'Google Search' for iOS Updated With Google Now

[ezhilk]

This is the only part of Google's strategy I don't get.

As an iPhone and Android user, I love that a lot of Google's services and apps have come over to iOS. But what's their long-term goal? Why not keep some of these apps and services exclusive to your own platform and/or Android phones?

I realize they make their money through ad revenue, so getting their apps and services on as many devices as possible makes them more money. But aren't they concerned at all about people like acorntoy? People that might, at some point, consider switching platforms to take advantage of these apps/services, but now can just stick with their iPhone because they can get the same perks?

Maybe Google is taking the opposite approach from Apple. Whereas Apple likes the "walled garden" and likes to make certain perks of being an iOS user not only iPhone-only, but even certain-model-iPhone-only, maybe Google has decided they'll show the consumer they're not mad...look...here's our services no matter what platform you use. See? We're good people!

The iOS part of me loves that I can get all these Google services on my iPhone. But the Android side of me hates it. Why should people who've obviously spurned your OS and phones get the same benefits as the people who've chosen to invest in your ecosystem?

I'm torn on the whole thing.

I am guessing this could be because Google relies a lot more on services than Apple does, like you'd pointed out. Google doesn't really make a lot of money off Android except the app store and more importantly, when people use the services on the platform tied into Google (unlike Apple whose hardware drives the revenue). And with Now, a lot more people will be using Google search (the app) more, which helps Google's ads reach a wider audience and thereby, a higher revenue. Personally I never had a reason to open the Google app, but I have one now (pun unintended )

They can try keeping their services restricted to Android but they are not helping themselves if they do that. And I don't think a majority will consider switching platforms only for a few unique apps and services.

 

[Bugeyeblue]

Come on people. Look at the freaking app. You can disable location services from working while the app is not open. They will work when you have it open.

What an utter failure on jumping to conclusions.

Exactly. I changed that setting and now it works like everyone wishes it would out of the box. It updates when you open it and sits idle when it's closed or in the multitasking tray.

 

[Taz Mangus]

Siri (2011 - 2013)

Maybe for you but not for me as I use Siri everyday. Besides requiring me to signup for a GMail account makes the Google Search app useless to me. Hint, I don't want a GMail account.

 

[smithrh]

I am happy to see people are understanding (or at least starting to understand) that Google, while free, has costs involved - some fairly significant.

It would appear to many that Google is interested in knowing your location at all times, to hell with your battery.

The amount of data Google is building on so many levels is astounding. Where does it stop? Does it ever stop?

The always on location service usage in the background (even long after the app is closed) is unacceptable.

Used this for 5 min and realized it kept location services on. Uninstalled.

Ya just realized that it doesn't stop using location services even after I quit the app from switcher....that's a deal breaker for me because controlling location service for it manually is is too much...otherwise great app

I noticed this too, the arrow shows even if you close the app, it must be because you are signed into your g mail account.

I also noticed that it is draining my battery alot more, I have lost 5% in just a couple mins. (I'm not use to having location services always on so I am noticing a loss in my battery meter.

Yes, even if you double press home button and terminate the Google app, the location service is still on and if you go to Settings, Privacy, Location Services (iOS 6), you can clearly see a purple arrow (i.e. currently using location service) next to the Google app icon.

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Location services means location services. It means that an app is querying the OS about your location.

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It is because it generates "geo-fences" like what you are able to set in the "reminders" app. Google utilize this function in iOS to continually get your location data even if you think that its process has been terminated by double clicking home button and long pressing the app icon.

It's kind of spooky when you really think about it, it will now know everywhere you go, everything you do, everything!!! and then record it to give you banners to info you about stuff. lol

I just don't like the idea that an app must always keep location services on, why can't it just activate it when you are on the go or something to preserve battery.

Very nicely designed concept and well executed by Google. Apple should strive for the type of voice recognition that Google is getting in their app.

That said....Google Now is still creepy as all hell to me. So I'm gonna pass.

Meh...requires a Gmail account, so I'll pass. Looks nice, but unless you use the Gmail acct its really somewhat useless.

When I exit the Google app (with Google Now enabled) the location service icon does not go away. Has anybody else noticed this?

beautiful app but, i agree, far too intrusive for my liking. i need to enable location services to get the weather...? why? can't i just enter my zip and save that? i'm definitely not complaining though but i really care for my privacy too much to simply hand it over to the googs...

i would use the app if it didn't require my privacy (or the sliver of privacy i have left) to be completely done away with....

