Google just launched Search Live across the U.S., bringing real-time AI conversations to mobile search. The feature combines voice interaction with camera feed sharing, letting users have back-and-forth conversations about what they're seeing. No Labs opt-in required - it's rolling out now in the Google app for Android and iOS.
Google just made search conversations as natural as talking to a friend. The company's new Search Live feature officially launched today in English across the U.S., marking a significant shift from text-based queries to real-time voice interactions powered by AI.
The feature integrates with Google's AI Mode and allows users to share their phone's camera feed during conversations. According to Liza Ma, Director of Product Management at Google Search, users can now "have an interactive voice conversation and share your phone's camera feed" while getting responses in real time with helpful web links for deeper exploration.
Getting started is straightforward - users simply open the Google app and tap the new Live icon under the search bar. The integration with Google Lens makes it even more seamless, with camera sharing enabled by default when users select the Live option from Lens.
This launch represents Google's most aggressive move yet into conversational AI search, directly challenging OpenAI's ChatGPT and other voice-first AI platforms. The timing isn't coincidental - Google has been racing to maintain its search dominance as users increasingly turn to AI chatbots for quick answers and conversational help.
The practical applications span everything from travel assistance to technical troubleshooting. Users can point their camera at electronics and ask "which cable goes where" without typing model numbers or specifications. For educational purposes, parents can use Search Live as an "AI-powered learning partner" during science experiments, with the system explaining chemical reactions as they happen.
What sets Search Live apart from existing voice assistants is its visual understanding combined with Google's vast web index. Unlike Siri or Alexa, which rely primarily on structured data, Search Live can interpret visual context and connect users to relevant web resources in real time.
