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Google's Android search may drop the 'Now on Tap' name
Google signaled that its Google Now branding was on the way out when it unveiled Assistant in May, and it now looks like the company is determined to erase whatever traces were left. The team at 9to5Google has discovered that Google's latest search app beta kicks the Now naming scheme to the curb. Now on Tap is just "screen search," while Now cards are your "feed."
Google Now on Tap translates languages in any app
You no longer have to select text or keep a mini-app running to translate text in your Android apps. Google is expanding Android Marshmallow's Now on Tap feature to support text translation from any screen. If you're looking at text that doesn't match your phone's current language, Now on Tap will offer to translate that screen even if there are multiple unfamiliar tongues on screen. It's available today if your phone is set to use either a major European language or Russian... and it's not the only feature rolling out today.
Google Now on Tap gives you flights and related news
Google is apparently bent on stuffing Now on Tap full of features in a short amount of time. On top of adding screenshot support, it's introducing both flight statuses and related news stories to Android Marshmallow's signature search feature. If a friend sends you a flight number, you only have to hold the home key to get that trip's status. And if you find an interesting news piece, Now on Tap will show you more articles covering the same subject. It may take a few days before you see these options popping up on your phone, so don't fret if your queries come up empty for a little while.
Google Now on Tap update helps you take Android screenshots
To take a screenshot on an Android phone so far, you've typically had to press an awkward button combo -- or, worse, use a palm gesture. It's getting much easier, though. Google is pushing a Google search app update for Android that lets Marshmallow users take screenshots using Now on Tap. All you do is invoke Now on Tap and hit a share button to send it to your app of choice. This isn't a straightforward replacement for the hardware command, since it doesn't save images right away (you need to choose a destination first) and has a long delay. However, it's both easier to use and gets rid of the usual notifications mess. If you've ever wanted to show off your home screen or a new app without jumping through hoops, you'll want to upgrade as soon as you can.
Chrome on Android finds relevant info for any word you touch
Arguably the biggest announcement to come out of Google I/O last week was the Now on Tap feature that lets you search within apps. Well, a new update for Chrome on Android dubbed "Tap to Search" looks like it could be pretty similar: it lets you search about a term on a web page for information without leaving the page. The example Google gives is that say you're on The Hollywood Reporter and you do a touch-and-hold on the word "America." Not only will it scroll up a search window, instead of stuff about the country, it populates a bunch of information about the flick Captain America: Civil War like pictures, news and casting information. Pretty cool, right? It's in the process of rolling out right now, with Asian language support coming soon and you can see it in action in the GIF after the break. [Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Recommended Reading: The new and improved 'Halt and Catch Fire'
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Hard Reboot: The Excellent Season 2 Makeover of 'Halt and Catch Fire' by Andy Greenwald Grantland Despite an interesting premise, AMC's Halt and Catch Fire never really took off during its first season. The show that chronicles the effort to reverse engineer an IBM PC in a Texas garage got a full revamp for season two, though, and Grantland's Andy Greenwald explains how the changes have drastically improved the series for version 2.0.