Navigation icon stays on until i close app. Need to fix that.

For someone that doesn't use Gmail as their primary email this is basically useless. I also don't think the battery / privacy loss balances out to be worth it. It seems like a cool idea but I guess I just don't see the value. Maybe I just lead a boring life but I'm not hopping on a plane, or jetting across town for meetings every day. I have my school schedule with some gym thrown in... I can keep track of that pretty well on my own.

Part of good battery life, is managing services.

This app just locks a service on full time. It's horribly designed, broken app.

That's weird. Doesn't that affect battery life?

As awesome as this Google Now is the always on location services thing is annoying. Sorry but had to turn 'Now' off. I'll still use google search etc.. but I'd rather have more battery usage.

Constant Data Draw is completely unacceptable. Should be pulled at once.

No, it says it only works with location services enabled if you try.

What an utter failure of an app.

 

[lucas107]

Part of good battery life, is managing services.

This app just locks a service on full time. It's horribly designed, broken app.

actually quite a bit of the app is designed around knowing your location so no it's not horribly designed. on my "crappy" battery android phone I get an easy day with location services turned on always. good battery life involves more than just with everything turned off

 

[sbailey4]

so don't use it. Lots of other people will.

Yep then we will see how bad their battery drain is and have a new thread about that.

 

[DesertEagle]

The amount of data Google is building on so many levels is astounding. Where does it stop? Does it ever stop?

As long as people willingly give away their information, Google will always have enough hard disks to store it.

 

[bushido]

This made me laugh. Siri has now been demoted with "angry ex-wife" status.

well have u heard her talk. she sounds like a mad biatch like "jeeze sorry for asking u something"

---

i already LOVE IT. i like how its thinking for me instead of Siri where u have to ask what u want ... u may as well just do it urself

 

[iGrip]

what's with all the location services complaining? I thought the iPhone had the best battery life ever?

It does, provided that you simply turn off Location services, Bluetooth, 4G, WIFI, GPS and turn the screen down to the lowest brightness setting. By simply doing that, you can outlast nearly any Android phone and laugh at your "friends" who are obsessed with them.



/s

 

[faizoff]

I just noticed that if you go into the app and click on setting (the wheel at the top next to the down arrow) you can go into setting for the app and then click on privacy, it allows you to turn off the location services. This is the setting inside the google app, not your iphone settings. Then I lauched the app again and the location services arrow is gone but the app still works and it still gives me cards at the bottom showing me the weather in my area etc...

Then I asked for directions somewhere and it activated the location services, then I closed the app and X'ed out the app at the bottom on the task to completelty close the app and the location services arrow went away, SO it looks like you can activate location services only when you want by changing the setting inside the google app under privacy.

This is great news!!!

Awesome, thanks!! I wished I had noticed this before posting. Thanks again, this is exactly what I needed.

 

[theanimaster]

ZDNet was right when they said this is one of the features that iOS dropped the ball on. Apple is SUPPOSED to be all about SEAMLESSLY integration technology in our lives.

I just tried Google now out -- and it tracked my Amazon delivery EVEN BETTER THAN AMAZON DID!!! Now I'm SURE I'll be getting my package today -- with an ETA even -- that info isn't even on Amazon's own site!!

This is what APPLE should have done AGES ago. It was NEVER about the specs -- it was about SERVICES. SERVICE matters, not stupid retarded specs. And now Apple is losing out -- well... since we have Google Now on iOS... not so much.

I am constantly switching between GoogleMaps and other apps whilst on a trip somewhere. How awesome would it be if that was easier done with something like Google Now?

I hope Apple wakes up soon.

 

[yaredna]

Data hog ?

Has anyone checked how much data this app is consuming ? The location service being ON all the time seems to be designed to report traffic information back to google... basically, you are using your own bandwidth to help google determine the traffic and inform OTHER users.

You decide if your battery life, data bandwidth, and privacy, are worth helping the community learn about traffic speed.

Good luck.. uninstalling NOW! SIRI is fine for my needs.

 

[sneaky butcher]

the only use i can see in this is telling me what the traffic is to drive into manhattan the one or two days a week i might drive into there

well the more you use google search the more stuff you will get. More so if your out and about.

e.g if you searched for restaurants on google the next time your out it will give you a card with a couple of restaurant suggestions

if you ask google now the apple share price the next day when you launch the app a card will appear with the apple share price.

