Search technology has transformed significantly from text-based queries back in the nineties to now, where there’s a wide range of interactive methods like voice, visual, and AI-driven tools. Here, we look at how these advancements are reshaping the way we search, with a focus on the latest innovations and trends in the search landscape.

The Changing Landscape of Search 

Search technology is currently undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by fierce competition between major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. While Google remains the dominant force (processing over 8.5 billion searches per day), other players are innovating and closing the gap by integrating advanced AI capabilities and new features. Microsoft’s Bing AI is increasingly incorporating AI-driven results to enhance search relevance, while Amazon focuses on evolving its product search and recommendation algorithms, positioning itself as a major contender in the e-commerce space.

The Way We Search Is Changing 

The way we search is also evolving. Voice search is becoming more prominent, with predictions suggesting that it will account for 30 per cent of all browsing sessions by 2030. Simultaneously, visual search, powered by technologies like augmented reality (AR) and image recognition, is emerging as one of the fastest-growing areas in search technology. These innovations are fundamentally changing user behaviour, as people move from traditional text searches towards more interactive and immersive experiences.

Competition Driving The Change 

The competition between these tech giants is intensifying, with each company striving to create the most seamless, intuitive, and user-friendly search tools. This has led to the development of AI-powered chatbots, AR search experiences, and personalised recommendations that are reshaping the way users interact with search engines.

Now, we’re going to take a brief look at the many types of searches currently available, each offering unique ways to access information and interact with the digital world.

Text Search 

Text search remains the most widely used and traditional search method, where users input keywords or phrases into a search bar on platforms like Google. Whether on desktop, mobile, or the Google app, this type of search allows users to retrieve vast amounts of information based on specific queries. It’s the backbone of modern search engines and is complemented by additional tools that enhance precision, such as advanced search operators.

Voice Search 

With the rise of smart devices, voice search has become increasingly popular. Users can activate searches using voice commands by simply saying “Hey Google” on Android devices or through other assistants like Amazon Alexa or Apple’s Siri. Voice search allows users to ask questions, perform searches, or control their devices completely hands-free. This is particularly useful when multitasking or when typing isn’t practical, and the technology has greatly improved around understanding natural language and context.

Visual Search with Google Lens 

Visual search, led by Google Lens, allows users to search using their smartphone camera. By pointing their camera at an object, text, or scene, users can instantly receive information about it, find similar products, or even translate text in real-time. Google Lens has opened new possibilities, allowing people to search for objects they don’t know the name of but can see. For example, by scanning a plant or an animal, users can identify the species instantly. This tool reflects how search is becoming more intuitive and integrated into everyday experiences.

Google’s New Video Search 

Google is further innovating with its new Video Search feature, which allows users to point their camera at an object or scene, ask a question about it, and receive search results in real-time. This feature enables deeper interaction with the physical world, allowing people to get information on what they are seeing, whether it’s a historical building, a piece of art, or even a consumer product. This development is part of a growing trend where the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds blur, making search more accessible and context-driven.

Image Search 

Image search has evolved to allow users to perform reverse image searches, primarily through Google Images. Users can upload an image or drag and drop it into the search bar to find similar images, verify the source, or learn more about the content. This is particularly useful for identifying things like locations, people, or products based on an image alone. It’s a key tool for anyone needing to trace visual content across the web.

Multisearch (Combining Text and Image) 

Multisearch is an innovative approach that allows users to combine text and image input into a single query. This is ideal for instances where an image alone doesn’t provide enough detail. For example, users can upload a photo of a product and then add specific descriptors such as colour, brand, or style to refine the search. This combination enhances accuracy, especially when searching for specific items or variations that aren’t immediately obvious from an image alone.

Video Search (YouTube and Google Video Tabs) 

Search has become more multimedia-focused, and video search is a huge part of this shift. On Google, users can switch to the “Videos” tab to find relevant content from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or other video-based sources. YouTube itself offers an internal search function, supporting both text and voice searches, allowing users to locate tutorials, entertainment, or educational videos based on their interests. As more content shifts to video formats, this type of search is becoming an essential tool for users.

