Google brings voice recognition to Chrome browser

Google has added support for HTML5 speech input into the Chrome beta channel, which will allow developers to create apps with speech-to-text transcribing capabilities.

The feature is easy to use and a stable version is expected to be released soon, according to Satish Sampath, software engineer at Google, in the Chrome Blog.

"When a web page uses this feature, you simply click on an icon and then speak into your computer's microphone," he said.

"The recorded audio is sent to speech servers for transcription, after which the text is typed out for you."

Google Chrome users can try out the voice recognition feature here.

The beta release also offers a sneak peek of GPU-accelerated 3D CSS, which allows developers to apply 3D effects to web page content, Sampath added.

The move comes as Google continues to expand its voice recognition services from portable devices onto the desktop.

Google Voice Search is one of the most prominent apps on the mobile side, and is available across the Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Nokia S60 and Windows platforms.

Meanwhile, speech recognition specialist Nuance has signalled its intention to increase its share of the portable market. The firm launched a revamped version of its FlexT9 app for Android tablets today.

Users are able input text by dictating, drawing, tracing or simply using a traditional keyboard.

However, with the app priced at £3.06, Nuance could find it difficult to break into this market as Google continues to introduce free voice functionality features.

Google already lets users dictate text messages and emails, call contacts, go to web sites, get directions and search Google without having to type.