
Voice search has been available for a while now, but according to developer François Beaufort, a new build of Chrome OS (the operating system that runs on Chromebooks) has an option that will set your computer to always listen – so you can voice search without having to press a button first. All you’ll have to do is say “OK Google”, and then your question.
Here’s how he says you can enable it:
“Try out the experimental new version of the “Ok Google” experience by toggling the chrome://flags/#enable-hotword-hardware flag. Restart your device, go to Chrome OS Settings and check “Enable “Ok Google” to start a voice search” to train your device to respond to the sound of your voice by saying three times “Ok Google”.”
Presumably this is only in a testing phase at the moment, and it will be switched on by default in future updates.
