The actions are carried out by tapping the microphone button or holding the search button and using commands such as "note to self," "listen to" "go to," "navigate to," or "map of."

Android phones have had the ability to search through Google via voice commands for about two years. And while voice dialing for programmed contacts is nothing new, Voice Actions will actually look up a number for you, then dial it after you check that it's what you were looking for.

Smart Brunch

"Let's say I want to get some food at my favorite brunch place but I don't have the number," says Mike LeBeau, the lead engineer for Voice Actions in a promotional video. LeBeau, wearing a bright blue Android T-shirt, then speaks the name of a Brooklyn bakery into his phone and it dials the number.

"Voice Actions uses the magic of Google Maps to find businesses fast," LeBeau says.

Michael Gartenberg of the Altimeter Group, who has tried the app, reports that Froyo devices --- those using the latest Android operating system --- are well suited for voice applications. "Google is working very hard to differentiate by incorporating more speech directly into the [operating system] for common tasks," he said.

Voice Actions is already available on the Motorola Droid 2 handsets released by Verizon Wireless on Thursday and on the Nexus One, which is no longer being sold, and it will likely spread like wildfire as more phones get the Android 2.2 upgrade over the next few weeks. Versions of Voice Actions may soon be available for other phones, Google officials said.

Helpful To the Disabled

Voice apps have been available on other devices, including Apple's iPhone, for some time, said Alexander Spektor of Strategy Analytics.

"Dragon Dictation from Nuance is an example of such an iPhone app; it's also free," Spektor said. "Aside from the novelty factor, dictation has an advantage for users with disabilities and consumers who are otherwise uncomfortable with typing long text passages on touchscreen keyboards."

But there are reasons for resistance, too. "Downsides include limited usability in noisy environments or in situations where privacy is required," Spektor noted.

Google on Thursday also introduced Chrome On Phone, a computer application that allows users to send links, videos and other items to an Android 2.2 phone, although the opposite feature is not yet available. Both Voice Actions and Chrome on Phone are available from Google's Android Market.