google now

Your guide to Google Now on iOS

On Monday Google released an update to the Google Search app for all iOS users that added one major feature: Google Now. Until this release, Google Now was only available on Android devices, although there have been some indications that the service will eventually show up in Chrome. But this is likely the first time iOS users have seen the service, so you might be wondering what it does and how it works. Well, let's take a look.

Get Google Now on iOS On Android, Google Now is more or less a standalone app, but on iOS, Google had … Read more

Google Now could be Google's new home page

A Chrome browser extension and some code hidden on a Web site indicate that Google might replace iGoogle with a desktop version of Google Now.

The unconfirmed report on Google Operating System, a blog that's not affiliated with Google, highlights code on a Web page that it says Google uses to test new features. In this case, the code calls out "Google Now" in instructions on what the new features do.

The code also contains an introduction to Google Now: "Get started with Google Now. Just the right information at just the right time." Google … Read more

Google Now update adds real-time package tracking

Google Now, the predictive search feature for the latest version of Android, rolled out an update today that includes the ability to track packages in real time.

Triggered by swiping from the bottom of the screen, Google Now draws on calendar, location, and search history to automatically present information that a device thinks its user needs to know. The update, which is available to users of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at the Google Play store, allows people to monitor the progress of packages slated to be delivered to them from select carriers once a tracking number has arrived in … Read more

Sherpa treks into view as new answer to Google Now on iOS

The launch of Google Now last year pointed a new way forward for search, as Google could begin predicting the information its users sought before they even thought to type a query. Traffic, weather, sports scores and more began materializing on phones running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and above, with the company promising that many more kinds of information are on the way.

To date, there has been no iOS equivalent -- which prompted a war of words between Google and Apple last week, after Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt suggested that Apple was holding up the app in … Read more

Apple, Google: Google Now not submitted to App Store

Google Now has not been submitted yet to Apple's App Store, the iPhone maker told CNET. And Google itself has now confirmed this.

Earlier today, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt spoke at the Big Tent Summit in India and was asked when Google Now would be made available to iOS devices. In a coded response, Schmidt stopped short of calling out Apple but did seem to hint that the iPhone maker was playing a role in the app's availability on its platform.

"You'll need to discuss that with Apple," Schmidt said. "Apple has a … Read more

'Star Trek' computer inspires future of Google search

AUSTIN, Texas--At Google, the future of search looks an awful lot like something out of one of the iconic science fiction franchises of the past.

At least that's the impression given by Google's Amit Singhal when he was interviewed on-stage by Guy Kawasaki at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin recently.

No matter how much Kawasaki prodded Singhal for insights into the inner workings of Google's algorithms, the senior vice president of search seemed far more interested in talking about his apparent obsession with the computer from "Star Trek."

"For those of you who have never watched an episode of 'Star Trek,' please go do that," Singhal implored the audience at one point.… Read more

Twitter working on a music app

CNET Update sings along:

Twitter is working on a music app called Twitter Music, CNET has learned. First, Facebook adds a Music News Feed, now Twitter works on an app for discovering music. Is everyone trying to be more like MySpace?

Also in Wednesday's tech roundup:

- Samsung's Galaxy S4 may not have eye-scrolling technology, but we'll know for sure on Thursday. Follow CNET's live blog of the announcement. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Eastern.

- Whatever Samsung announces, there will be plenty of promotion. A report shows Samsung spends more than Apple on marketing. … Read more

Google Now for iOS maybe shown off in leaked video

It's only March, yet Google's already having a pretty bad year when it comes to leaked videos.

First it was the Chromebook Pixel, and now comes one for Google Now on Apple's iOS. That's the always-on service for mobile devices that automatically pulls up all sorts of relevant information depending on where you are, and that continues to be an Android- and Chrome-only feature.

A purported promotional video for the iOS app went up on YouTube, though it was promptly pulled down. It may or may not have been the real deal. Engadget managed to save … Read more

Google Now widget comes to search app for Android 4.1

Rumors that Google Now would come to the core search app for Android were true: An update to the Google Search app today brings Google's popular predictive search technology to users' home and lock screens.

To use the feature, your phone must have Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or above. Now it tries to anticipate users' queries by automatically showing weather, sports scores, calendar appointments, and other information without the user having to search for them. 

Other features in the updated app, per the changelog:

Movie passes from Fandango Movies now include ratings from Rotten Tomatoes … Read more