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Tag: Google App

  • Google Search is Now Available for iMessage on iOS, Launches Other Features

    Google Search is Now Available for iMessage on iOS, Launches Other Features

    Google has added some new teaks to its app for iOS users. On Monday, the company announced that it would be integrating its search engine into iMessage to give iPhone and iPad users a smoother search and sharing experience.

    To begin with, the Google app for iOS now has an extension for iMessage to assist iPhone and iPad users in looking up things on the web while messaging.

    Once the Google app is installed, users can easily pull up the extension from the iMessage apps drawer and tap on the distinct Google icon to launch the search box.

    Looking for a good place to eat or hang out? Just click on “Food” or “Nearby” to check out reviews, menus, or business hours. Browse through the search results, and if anything piques your curiosity, tap on it to read or share it as a card in your convo. Recipients can then tap on the card, redirecting them to the search result. Moreover, Google decided to add a GIF Search on the right side of the box to make conversations more fun.

    Aside from the iMessage extension, Google also introduced a related content feature that is compatible with the browser of any iOS-powered device. Previously limited to the Google app, the tech giant made it handy for users to discover related content without performing another search. Simply click on the Google icon from the share option to discover suggested articles.

    Lastly, Google has now simplified the drag-and-drop functionality on the iPad. Users can now move text, images, and links from the Google app to other iOS apps. Simply tap and hold to get the link, then drag to iMessage for sharing, or to Notes for future reading.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • Google Is Getting A Lot Smarter At Listening To You

    Google announced a new update to the Google App (yeah, it’s just the Google app now, as opposed to the Google Search app), offering users more and smarter functionality for voice commands.

    Earlier this week, we learned about its ability to give you access to your bills, but Google has since blogged about some additional commands that you can use, particularly if you’re traveling.

    Google senior engineer Pravir Gupta walks us through a scenario and various commands:

    Step 1—Find a spot for dinner. Just say, “Ok Google, show me restaurants near my hotel”—et voilà, you’ll get a selection to choose from. (You don’t even need to remember your hotel name, as long as your hotel reservation is saved in your Gmail, so Google has something to work with.) Is your date dessert crazy? Quickly make sure the restaurant has a good selection by just asking “Ok Google, show me the menu for the first one”.

    Step 2—Make a reservation. When you’ve found the restaurant you like, you can just say: “Ok Google, make a reservation there for 7 p.m.” If the restaurant is on OpenTable, you’ll see a reservations screen pop up with the details already filled out – no need waste those precious moments on hold with a restaurant.

    Step 3—Once the bill is paid and you’ve set your napkin down, find the perfect place for that after-dinner Manhattan. Just say “Ok Google, show me some bars near here” then follow up with a simple “give me directions to the first one.” You’ll be good to go.

    Step 4—Don’t fret the small stuff. The Google app can help you with the rest of your trip, too. Get reminders on where to pick up your rental car or (if you’re really getting away) when it’s time to leave to catch your flight. (It’ll even give you alternate options should your flight be delayed or canceled.) You might see your hotel reservation pop up as you walk out of the airport, get a notification about your dinner reservation—and even fun spots to explore and take photos.

    The update is available for Android and iOS.

    Image via Google

  • Google Adds ‘Show Me My Bills’ Voice Command

    Google announced that the Google app now lets you tap the mic and say, “Show me my bills” or “My bills due this week” to get access to important billing information.

    The company said in a Google+ update:

    When you can’t remember whether you’ve paid your bills—or you simply can’t remember how much money you need to pay—you can now just ask Google. Tap the mic on the Google app (g.co/googleapp) and say, “Show me my bills” or “My bills due this week.” If you have the payment due date and amount in your Gmail, you’ll see a quick summary of upcoming and past bills. Pretty handy, huh?

    As others have pointed out, Google has rebranded the Google Search app as the Google app, which is more fitting, considering all the things it does these days. Google Now gives users notifications on a personalized basis, which don’t necessarily have to do with search.

    Image via Google+