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Mulling a new wardrobe? Google Now alerts you when it's available nearby
Sometimes you have to run out for a meeting seconds before you're able to commit to a well-researched online purchase. Fret not though, Google Now is here to help. The card-based system will display the items that you're longing for when they're available from a retailer you're passing by. All you need to do is update Search for Android and the software will remind you of the products and pricing info, allowing for a quick stop on the way home. That's after you find your car, natch.
Google Now for Android remembers where you parked
You probably have a trick or two up your sleeve to remember where you've parked amidst a sea of other cars. But if you're still prone to forgetting your parking spot, Google's refreshed Android Search app might be able to help you out. The update adds a new Google Now parking card that lists the address of the place where you left your car, along with a map that shows how far you are from that location. In case the card got it wrong the first time (ever got lost because Google Maps gave you faulty directions?), it can also offer alternative places that you can check. Yes, that's a nightmare if you're in a massive parking lot, but it sure beats going around in circles for hours. Update not showing up for you? You can download the APK from Android Police instead.
Google Search: A visual history
"To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." That was one of the primary goals Larry Page and Sergey Brin set when they launched Google in 1998 as a privately owned search company. Since then, the Mountain View-based outfit has branched out, creating a mobile operating system, mapping service, cloud-based productivity apps, branded devices and, now, smart thermostats. All of those offshoots, however, always point back to the company's original aim: search. That baseline service is something Google's been making refinements to ever since its inception. A practice that continues to this day, with the company constantly improving upon the usability and design of its search-based offerings. This means cleaning up a UI when needed, and launching new features that serve up that much-lauded universal accessibility in short order. What may come across as a small box centered in a vast expanse of white is, as you'll see, actually something that's constantly evolved since '98.
Google Search on Android now warns you when traffic grinds to a halt
Your Android phone can now warn you when traffic is likely to crawl to a standstill on the drive home. Google has updated the platform's search app to send Google Now notifications if road work, accidents and other incidents might create major delays. The alert system won't be as slick as having your very own traffic drone, but it should help you find an alternate route before you're caught up in gridlock.
Android search update lets you pick video, on-demand providers in Google Now
Little software updates sometimes make a big difference. Google has rolled out an update to Android's search app that's currently listed as a simple bug fix, yet introduces a deluge of new features for Google Now. You can now choose specific TV and video on demand providers for viewing recommendations, and you'll see Airbnb reservations. There also won't be many excuses for being late after this upgrade -- Android Police readers note that the app introduces both simpler alarm controls as well as helpful tools for getting to an appointment on time. Google has even seen fit to officially rename the Nexus 5's home screen interface, calling it the Google Now Launcher. The new search hasn't been pushed to everyone just yet, but we'd expect it to reach many Android users in the near future. Update: It looks like the update is going out widely today. A Google Search post on Google+ focuses on the tweaks for arranging appointments -- cards note when you need to leave, and they can adjust for where you're leaving from and what type of transportation will be used -- while the Google Play changelog fills in the rest of the details.
Google expands in-depth article search results, makes it easier to explore relevant topics
When Google introduced the in-depth article search results section, the company gave voracious readers a great way to look for weekend reading spree fodder. Today, Mountain View is making it even easier to scour the internet by adding a "More in-depth articles" link at the bottom, which reveals up to 10 more lengthy pieces you can sink your teeth into. If that's not enough, you can find even more things to read by clicking the new links below each result that lets you explore relevant topics. These two features will soon pop up (if they haven't yet) for English users, but there's no word on whether they'll also roll out for other languages. [Image credit: Anthony Ryan / Flickr]
Google voice search on Android and iOS now speaks French, German and Japanese
To date, Google's mobile voice search has been limited to English speakers -- not very convenient if you're looking for coffee in Cologne. Thankfully, its vocabulary is expanding today. The Google Search apps on both Android and iOS now recognize voice commands in French, German and Japanese, and they'll respond in kind. There's no mention of when other languages will be available, but those speaking in supported tongues just have to run Google's latest software to get started.
Google search on Android now finds results within apps
As much as Google's search business revolves around the web, the company knows that mobile apps sometimes have more relevant info. Accordingly, Google has updated Android's native search app and its web-based search to take you directly to content within certain apps -- an actor's biography in IMDB, for example. Only a handful of titles support the feature, although more are on the way. You won't have to worry if you don't have the software just yet, though, as the update also puts Google Play app shortcuts in result pages. Both of the app-savvy search features are available today.
