Android Users Can Soon Search Third-Party Apps With 'Ok, Google'

Google is now encouraging third-party app developers to integrate the 'Ok, Google' voice command for their in-app searches as well.

The search giant has provided a small code on Wednesday and is suggesting Android app developers with existing searchable activity in their app (if any) to make changes to the AndroidManifest.xml for enabling the search query using 'Ok, Google'.

"How many lines of code will it take to let your users say 'Ok Google', and search for something in your app? Hardly any. Starting today, all you need is a small addition to your AndroidManifest.xml in order to connect the Google Now SEARCH_ACTION with your searchable activity," said company on its Android Developers Blog.

The blog post also notes that this feature is available for English locale Android devices running Jelly Bean and above with the Google Search v3.5 or greater.

The company says that with the integration of this feature to a third-party app search, users will be able to use 'Ok, Google' voice command following the search query and the app name will eliminate extra efforts of opening and searching from the app. Google has provided a few examples, like "Ok Google, search pizza on Eat24" or "Ok Google, search for hotels in Maui on TripAdvisor."

As announced back in June, 'Ok, Google' search can also be performed from any screen if the device has hotword detection enabled on it. Users with Search app version 3.5 or higher can go to Google Now > Settings > Voice > Ok Google hotword detection, and check if the feature is rolled out to them or not.