Google's plan for an iOS version of Google Now was first discovered when a promotional video appeared on YouTube in mid-March. Now, the feature has arrived on the App Store as part of a revamped version 3.0 of Google Search app, which is available on the iPhone and iPad.
With Google Now on iOS, users of the Apple operating system can receive detailed updates and custom-tailored information even before they search for it.
"Search faster and easier with the latest Search app from Google. Get just the right information at just the right time with Google Now. Search handsfree with enhanced Voice Search," is how Google introduces the feature on iOS.
To begin the Google Now experience, all you need to do is to sign into your Google account to enable the app to access your personal information. While Google Search app keeps track of a user's Web-surfing behavior, Google Now follows search and location information in an attempt to act as a personal assistant.
As an alternative to Apple's own personal assistant, Siri, Google Now gathers information from across Google services to provide users a digital starting point. It even has certain Siri-like functionalities, such as the option of asking questions.
Some of the key Google Now features listed on iTunes are:
Answers before you ask with Google Now:
- Get weather and traffic conditions before you start your day
- Get updates on your favorite sports teams and breaking news stories as they happen
Enhanced Voice Search for everything else:
- Simply say what you want and get results without typing.
- Enhanced voice recognition with text streamed on the fly.
- Get answers spoken directly back to you with results tailored to your questions.
Other Google Search app features
- Faster: get to search results faster than by searching from a browser
- Beautiful full screen image search
- Swipe away Web pages to quickly return to search results
- Google Goggles: Snap a photo of what you see to find more information about products, landmarks or famous paintings, and even solve Sudoku puzzles.