Microsoft to offer voice-command mobile search engine

Microsoft Corp., lagging behind Google Inc. in Internet search, introduced a new version of its search engine for Windows-based mobile phones that enables customers to find listings using their voice.

Live Search Mobile, which users have to download to their handsets, displays listings and driving directions on maps, Microsoft said Monday. The company will also offer free 411 directory assistance from any phone.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, aims to take a larger share of revenue from mobile-phone advertisements, a market that may grow to $11.4 billion by 2011 from the current $2.17 billion, London-based research firm Informa said.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft is looking for markets in which Google, owner of the most popular search engine, doesn’t have an entrenched lead.

The software will be available today.