Google Now for iOS updated with notifications, reminders, improved voice search
Google on Tuesday pushed an update to the Google Search app, bringing formerly Android-only features like handsfree "OK, Google" voice search to the iOS variant of the company's Google Now digital life assistant.
Notifications receive top billing in the update and add a welcome boost to Google Now's utility on Apple's platform. Rather than being forced to manually retrieve information, Google says users will be automatically notified with important, contextually-relevant updates about events and appointments.
Users can also take advantage of Google Now's Siri-like reminders functionality, though with a slightly more structured approach. Using what is functionally equivalent to dynamic saved searches, Google Now can remind users about events that are not necessarily scheduled based on a time or place, like new album releases from a favorite musician.
Handsfree support has been added via Google's now-familiar "OK, Google" voice prompt. The Google Search app constantly listens for the phrase when the app is open, and saying it will immediately initiate an interactive voice session.
Also included in the update are tweaks to the user interface, including a simplified homepage layout, as well as new information card types for boarding passes, tickets, car rental reservations, and local events. Additionally, users who have other Google apps on their iOS device can take advantage of a new single sign-on option.
The update bumps the version number to 3.1.0 and is available now as a free, 32.7-megabyte download from the App Store.
Notifications receive top billing in the update and add a welcome boost to Google Now's utility on Apple's platform. Rather than being forced to manually retrieve information, Google says users will be automatically notified with important, contextually-relevant updates about events and appointments.
Users can also take advantage of Google Now's Siri-like reminders functionality, though with a slightly more structured approach. Using what is functionally equivalent to dynamic saved searches, Google Now can remind users about events that are not necessarily scheduled based on a time or place, like new album releases from a favorite musician.
Handsfree support has been added via Google's now-familiar "OK, Google" voice prompt. The Google Search app constantly listens for the phrase when the app is open, and saying it will immediately initiate an interactive voice session.
Also included in the update are tweaks to the user interface, including a simplified homepage layout, as well as new information card types for boarding passes, tickets, car rental reservations, and local events. Additionally, users who have other Google apps on their iOS device can take advantage of a new single sign-on option.
The update bumps the version number to 3.1.0 and is available now as a free, 32.7-megabyte download from the App Store.
Comments
Just tried for fun the following questions on Google Now and Siri:
1. What is a distance between Mars and Jupiter?
2. How old is Vladimir Putin?
3. When did Benjamin Franklin die?
4. When was Leo Tolstoy born?
5. Solve equation x squared minus 4 equals 0.
G. Now was able to answer only the 3rd one while Siri answered them all (1-4 with voice answer and the last 5th one only visually)
You get what you pay for, though some Android users think free is better.
Maybe it's my pronunciation (and there's little I can do to change that) but I still cannot get Siri to perform beyond very basic requests.
Just tried for fun the following questions on Google Now and Siri:
1. What is a distance between Mars and Jupiter?
2. How old is Vladimir Putin?
3. When did Benjamin Franklin die?
4. When was Leo Tolstoy born?
5. Solve equation x squared minus 4 equals 0.
G. Now was able to answer only the 3rd one while Siri answered them all (1-4 with voice answer and the last 5th one only visually)
What on earth are you talking about? I just tried all of these on Google Now and they were ALL answered aloud perfectly.
Google Now is twice as fast as Siri since it does the speech recognition in-app as opposed to sending it to servers. It's also decidedly more accurate, and the voice responses are dramatically more natural. To me, it's really the only killer Android feature. Having it on my iPhone 5S makes me quite happy.
Also, having my flight information automatically show up on the day of my flight is insanely useful. I would use Google Now just for that feature.
apple and siri were featured prominently in this week's episode of the simpsons. pretty funny, that siri.
Who cares?
Considering that Google's apps are consistently rated high in best iOS apps and most downloaded lists, I'd venture to say that a lot of iPhone/iPad users care.
Just tried for fun the following questions on Google Now and Siri:
1. What is a distance between Mars and Jupiter?
2. How old is Vladimir Putin?
3. When did Benjamin Franklin die?
4. When was Leo Tolstoy born?
5. Solve equation x squared minus 4 equals 0.
G. Now was able to answer only the 3rd one while Siri answered them all (1-4 with voice answer and the last 5th one only visually)
#1-4, Google was able to answer all of these for me with a voice answer.
#5, totally stumped it. I didn't even get a visual answer.
Strange that you and I would get such wildly different results, then again I'm convinced that AI users (and their friends) have the worst luck on the planet when it comes to Google and their products/services.
Doesn't The Simpsons call it "Mapple"?
What on earth are you talking about? I just tried all of these on Google Now and they were ALL answered aloud perfectly.
Google Now is twice as fast as Siri since it does the speech recognition in-app as opposed to sending it to servers. It's also decidedly more accurate, and the voice responses are dramatically more natural. To me, it's really the only killer Android feature. Having it on my iPhone 5S makes me quite happy.
Also, having my flight information automatically show up on the day of my flight is insanely useful. I would use Google Now just for that feature.
Well, for the 1st question, I've got directions between places on East Coast (called Mars and Jupiter). BTW I live in California.
Google Now could not recognize Vladimir Putin and Leo Tolstoy every time I tried, needless to say it did not know what to do with the equation offering me web search results instead.
You get what you pay for, though some Android users think free is better.
Isn't siri free?
You get what advertisers pay for, though some Android users think free is better.
Fix that for you... which also explain why google could not answer the questions, advertisers are not interested in the answer...
I'd rather see them re-enable push notification on free gmail accounts, but yeah, sure Google, remove useful features people were actually using.
Just like Apple's removal of Google services, Google is removing Microsoft services. The Gmail push was using Exchange. And also, let's not forget Apple is very well known for removing useful and popular features from their software, more so than any other company that I can think of.
i believe so, when they're developing their competing products or what-not. in this episode, homer is regretting that he sold his apple stock in 2001. to buy a bowling ball. they specifically mention apple/apple stock five times and siri once.
Weird. I tried the same questions and got answers for all but the algebra using Google Now.