John Markoff of the New York Times reports that Google is adding voice recognition software to their search software for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPhone 3G running firmware 2.0 or newer. Using the application, iPhone owners will be able to ask questions they would normally search for on Google and get answers, search for local data in their iPhone's address books, and be able to ask for directions. Although Markoff notes that the results can sometimes be total misfires, the voice recognition should improve over time.

People following Google's moves over the past several years will have noted that the company has been offering GOOG 411 replacement for dialing 411 for free since March. Part of why Google has been offering that service for free is because of all the data Google collects from all the people who call in and use it. Google has taken that data and used it to fine-tune its voice recognition software and to help create this iPhone application. The voice recognition information that Google will collect from this new application will no doubt continue to help Google collect data about how to improve its voice-recognition software and services.

Google says it plans to release voice recognition applications on other mobile platforms in the future. Although it may seem odd that Google released this application initially on the iPhone, rather than on the T-Mobile G1 Google Android-based phone, the larger market share of the iPhone means a larger number of users actively using the software and actively helping Google improve its voice recognition capabilities.

Apple is expected to make the new Google application available via the iTunes App Store as early as today.

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