Maps Search 

Google Maps supports location-based searches, allowing users to find businesses, services, and landmarks in a specific area. With text or voice input, users can search for restaurants, shops, or attractions, while accessing additional features like reviews, photos, and directions. This has become an essential tool for daily life, integrating geographic data with business information, helping people navigate their world with ease.

Hum to Search

If you’re thinking of a song, Google allows you to hum, whistle, or sing the melody, and it can identify the song for you. Note, we have largely focused on Google for this text, although there are other specific platforms that allow users to search for specific sounds to identify their origin, such as identifying a species of bird via its birdsong (e.g. BirdNET or ChirpOMatic). Other specialist platforms doubtless exist for other animals and/or sources of noise.

Shopping Search 

Google Shopping is another popular tool, helping users compare products, prices, and store availability. This search method is increasingly tied to AR (Augmented Reality) tools, where users can visualise products in their space before purchasing. Shoppers can now search for items, filter results based on price, location, or store, and even see product reviews and specifications. The combination of search with AR enhances the shopping experience, making it more immersive and informed.

In-App Search on Mobile Devices 

On Android devices, in-app search allows users to locate content within specific apps directly from the Google search app. This includes finding emails, documents, or social media posts without switching between apps. It’s an efficient way to manage information across multiple platforms, ensuring users can access relevant data without leaving the search interface.

AR Search for 3D Objects 

Augmented Reality (AR) Search has become a notable development, particularly in fields like education and e-commerce. Using Google AR, users can view 3D models of search results, such as animals, historical artifacts, or even products. This type of search is highly interactive, allowing people to see life-like models of objects in their real environment, enhancing the depth of the search experience.

Discover (Content Recommendations) 

Google Discover shifts the search paradigm by offering content without the need for a direct query. This feature curates articles, videos, and other content based on a user’s interests and search history, presenting it in a personalised feed. It’s a proactive search tool, constantly updating to present users with new and relevant content as their interests evolve.

AI-Powered Search Using Chatbots 

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat, have revolutionised search by offering conversational interfaces. Rather than simply retrieving links, these chatbots can generate detailed responses, summarise information, and offer personalised recommendations. For example, users can ask ChatGPT to find information on a specific topic and receive a coherent, natural-language answer, instead of browsing through multiple web pages. These AI tools are rapidly improving, offering new ways to search, especially for more complex, nuanced questions that traditional search engines might struggle with.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The ongoing evolution of search technology presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses aiming to stay visible in this increasingly diverse landscape. As the methods people use to search diversify, companies must adapt their strategies to ensure they can still be easily found across all platforms and search types. It’s no longer enough to rely solely on traditional SEO tactics focused on text-based searches. To maintain or enhance their visibility, businesses now need to consider how they are appearing in voice, visual, and AI-driven searches, as well as adapting to the rise of augmented reality and interactive search experiences.

Voice search, in particular, has significant implications for businesses. As more users turn to devices like smart speakers and mobile assistants to ask questions and perform searches, optimising for voice queries is becoming more important. Voice searches tend to be more conversational and question-based, which means businesses need to adapt their content strategies to capture these queries effectively. For example, having concise, easily digestible answers to common questions about their products or services can help businesses rank higher in voice search results.

Similarly, visual search tools like Google Lens and augmented reality searches are transforming how consumers discover products. Retailers and brands need to ensure that their product images are optimised for visual search. High-quality visuals, detailed metadata, and clear product descriptions can help ensure that when users point their cameras at a product, the brand’s offering appears in search results. Also, augmented reality features, such as those in Google Shopping, allow consumers to visualise products in their environment before purchasing. Businesses that invest in AR-ready content and experiences can now tap into a growing consumer base that values immersive, real-time interactions.

The growing importance of AI-powered chatbots in search also means businesses will need to rethink how they engage with potential customers. AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat provide more in-depth, conversational responses, making it essential for businesses to have well-structured and informative content that these systems can draw from. This means producing detailed yet user-friendly content that provides value and can be referenced by AI systems to give consumers the answers they seek.