Google Search app for iOS gets "OK Google" voice search, more
Google has updated its Google Search app for iOS with several new features and improvements. For starters, users can now use the "OK Google" voice command to conduct hands-free searches via the app. Another major improvement is the addition of Notifications and Reminders, both of which have long since been staples of the Android version of the app. Now the app will present both notifications and reminders to users instead of them having to perform a search calling them up. Google has also added support for a number of new Cards in the app, including cards for movies, bording passes, car rentals, train warnings, and local events. The updated app also offers a simpler UI and some additional gestures. Here's the full release notes: What's New in Version 3.1.0 Google Now gets even better with: • Notifications – Get notified when it's time to go • Reminders – Never forget to put out the trash • New cards – See tickets, boarding passes, & more • Handsfree voice – Just say "OK Google" to search* * requires iPhone 4s or later Notifications deliver info before you open the app: • When to leave for your next appointment or event • If your flight is running late • How to catch the last train home Ask Google to remember things for you. Just say • "Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks," or • "Remind me to check out the fair this weekend" and Google will remind you at the right time or place. You can also ask to be reminded when your favorite: • Musicians release a new album • TV show has a new episode • Actors star in a new movie • Celebrities and politicians make headlines Just search and press the "remind me" button. New cards organize the info you care about: • Tickets for movies, concerts and events • Boarding passes for your flights • Reservation confirmations for car rentals • Warnings when your last train home leaves • Lists of upcoming local events And finally, search is better than ever with: • A redesigned and simplified homepage • Gestures to zoom or throw away images • One touch sign in if you use other Google apps • Improved voiceover accessibility Google Search is a free download.
Android 4.4 KitKat lets you say 'OK Google' to activate touchless search
"Okay Google." Those Touchless Controls aren't just for the Moto X anymore -- they're now part and parcel of the Nexus 5. With today's unveiling of Google's (terribly leaked) Nexus 5, we're getting a first look at Android 4.4 KitKat on the handset, and that OS update comes with some significant tweaks to Search and Now. For starters, Nexus 5 users will have the ability to set hot keywords as a means of activating or "waking up" Now voice search. So, presumably, this means you'll be able to link any word you'd like to start barking voice commands at Now. Just don't be surprised if Now talks back to you: KitKat also apparently allows for a dialogue of sorts between users and the handset to refine search queries. This could be especially useful when directing Now to access contacts by first name. For example, saying "Text Jennifer" could result in it asking you to specify, "Which Jennifer?" It's smart control made smarter. But that's just the tip of the improvements Google's made to its Now and Search product. Overall, speech recognition is said to have been made 25% more accurate and manual access to Now can be triggered by a swipe to the left (Nexus 5-only, for now) -- no longer a swipe from the bottom of the screen up. Now has also been outfitted with a wider array of "contextual cards." It's yet another step in making Google's digital assistant even more prescient, as it will now display information based on a user's current activity, like Fandango for ticket listings if you're at a theatre, or even updates on a favorite TV show you've searched for previously. And going even further, Google Now will also provide "deep links" to applications you've installed on the handset. In the use case Google provided, this means that a recipe search won't just display link results, but will also ping up the AllRecipes app or even OpenTable, if you're on the hunt for a restaurant. Though all of these Search tweaks are bundled into the Nexus 5 for now, they should soon rollout to other Nexus devices as Android 4.4 KitKat is made more widely available.
Google search starts listing TV episodes and air dates in results
Think of this as IMDb baked into your Google search. Today, everyone's favorite Search giant from Mountain View announced that users seeking information about their favorite shows, or those just curious about specific series, will now find detailed episode listings within their results. The added information pings up the full season's worth of episodes along with their respective air dates. And clicking on any of those entries will pull up relevant search results -- handy, say, if you're looking for a spoiler-laden recap. That's about as deep as this addition gets, but you won't find us complaining.
Google Search for Android gets Now cards for notable people, new voice search hotword
Google showed off its refreshed search experience last week, and now we're starting to see it on our Android devices. As is usual, with its staggered updates different people may see the features at different times, but the changelog just got an update today. In case you missed it, one tweak Android Police first noticed last week is that the hotword for voice search has changed to "Ok Google," similar to the "Ok Glass" command for the company's headset. The new "more beautiful" search results are rolling out gradually according to the notes, so you may not see those right away. Finally, you can add "notable people" (we haven't seen our own names listed, clearly that's just an omission) to the list of items Google Now will keep you updated on, via a button on their card when you search for them as seen above. If you've been living with the new experience already, let us know how you like it, others should just keep an eye on their devices as it slowly rolls out.
Google Search app for Android updated (update)
Today's the day for updates to Google's Android apps. The latest to get a revision is the company's main Search app, which sees a slew of new features and minor tweaks. That includes the ability to display a related website based on your current location, as well as offer sports and flight updates in realtime instead of on a 15-minute delay. Beyond that, you'll now be able to set reminders based on things like album or book releases, view event tickets from select websites, and see additional Smart TV cards (which require an actual smart TV) for news and music that's currently on your TV. Another feature that's said to be "rolling out gradually" is the ability to automatically tell others when you've left work. You can find the full rundown of all the new features (and the app itself) in the Google Play store. Update: We'll have to cool our jets for now -- while there is a fresh APK for Google Search in the Play Store, it appears the features in the changelog are just hanging around from the last update. We'll let you know if anything new and interesting surfaces (with the pace of updates rolling out today, a Google change-tracker dashboard would be nice).
