Tech Tuesday: When Your Phone Actually Understands You
- jerrycooke87
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Last week we explored smart speakers. This week: Why talking to your phone beats typing into Google.
The Voice Search That Actually Understands What You're Asking
By Vivienne | Tech Tuesday
'Margaret' was typing into Google on her phone: "cafe dorchester dog friendly outside". Google returned cafés yes, but also pubs, hotels and other dog related businesses also suggesting some forums!.
Frustrated, she tried voice instead. Pressed the microphone icon on the right of the search bar, and said naturally: "Which cafés in Dorchester have dog-friendly outdoor seating?"
Google understood, and gave her a list of cafés with photos, opening times, and exact addresses. Several were in Poundbury—she'd walked past them fifty times so knew exactly where they were and what to expect.
What Changed? AI Voice Search
Old Google: Matched and searched using keywords.
New AI search: Understands the whole phrase, giving you more of what you actually want
This works on:
Google (Android or iPhone)
Siri (iPhone - massively improved in 2025)
Google Assistant (being transitioned to Gemini)
Gemini (is also from Google)
Copilot (From Microsoft)
Alexa (on your phone as well as on the smart speaker)
Many more tools
The Magic: Conversational Questions
Instead of typing: "Dorchester market Wednesday" Try saying: "Is the Dorchester Market open this Wednesday?"
Instead of typing: "Dorchester Poundbury Bus" Try saying: "What time is the next bus from Poundbury to Dorchester?"
Instead of typing: "Restaurant wheelchair accessible" Try saying: "Show me wheelchair-accessible restaurants near me"
The AI search understands context, intent, and natural language.
Margaret's Discovery: Follow-Up Questions
Best bit: You can have a conversation.
Margaret: "Which cafés in Dorchester have dog-friendly outdoor seating?" Results appear.
Margaret: "Which are the closest to Poundbury?"Google remembers context, narrows results.
Margaret: "Are they open on Sunday?"Google checks hours for those specific cafés
No re-explaining. No starting over. Actual conversation.
Real Poundbury Use Cases
Residents and Visitors are asking AI searches for:
"What are the best local events happening in Poundbury this month?"
"How do I get involved in Poundbury's sustainable living initiatives?"
"How do I join Community Groups in Poundbury"
"Where can I find local shops and markets in Poundbury"
Voice AI handles all of these better than typing on a keyword.
When Voice Beats Typing
Voice is better when:
Walking (hands full)
Driving (legally hands-free)
Cooking (messy hands)
Tired of typing
Question is complicated ("Find Italian restaurants in Dorchester with vegetarian options and parking that are open tonight")
You may need to ask a follow up question
Typing is better when:
You are somewhere noisy (AI can't hear you)
How to get started to actually use AI:
iPhone (Siri) : Press and hold side button OR say "Hey Siri"
Android (Google) : Tap microphone in search bar OR say "Hey Google"
Other tools or apps can be downloaded too
Speak naturally. Full sentences. Like talking to a person.
The Myth: "Voice Search Doesn't Work in British Accents"
Things have moved on! They typically worked poorly in 2018 but work very well now.
Margaret has a strong Dorset accent, but Google understands her perfectly.
Poundbury Insight
Our website data shows residents searching for:
"Things to do in Poundbury today"
"Events near me this weekend"
"Poundbury news"
Voice search handles these perfectly, often giving more relevant results than typing.
The Privacy Question
Your voice searches aren't stored differently to typed searches. Google/Apple keeps the search history either way.
You can delete voice history in settings and you can turn off voice completely.
But if you use Google anyway, voice is no less private than typing.
Your Turn
What do you wish your phone could help you find in Poundbury or Dorchester? Email tech@lovepoundbury.org with questions you struggle to search for.
Next week: AI That Plans Your Day Trip (Better Than You Would)