Google announced the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) at its annual Google I/O conference. Google Now has been one of the major innovations in Jelly Bean. Thanks to the efforts of XDA Developers for releasing a hacked version of the Google Now APK for Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) devices. Unfortunately, the voice search function did not work with the hacked APK. But owing to some more efforts of the developers, the voice search is finally working on devices running on ICS.

Google Now with Voice Search Working on Android ICS Devices [GUIDE]
Google Now with voice search working on Android ICS devices [GUIDE]. Image Credit: Google

"The app will use ICS's voice-to-text engine to get your answer, and then enter it into the Google Now v5 app from before. All you have to do is hit enter and then congrats, you've got working voice search!" explainsXDA Senior Member SilentStormer on xda developers forum.

IBTimes UK advises users to proceed at their own risk and will not be held responsible for any consequences.

Check out the instructions below for the voice search installation, courtesy SilentStormer

  • Download the "Voice Search for Google Now!" app
  • Either open up the app, hold down search or tap on the dedicated widget that comes with the app to launch the voice search
  • The app will use ICS's voice-to-text engine to get your answer, and then enter it into the Google Now v5 app from before. All you have to do is hit enter.

Google Now with Voice Search is working now on your ICS device.

Downloads

Download APK file from here

Download ZIP file from here

Download Voice App from here

You can visit the official thread at the xda-developers to get detailed instructions on the installation.

The things that are working include searching through the text-box, locations services, info cards, notifications work without modifying build.prop and Voice Now works through Jonny_G's app.

The Jelly Bean is said to be the fastest and smoothest version of Android yet. It comes with a major update to the Android notifications framework that lets the apps to display larger notifications that can be easily expanded and collapsed with a pinch or a swipe.

Android