Google iPhone voice-recognition doesn't understand British accents

London, Nov 19 : British iPhone users are facing a tough time using the new voice recognition software, because it does not understand British accents.

The new Google iPhone gives its users an opportunity to search for information using voice-recognition.

The high-tech programme was launched this week and allows users to search Google for cinema times, bring up pictures and information and convert currency and measurements with one tap of the screen.

The owners can download it for free, and if popular, it could be extended to other mobile phones.

British iPhone users were left baffled after it responded to requests with bizarre titbits of unwanted information.

When asked to search for "iPhone" the results varied wildly. A user with a Scottish accent found his phone opted to search for the term "sex" instead, and suggested a link to an adult web site.

When asked in a Kentish accent to search for "iPhone", it came up with "my sister" and "Einstein", while a Surrey user was offered "myspace" as well as "Einstein".

"I've got a traditional Kentish accent and the thing kept on spitting back ridiculous things," the Telegraph quoted Roger Ellinson, 26, from Maidstone, as saying.

"I asked it to find my nearest pizza take away and it came back with something about volcanoes.

"Then I asked it to find my nearest pub and it gave me a link to some kind of weird dating website.

"I'll have to try to put on my best American accent to get it to work," he added.

However, Google points out on its website that the application is "currently available only in US English".

ANI