A little over a year ago Google introduced Voice Actions, which allowed Android users to perform a variety of tasks by simply issuing voice commands. Unfortunately, to the chagrin of non-English speakers, the app was only available in US English. Today Google is updating Voice Actions for users in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain with support for British English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

To use Voice Actions simply say one of the following commands (spoken in any of the aforementioned languages):

  • send text to [contact] [message]
  • call [business]
  • call [contact]
  • go to [website]
  • navigate to [location/business name]
  • directions to [location/business name]
  • map of [location]

It is also possible to perform standard Google searches with Voice Actions.

Voice Actions is available on all Android devices running Android 2.2 and above. To use it simply hit the microphone icon next to the Google search box on your home screen. If the search box is not immediately visible, add it as a widget or alternatively, download Voice Search from the Android Market.

Source: Google Mobile Blog