Google expands word definition box, makes looking up ten-dollar words easier
Here's one for the logophiles and the voracious readers: searching for words on Google now returns more than their definitions. So, next time you look up a fancy term, the definition box will also contain its synonyms, sample sentences and a drop-down menu that can translate the word into another language. The new results even give you a glimpse of a word's origins and show a graph of how commonly it's used over time. While a relatively minor update, it's boosted by the addition of a new voice function: when you tap on the Search microphone and ask questions such as "What is the definition of / What are the synonyms of [a word]," a voice will read the first result out loud. All these features are now active on both desktops and Google's mobile Search apps in the US, ready to lend a hand during weekend Scrabble parties.
Google Now updated with car rentals, concert tickets and more
Traffic and weather updates are great, but Google Now never shines better than when you're on vacation. To that end, Mountain View has taught the feature a few new tricks, equipping it with cards for keeping track of car rental and concert tickets. Not traveling? No problem, Google also updated Now's public transit cards to notify users when the last train home leaves -- a feature that was announced for Japan at Google I/O. While waiting, users will also be able to check the latest NCAA scores with a new football card. New cards are always good, but more interesting are the reminder features the latest update tacks on. Thumbing a new "remind me" button while searching for media will prompt Google Now to notify you when your favorite band, TV show or author releases something new. A tweaked TV card will offer real time data as well, sussing out what program you are watching using your smartphone's mic and digging up program information. Itching to try it out? Skip on over to the Google Play store and update your search app. You'll find that link below.
Google Search now offers in-depth articles feature to satisfy the researcher in you
According to Google, ninety percent of its queries are for quick hits -- sometimes you just want an answer to your question, get out and go on with life. But ten percent of its searches are from people who are digging deep and getting the real dirt of the situation. For that tenth of the search population, Google Search has introduced a new Knowledge Graph Box that features in-depth articles. These will typically offer the reader a lot more insight into particular topics, and will often feature longform content -- including posts from lesser-known publications. The update is rolling out to English users today, though there is no word on when we can expect to see it for other languages.
Google Now added to search app on iPhone, iPad
Google has updated its search app for iOS to version 3, adding a tool that until this point was available only on devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or better -- Google Now. Now adds some impressive features to your device. As Google notes, it adds "the right information, at just the right time" to your iPhone or iPad. Back in March, a very official-looking promo video for Google Now on iOS leaked out. The same video is prominently featured in the new version of Google's app, so it seems that it was legit. To enable Google Now, update or install the Google Search app, sign in and then swipe up from the bottom of the display screen. Google includes a short video explaining how the app works, providing "cards" full of contexual information where and when you need it. If you're about to drive to work, the app can tell you how long it's going to take to get there and route you around traffic. If you're near a public transit station, you may get information on when the next train leaves, and if you're heading out on a trip you may well see your flight info displayed in a card. Google's powering Now by looking into your data on other Google services (calendar, search, contacts and maps among them) so if this sort of oversight makes you twitchy, you can choose not to turn the Now capability on in the search app. %Gallery-187052% Voice search has improved in the new app. Previously, users could tap a microphone icon to enter search terms; not that exciting, really. Now you can pretty much ask Google Now anything and get responses almost immediately -- the service both seems to understand your requests better and responds faster than Apple's own Siri, so it will be a great addition to the iPhone for those of us who like to carry on conversations with our handheld devices.
Google speeds up mobile web search, introduces expandable sitelinks and quick view badges
Continuing its efforts to speed up the way we find things when searching the web from our smartphones, Google is rolling out expandable sitelinks. Instead of wasting time sifting through a website trying to locate a specific page, this new feature generates a list of related quick links that allow you to jump directly to what you're looking for. Already available in desktop results, expandable links are hit or miss when used on mobile. Not stopping there, Google also announced the release of its new Quick view badges. This experimental project produces highlighted links from Wikipedia, which offer snippets of information relevant to your query. Pictured above are results for different types of poker hands. It won't stop you from losing your money, but now you'll always remember a flush beats a straight. As of now Quick view is only available in English search results, but Google is working on adding support for additional languages.
Gmail autocomplete updated with search history and contact thumbnails
Building off of last year's Gmail enhancements, Google is rolling out improved autocomplete predictions that display terms from your previous email searches. In addition to referencing your old inbox explorations, results now display thumbnails of people in your contact list. These useful new features are being issued to all Gmail users over the next few days, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Google's Tamar Yehoshua backstage at Expand (video)
Tamar Yehoshua has led Google's efforts to optimize Search across platforms, devices and languages and earlier this afternoon she took to the Expand stage to discuss how the discovery process has changed. Following her talk, Brian Heater caught up with Tamar to chat about the evolution of search and the company's focus on voice. Check out our video after break for the interview in its entirety. Follow all of Engadget's Expand coverage live from San Francisco right here!