Google Search iOS app update takes on Apple's Siri with smarter conversations
Google's official Search application for iPhone and iPad was updated on Tuesday with enhanced functionality, allowing users to have "smarter conversations" with the software in a manner not unlike Apple's own Siri personal assistant.
With Google Search version 4.0.0, users can ask questions with their voice, by either tapping the microphone icon or simply saying "OK, Google" while the application is open.
From there, Google Search can respond to queries such as "What's the weather like?" The new "smart" conversational style allows users to ask follow-up questions such as "How about this weekend?" and the system will understand the context.
The Google Search update also provides users with updates on favorite topics, upcoming trips, and other material such as selected authors or blogs.
Version 4.0.0 of Google Search also includes cricket sports card in the Google Now view, faster loading, and more fluid image results.
Voice search first came to Google Search in late 2012, at the time proclaiming it to be the "most advanced voice search" available. As Apple and Google have become fierce rivals in the mobile space, Apple has made efforts to move away from the search giant, making the default search engine for Siri Microsoft's Bing with last year's iOS 7 update.
With Google Search version 4.0.0, users can ask questions with their voice, by either tapping the microphone icon or simply saying "OK, Google" while the application is open.
From there, Google Search can respond to queries such as "What's the weather like?" The new "smart" conversational style allows users to ask follow-up questions such as "How about this weekend?" and the system will understand the context.
The Google Search update also provides users with updates on favorite topics, upcoming trips, and other material such as selected authors or blogs.
Version 4.0.0 of Google Search also includes cricket sports card in the Google Now view, faster loading, and more fluid image results.
Voice search first came to Google Search in late 2012, at the time proclaiming it to be the "most advanced voice search" available. As Apple and Google have become fierce rivals in the mobile space, Apple has made efforts to move away from the search giant, making the default search engine for Siri Microsoft's Bing with last year's iOS 7 update.
Comments
Why bother? Google sucks.
“Answers before you ask”
Not only is this not a point in its favor, this concept is terrifying and invasive.
And Apple will update Siri with IOS 8 and it will still be better and won't sell your information to the world like Google will.
Google Now is pretty cool - love its cards. When I was travelling, it'd show me nearby attractions, time back at home, and a currency converter. It also does cool things like showing traffic.
I can understand why some people would be concerned by it, but that's why it's an opt-in feature.
"Based on your location, and all the information we have compiled on you from all your past Google searches and gmail messages, Google has a recommendation for you, but first Google will show you ads for 4 other restaurants that have paid us money to promote them.
"Google is sorry you are not interested in any of the restaurants in those ads - Google recommends you go to the 7-Eleven around the corner and get a microwave burrito and a Slurpee"
Except all the comments you all made, Google is doing also what Apple is doing. Just accept it. s/
Marge, is that you?
Apple, Google and Amazon are competitor's who parasiticlly squat in the Apple-store git rid of them.
Think I'm joking? I'm not.
Not to worry, instead of buying some real AI companies, Tim Cook will just buy some more urban brands to convince kids that Siri's better than Google Now.
Speaking "OK, Google" is not working for me on my iPhone 4. Does it require a newer handset for the always-on listening?
According to the app's description, the specific "Ok Google" voice functionality requires an iPhone 4S or later.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-search/id284815942?mt=8
Try out their example on an iPhone, Siri correctly answers both the initial and follow up question. It can even do it with sports scores, making dinner reservation or even just getting direction after searching something.
You're right Siri does seem to understand a follow up question about the weather as in the above example. Seems like it might be a special case as in pre-programmed contexts. As you say she is also good with sports information, but I tried lots of other contextual questions with no luck. She mostly just points to a wikipedia page with generic information regarding some word in my follow up question. A large percentage of the time she gets the first question wrong so there is no point in a follow up.
What is the furthest plant from the Sun?
Siri: The answer is Neptune.
What is its distance from the Sun?
Siri: The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 1.01 astronomical units
How far is that in kilometers?
Siri: I searched the web and found this: (how to convert kilometers to miles)
I tried the exact thing in Google and it was flawless.
"OK Google, recommend a nearby restaurant for dinner"
"Based on your location, and all the information we have compiled on you from all your past Google searches and gmail messages, Google has a recommendation for you, but first Google will show you ads for 4 other restaurants that have paid us money to promote them.
"Google is sorry you are not interested in any of the restaurants in those ads - Google recommends you go to the 7-Eleven around the corner and get a microwave burrito and a Slurpee"
Doesn't work like that. Never had a ad with Google Now.
Perhaps he was joking.
What is its distance from the Sun?
Siri: The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 1.01 astronomical units
That is not the distance to the sun, it's a definition of the phrase 'astronomical unit'
What is its distance from the Sun?
Siri: The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 1.01 astronomical units
That is not the distance to the sun, it's a definition of the phrase 'astronomical unit'
Whatever… it was not the answer to the question I asked. I'm having a fun time over here asking contextual follow up questions. So far Siri is batting worse than Mike Moustakas, but don't try to ask Siri who that is.