For businesses operating in local markets, optimising for Google Maps and local searches is critical. Consumers increasingly rely on location-based searches to find services, restaurants, shops, and more. Ensuring that business listings are accurate, up to date, and include reviews, photos, and essential details is key to capturing local search traffic. Furthermore, investing in local SEO strategies to appear in voice searches for location-based queries will become increasingly important as consumers use voice assistants to find nearby services.

Online marketplace eBay has announced that starting Tuesday 1 October 2024, private sellers will not pay transaction fees when they sell items on eBay.co.uk.

Like Germany 

In its online announcement of the change, eBay highlighted how it recently launched a similar free-to-sell programme in Germany, with the result reportedly being that many new customers joined eBay to start selling (and buying). In fact, eBay says, “Hundreds of thousands of them started buying” and that “they ended up buying twice as much as buyers who don’t sell”.

Why? 

There are several reasons why eBay has removed the fees for private sellers, the main reasons being:

– As a response to growing competition. For example, eBay is reacting to increased competition from newer platforms like Depop and Vinted. These platforms have captured significant market share by allowing users to sell pre-owned goods, particularly fashion items, without charging seller fees. To remain competitive, eBay is adopting a similar approach to reduce seller costs.

– Expansion of its previous initiatives. Back in April this year, for example, eBay removed fees for private sellers of pre-owned fashion items, which led to a notable increase in listings. Seeing success in that category may have contributed to eBay expanding the fee removal across almost all categories to attract more sellers and increase listings on the platform.

– To encourage both second-hand sales and sustainability. A survey conducted for eBay showed that there are millions of unused items (an estimated 294 million) across UK households, representing as much as an estimated £9 billion in potential resale value. By removing fees, eBay aims to encourage people to sell unused items, thereby not only helping eBay boost and retain customer numbers but also contributing to sustainability by keeping items out of landfills.

– Increased inventory and user engagement. It appears that the move is also designed to boost the volume and variety of items listed on eBay, thereby enhancing the buying experience. For example, more sellers and more diverse inventory may lead to more buyers engaging with the platform, driving a broader customer-to-customer (C2C) marketplace.

– As part of eBay’s long-term monetisation strategy. Although eBay is waiving UK private seller fees, it could potentially monetise the transactions through other means, such as advertising, enhanced listing services, or buyer-facing fees (similar to Vinted’s model). This approach lowers barriers for sellers while opening up new revenue streams.

Exception 

The removal of sellers’ fees will, however, not apply to motors: Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles listings.

Other Benefits 

In the same announcement, alongside the removal of transaction fees for UK private sellers, eBay highlighted several other new benefits its introducing to improve the marketplace for both private and business sellers, while keeping the platform competitive. These are:

– Fraudulent returns protection for business sellers, i.e. enhanced support to handle fraudulent returns more effectively, including quicker resolutions and additional postage credits for false claims.

– Seller clinics. For example, business sellers can now access free one-on-one advice from a Marketplace Advisor for personalised business guidance.

– From October 16, eBay Balance for private sellers, whereby, private sellers’ earnings will go directly into an “eBay Balance” for easier management, with quarterly automatic transfers to bank accounts or manual withdrawals on request.

– A crackdown on false private sellers, i.e. eBay says it’s increasing efforts to ensure that business sellers using private accounts transition to business accounts, with tighter monitoring and reduced free listings for private accounts.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

With these changes, eBay is positioning itself to stay competitive within what has become an increasingly crowded online marketplace, while also reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and user engagement. By eliminating transaction fees for private sellers in the UK, eBay is not only responding to rising competition from platforms like Depop and Vinted, but also actively encouraging the resale of unused items, a move that could significantly boost listings across various categories. This, in turn, could enhance the overall buying experience on eBay by offering greater inventory variety and more opportunities for buyer-seller interaction.

