Google has officially launched Search Live, a new artificial intelligence feature that allows users in the United States to interact with its search engine through real-time voice conversations. The tool, which also integrates a user's phone camera, is designed to answer questions conversationally and is now available on Android and iOS devices.
Key Takeaways
- Google's new feature, Search Live, is now available to all users in the United States.
- It enables conversational AI search using both voice commands and live camera input.
- The feature is accessible through the main Google app and the Google Lens app on Android and iOS.
- Currently, Search Live only supports the English language.
What is Google Search Live?
Google Search Live represents a significant shift from traditional text-based queries to a more interactive, conversational model. Instead of typing keywords, users can ask questions aloud as if speaking to an assistant. The system responds in real-time with spoken answers, relevant web links, and information derived from what the user is showing through their phone's camera.
This integration of voice and vision is known as multimodal AI, allowing the system to understand context from multiple inputs simultaneously. This capability moves beyond simple voice commands by enabling the AI to see, identify, and explain objects in the user's environment during the conversation.
From Lab to Public Launch
Before this public rollout, Search Live was an experimental feature available only to a limited number of users through Google Labs. Its graduation to a full public release in the US indicates that the company has gathered sufficient data and is confident in the feature's performance and utility for a broader audience.
How to Access the New Feature
Accessing Search Live is straightforward for users in the United States. The feature has been integrated directly into Google's primary mobile applications.
To start a session, users can open the Google app on their Android or iOS device and locate the new "Live" button positioned just below the main search bar. Tapping this button initiates the conversational AI interface.
Alternatively, the functionality is also embedded within the Google Lens application. A new Search Live icon is available, allowing users to start a back-and-forth dialogue while the camera is active. This integration is particularly useful for searches that are inherently visual.
Current Limitations
As of its launch on September 24, 2025, Search Live is geographically restricted to the United States and functionally limited to the English language. Google has not yet announced a timeline for expansion to other countries or the addition of more languages.
Practical Uses for Conversational Search
The combination of voice and camera input opens up numerous practical applications that were difficult with traditional search methods. The goal is to provide assistance for real-world, hands-on tasks where typing is impractical.
Step-by-Step Task Guidance
Google provided an example of a user learning to make matcha. By pointing their camera at the various tools, they can ask, "What is this whisk for?" or "How do I use this scoop correctly?" The AI can identify each item and provide instructions in a conversational flow.
Other examples of how this could be used include:
- Assembling Furniture: Point the camera at a confusing diagram or a set of screws and ask, "Where does this part go?"
- Cooking Assistance: Show the AI the ingredients you have and ask for recipe suggestions or clarification on a step, like "Am I chopping this onion correctly?"
- DIY Repairs: While working on a leaky faucet, you could show the AI the components and ask for guidance on the next step.
On-the-Go Information Discovery
Search Live is also designed for exploring the world around you. A tourist could point their phone at a historic building and ask, "Tell me about the architecture of this place." Similarly, a hiker could use it to identify a plant or insect they encounter on a trail by simply showing it to the camera and asking, "What kind of flower is this?"
"You can also use Search Live while setting up a new electronic device, allowing you to ask Search Live where a specific cable goes just by pointing your camera at it," Google explained in a statement about the feature's capabilities.
The Future of Search Interaction
The launch of Search Live is part of a broader industry trend toward more natural and intuitive human-computer interfaces. By reducing the reliance on keyboards and text, technology companies aim to make information more accessible in a wider range of situations.
This conversational approach, powered by advanced AI models, suggests a future where search is less about finding a list of blue links and more about having a dynamic, context-aware dialogue with an intelligent assistant. As the technology improves, it could become an indispensable tool for learning, problem-solving, and navigating daily tasks.
The success of Search Live will depend on its accuracy, speed, and ability to understand the nuances of human speech and the visual world. This initial US launch will serve as a large-scale test, providing Google with invaluable data to refine and expand the service globally.