It learns what info you want by your google now searches then displays cards. Its also location aware so if you stand next to a bus stop and launch google now it will give you a card displaying bus times. On android your calendar is intergrated so it will give you a card for your next appointment with a map etc These show up in the notifications like text/email

 

[alent1234]

Has anyone checked how much data this app is consuming ? The location service being ON all the time seems to be designed to report traffic information back to google... basically, you are using your own bandwidth to help google determine the traffic and inform OTHER users.

You decide if your battery life, data bandwidth, and privacy, are worth helping the community learn about traffic speed.

Good luck.. uninstalling NOW! SIRI is fine for my needs.

you don't charge your phone in your car?

 

[Apollo 13]

just like in android version if you swipe the weather card it doesn't come back...WTF.

 

[alent1234]

well the more you use google search the more stuff you will get. More so if your out and about.

e.g if you searched for restaurants on google the next time your out it will give you a card with a couple of restaurant suggestions

if you google the apple share price or ask google now the share price the next day when you launch the app a card will appear with the apple share price.

It learns what info you want by your google searches then displays cards. Its also location aware so if you stand next to a bust stop and launch google now it will give you a card displaying bus times.

NYC has the bus times posted online and on lots of the stations. either way the busses suck and the times are useless. they are starting to track busses by GPS and providing live info which is more useful

 

[MrGuder]

Well kudos to google for allowing the user to change the settings inside the app to keep location services off when you don't need it and on when you do.

This changes my mind and I'm gonna keep it.

 

[sbailey4]

Yes, even if you double press home button and terminate the Google app, the location service is still on and if you go to Settings, Privacy, Location Services (iOS 6), you can clearly see a purple arrow (i.e. currently using location service) next to the Google app icon.

----------



Location services means location services. It means that an app is querying the OS about your location.

----------



It is because it generates "geo-fences" like what you are able to set in the "reminders" app. Google utilize this function in iOS to continually get your location data even if you think that its process has been terminated by double clicking home button and long pressing the app icon.

Doesn't look like geo-fence to me. Look at the icon. its a full on gps/location not the outlined geo-fence icon. This appears to run full on which is a bad idea.

 

[The Phazer]

Come on people. Look at the freaking app. You can disable location services from working while the app is not open. They will work when you have it open.

What an utter failure on jumping to conclusions.

No you can't.

 

[rshroff2]

Now just wait for a cydia tweak.

search for NowNow in cydia, it replaces siri with google now. you can set which activation method to bring it up in activator. I wish i was still jailbroken to be able to do this

 

[sbailey4]

Yes this is how it is designed to work. I've said this in the first reply. If you don't want Google to constantly load your location, you have no choice but to disable location access (and google now won't work without location services permission) or simply deleting the app.

You can simply turn off google now within the app and leave location services on in settings for the rest of the features.

 

[NKT]

No you can't.

Actually, yes. Open the app, go to settings, then privacy. Turn location reporting off.

When you open the app, location is active. Close the app, wait like 10 seconds and location turns off.

Verified on my iPad and it works as stated.

 

[TimeSquareDesi]

I am happy to see people are understanding (or at least starting to understand) that Google, while free, has costs involved - some fairly significant.

It would appear to many that Google is interested in knowing your location at all times, to hell with your battery.

The amount of data Google is building on so many levels is astounding. Where does it stop? Does it ever stop?

ignorance is bliss. for all of us who are educated and understand the compromises made when you get such functionality, there are hundreds of sheep that simply install these apps and use the default settings. its very unnerving to me at least.

i personally have had an iphone for 4 years but i have maybe 3-4 apps installed. i have also 'locked down' my phone as much as i can in a (futile...?) attempt at saving the last sliver of privacy i am dearly holding onto.

 

[alent1234]

ignorance is bliss. for all of us who are educated and understand the compromises made when you get such functionality, there are hundreds of sheep that simply install these apps and use the default settings. its very unnerving to me at least.

i personally have had an iphone for 4 years but i have maybe 3-4 apps installed. i have also 'locked down' my phone as much as i can in a (futile...?) attempt at saving the last sliver of privacy i am dearly holding onto.

yes, i'm sure that google employees are tracking people every hour of the day because people like yourself lead such amazing lives

 

[Shasterball]

Clearly this doesn't work since it says that it is sunny in SF and there's no traffic (even on the 101!)!!!