Google is starting a new chapter in the history of its search engine. A revolutionary feature called “Search Live” is now being rolled out to selected Android and iOS users. This is no longer just a text box for typing keywords — it’s an intelligent assistant you can talk to in order to solve complex, everyday problems. Forget about dozens of open tabs — Google aims to get things done for you.

What Is “Search Live” and How Does It Work?

“Search Live” is a new experimental feature in the Google app that transforms search into a dynamic, voice-based conversation. According to Phone Arena, once activated, interaction with Google feels like talking to an advanced AI assistant that not only answers questions, but also performs multi-step tasks.

Google demonstrated this technology at its latest Google I/O conference (May 2024), showing how it can assist in real-life situations. In a high-profile demo, a user repairing a mountain bike didn’t type a series of separate queries, but instead had a fluid conversation with the search engine:

• First, he asked for the user manual for his bike and was immediately taken to the section about the brakes.
• Then, after encountering a problem, he requested a YouTube tutorial on how to deal with a stripped screw.
• Finally, to purchase the right replacement parts, he asked the AI to search his email inbox for old receipts to determine the exact size of the needed nuts.

This example perfectly illustrates Google’s vision: AI should become a practical tool for solving real problems — not just a gimmick for generating funny emojis or tweaking resumes.

How to Recognize and Use “Search Live”?

When the feature becomes available on your device, you’ll see a new, distinctive icon in the Google app — a wave with a sparkling star, located to the right under the search bar. Tapping it starts a conversation with the AI. Alternatively, it can be activated via a round button in “AI Mode.”

The conversation interface is simple and intuitive, adapting to your system’s light or dark mode. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find two key buttons:

• Unmute: Enables or mutes the assistant’s voice responses.
• Transcript: Displays the full transcript of the ongoing conversation.

The Technology Behind It

The powerhouse behind these advanced capabilities is the Gemini language model — Google’s most powerful AI technology to date. Thanks to Gemini, the search engine can understand conversational context, combine information from various sources (web, video, even your personal data like emails), and carry out logical, multi-step reasoning. This marks a step toward so-called AI agents — proactive systems that can execute tasks independently to achieve goals set by the user.

Important: Still in Experimental Phase

Google emphasizes that “Search Live” is an experimental feature. It is being gradually rolled out and is not yet available to all users. Moreover, like any early AI technology, it may make mistakes or generate so-called hallucinations — responses that are factually incorrect. It’s crucial, therefore, to approach it with a healthy dose of caution and verify critical information.

That said, the direction is clear. Google is aiming for its search engine to become our personal, versatile assistant, ready to help in any — even the most complex — situation.

Source: Google