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Google Removes 'OK Google' Search Activation in Latest Chrome Update

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Earlier this week, Google released Chrome 46 with a long list of bug fixes and feature improvements to improve memory and power usage, but unmentioned was the removal of "OK Google" voice-based search activation.

As noted by VentureBeat, it's no longer possible to use the "OK Google" phrase to trigger a voice search, which has been a feature built into the Chrome browser since May of 2014. "OK Google" was removed from the Chrome browser on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but is still available on Chrome for mobile devices and Chromebooks.

okgoogle

Image via VentureBeat

Google removed the feature because it wasn't heavily used, and its deletion should help save power and speed up browsing as the Chrome browser will no longer need to continually listen for voice commands.

"OK Google" search activation is just one of the lesser-used features that Google removed this week. Also being nixed is the notification center, which Google says "few users" visited on a regular basis. It will be removed with the next iteration of Chrome.

Tags: Chrome, Google

Top Rated Comments

J
jpgr15
136 months ago
Good. Who would want Google listening to your every word anyway?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DIRSGT Avatar
DIRSGT
136 months ago
I liked it as I am too lazy to ty...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
APlotdevice Avatar
APlotdevice
136 months ago
I liked it as I am too lazy to ty...
If you're running a Mac then you've already got speech-to-text built-in. Just double tap the function key.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
unplugme71
136 months ago
OK Google, thank you.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Alenore
136 months ago
Good. Who would want Google listening your every word anyway?
They could as welll still listen even without OK Google. But, tinfoil much right?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
AngerDanger
136 months ago
I'll stick to Siri for hit-and-miss voice searches anyway, Google.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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