Also, it could be said that the fee removal aligns with eBay’s broader sustainability goals, encouraging the reuse of goods and helping reduce waste. The combination of free listings and new seller support initiatives (such as eBay Balance and enhanced protections for business sellers) appears to suggest that eBay is focusing on creating a more seller-friendly environment while exploring alternative revenue streams.

While the eBay platform still faces the challenge of differentiating itself from a growing number of increasingly powerful competitors, eBay will be hoping that these changes could provide the boost needed to attract new sellers, retain loyal users, and expand its role in the second-hand economy.

ChatGPT’s creator and Microsoft-backed start-up OpenAI has announced the introduction of its new (beta) Realtime API tool which enables developers to create AI voice applications using a single set of instructions.

Multiple Steps Now Reduced To One Step 

The ‘Realtime API’ tool simplifies the process of creating AI-driven voice applications by integrating what used to be multiple steps – speech recognition, text generation, and speech synthesis – into a single API call.

Previously 

Previously, developers creating voice assistants had to navigate a multi-step process, starting with transcribing audio using automatic speech recognition tools like Whisper, then passing the text to a language model for processing and generating responses, and finally converting the output back to speech using a separate text-to-speech model. This approach often led to issues such as the loss of emotional nuance, accents, and emphasis, while also introducing noticeable latency that made the interaction slower and less natural than human conversation.

The Benefits 

The ability of the new Realtime API tool to reduce the process to a single API call significantly improves efficiency by lowering latency, preserving the natural flow of conversation, and simplifying development, enabling faster and more seamless voice interactions.

How Does Realtime API Work? 

The Realtime API tool works by establishing a persistent WebSocket connection that allows seamless message exchange with OpenAI’s GPT-4o model. This enables real-time, continuous communication, making it particularly useful for voice assistant applications. The API supports function calling, allowing the voice assistant to perform actions like placing orders or retrieving user-specific information for personalised responses. For example, a voice assistant could pull up a customer’s profile to tailor its conversation or execute tasks based on user input without switching between multiple models or systems, thereby streamlining the interaction for faster, more natural experiences.

Business Benefit for OpenAI 

Also, OpenAI’s rollout of advanced tools like the Realtime API is crucial for businesses that rely on its services to develop AI applications, which contribute significantly to OpenAI’s revenue. Creating a tool that makes it easier for companies to create efficient, cutting-edge solutions, reducing costs and development time therefore also helps OpenAI to retain clients and attract new business in a competitive market.

When And How Much? 

OpenAI says Realtime API began rolling out October 1 in public beta to all paid developers.

Pricewise, OpenAI says the Realtime API uses both text tokens and audio tokens, with text input tokens priced at $5 per 1M and $20 per 1M output tokens. Audio input is priced at $100 per 1M tokens and output is $200 per 1M tokens. OpenAI says this equates to approximately $0.06 per minute of audio input and $0.24 per minute of audio output.

How Is It For Privacy and Security? 

The Realtime API ensures safety and privacy through multiple layers of protection, including automated monitoring and human review of flagged inputs. It uses the same audio safety infrastructure as ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode and OpenAI says it’s been rigorously tested to prevent high-risk gaps. OpenAI says it enforces strict usage policies, prohibiting harmful use like spam, and requires transparency in AI interactions and that user data is not used for model training without explicit permission.

How Can Developers Try It? 

OpenAI says, to get started with the Realtime API, developers can begin building by accessing the Playground (OpenAI’s web-based testing environment), using OpenAI’s documentation, and the reference client. Also, OpenAI says client libraries for essential audio components like echo cancellation and sound isolation have been developed in collaboration with LiveKit and Agora, and Twilio has also integrated the Realtime API with its Voice APIs, allowing seamless deployment of AI virtual agents for voice interactions.

Future Plans For Realtime AI 

Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to expand the Realtime API by adding new capabilities. Initially focused on voice, future updates will introduce additional modalities such as vision and video. They also plan to increase rate limits to accommodate larger deployments and integrate official SDK support for Python and Node.js. Other upcoming features include prompt caching to reduce costs and support for GPT-4o mini, enabling developers to create even more efficient application.

