Google today invited a bunch of reporters to a garage where the Internet giant started it all, a convenient setting given Google Search turns fifteen tomorrow.
The companyâs SVP of Search Amit Singhal let us in on some notable updates concerning the mobile Search app for iOS and Android. For starters, the new version sports a refreshed user interface and such enhancements like new comparison filters.
More importantly, the iOS app will gain push notifications for reminders that will pop up on your screen when due. Youâll be also able to use the âOK Googleâ phrase for hands-free Google Search access on your iOS devices, the company said, and moreâ¦
The Mountain View technology giant has previewed the upcoming Search iOS app update with Google Now notifications and the ability to say âOK Googleâ to speak your question hands-free.
I have no idea how Google accomplished this because Apple doesnât allow apps to monitor the mic in the background. Two possibilities: Google may be using the new background refresh API in iOS 7 or the iPhone 5sâs M7 chip â" which Apple says monitors gyro, accelerometer and compass sensors, but not the mic.
Aside from this, you should immediately notice a cleaner, more streamlined look for the Search app across iOS and Android phones and tablets.
Google says the app is now optimized for touch, with results clustered on cards so you can focus on the answers youâre looking for. Thanks to Knowledge Graph enhancements, youâll be able to ask more complex questions like âTell me about Impressionist artistsâ and see who the artists are.
Thatâs not all, the app will let you dive in to learn more about each of them and explore their most famous works. âIf you want to switch to Abstract artists, you can do that really easily with our new filter tool,â said the search monster.
Another nice-to-have: suggested items clustered into smart groupings.
As depicted below, these new Knowledge Graph filters let you compare two different things. A few examples: âcompare butter with olive oil,â âcompare pekingese vs. chihuahua,â âcompare earth vs. neptuneâ and more.
This should be great for research!
Iâm curious as to whether this works for product comparison (i.e. âcompare iPhone 5s to iPhone 4â³).
The companyâs Inside Search blog [1] explains that a new version of the Google Search app on iPhone and iPad will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Notifications are cross-platform:
With this update, you can get notifications across your devices. So if you tell your Nexus 7, âOK Google. Remind me to buy olive oil at Safeway,â when you walk into the store with your iPhone, youâll get a reminder.
Weâll also show you Google Now notifications so youâre not late to your cooking class.
By the way, check out Googleâs first worldwide headquarters, via Susan Wojcicki [2] .
This is where theyâve invited the press today to share Search app advancements and celebrate the fiftienth anniversary of Google Search.
And those over 30 should remember the original Google Search web page.
Additional images are available in an album on Googleâs Google+ page [3] . Thereâs no doubt that Google Search has advanced beyond comprehension in the past fifteen years, hereâs a nice infographic.
Also coming to Google Search iOS/ Android app: ads (itâs a trend ).
Phew, howâs this for a Google app update for you?
Links
- ^ Inside Search blog (insidesearch.blogspot.com)
- ^ Susan Wojcicki (twitter.com)
- ^ Google+ page (plus.google.com)
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