Other Very Good News For OpenAI 

It seems that introducing Realtime AI isn’t the only thing that OpenAI’s got to be pleased about at the moment following the news that OpenAI has nearly doubled its valuation to an eye-watering $157 billion after a (complex, multiple negotiations) funding round where it raised $6.6 billion from backers including Microsoft, SoftBank and Thrive Capital. However, as part of the deal, OpenAI’s investors can withdraw their funds if OpenAI doesn’t convert into a for-profit firm within two years.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

As OpenAI rolls out its Realtime API, the company is taking a significant step toward streamlining AI voice application development. By consolidating multiple tasks (speech recognition, language generation, and speech synthesis) into a single API call, OpenAI not only reduces complexity for developers but also greatly improves the naturalness and fluidity of real-time conversations. This efficiency will likely appeal to developers and businesses alike, who can now create more responsive and context-aware voice applications while saving time and resources.

Also, OpenAI’s apparent focus on privacy and security, combined with what appears to be a transparent pricing model, reflects a commitment to building trust with its users. For example, things like layered security protections, strict usage policies, and clear guidelines for AI interaction transparency are likely to reassure developers and end-users alike, particularly in a climate where data privacy is of paramount concern. OpenAI’s collaboration with key partners like Twilio, along with plans for future expansion into modalities such as vision and video, show the company’s forward-thinking approach and ambition to stay ahead of the competition at the forefront of AI technology.

For businesses, this means not only quicker deployment of voice-driven applications but also the potential for more personalised and effective customer interactions, paving the way for innovation across industries. With these advancements, the Realtime API could become a key tool for those looking to integrate sophisticated AI-driven voice solutions into their workflows, setting a new standard for efficiency in voice AI applications.

Microsoft is now offering a no-subscription, standalone version of Microsoft Office 2024, available as a “one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac.” 

As a one-time purchase version of Microsoft Office, this provides permanent access to Microsoft’s classic productivity suite, representing a longer-term cost-saving alternative to the subscription-based Microsoft 365.

Two versions of the one-time purchase Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac are now available:

1. Office Home 2024 is priced at £129.99, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote (for non-commercial use).

2. Office Home & Business 2024 is priced at £249.99, which includes everything in the Home version plus Outlook and rights for commercial use.

Both require a Microsoft account and an internet connection.

Unlike Microsoft 365, which includes cloud-based services, this standalone version does not provide access to services such as 1 TB of OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month, Microsoft chat and phone support, or regular feature updates.

However, the Office Home & Business 2024 version offers added functionality for those needing Outlook or the ability to use Office apps commercially.

As Microsoft highlights, “one-time purchases don’t have an upgrade option, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you’ll have to buy it at full price”. 

This makes it a more cost-effective choice upfront for users, though Mac users will need to consider whether they prefer the lower initial cost over the ongoing updates and services available with a Microsoft 365 subscription.

This video tutorial explains in depth how to analyse your LinkedIn connections to harvest likely leads, via ChatGPT.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It’s best to download it first]

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and its US counterparts have issued a high-alert warning over a surge in spear-phishing attacks backed by Iran.

These attacks, linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are reportedly targeting politicians, journalists, activists, and others involved in Middle Eastern affairs.

The attackers are using social engineering techniques, impersonating trusted figures (e.g. colleagues or journalists) via email and messaging platforms to gain victims’ trust. The goal is to trick individuals into providing email credentials through fake log-in pages, thereby granting the attackers full access to sensitive communications and data. This poses significant risks not only to personal and business accounts but also to national security, as these compromised emails may be used to further cyber-espionage efforts.

The NCSC warns that these spear-phishing campaigns are escalating amidst geopolitical tensions, particularly as investigations into Iranian cyber operations grow. Recent developments include the indictment of three IRGC members in the US for hacking attempts related to political campaigns.

The advice is to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), regularly update cybersecurity protocols, and to remain vigilant against unsolicited communications. Proactive steps, such as using the NCSC’s cyber defence tools, may also help mitigate the threat.