'Google Search' for iOS Updated With Google Now

[JarJarThomas]

The whole "location services always active" issue, was Google's only way around ios' multitasking limitations. On Android, Now is always running in the background, so it checks periodically for location, in a more efficient way. With iOS, Google had to employ the location APIs in order to maintain a somewhat active state and keep the cards up to date.

Until iOS evolves to allow for greater app integration or real multitasking, 3rd party apps will continue to have to use loopholes to get the most out of their apps. Even Instapaper had to invoke the location API in order to make it's app update in the background.

That is stupid.
First ... using ios location api is faster and less resource intensive than having an app with more code always in the background.
IF DONE RIGHT.
So either google is to stupid to use the location api correctly or ...
they do just more than they should.
Analysed whats happening and found out it is always sending data to google even if application is off.
THAT is NOTHING i like them to do. and THAT is the battery costly stuff

 

[bozzykid]

For someone that doesn't use Gmail as their primary email this is basically useless.

You can create a Google account without creating a Gmail account. And you can use your current email address to create the account.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

You guys do realize that the iOS version of Google Now is not the same as the Android version in terms of things that can be done, right?

I wouldn't know. I don't touch Android devices. Too slippery and plasticy

Plus, I'd probably get distracted by the carrier logos and bloatware all over the place.

 

[mnpmnp]

Only losers here are Samsung and other android handset manufacturers.

 

[ateslik]

spyware. Tracking for targeting. No facebook. No google.

 

[ditzy]

I'm a bit surprised by all the comments about location tracking. Do you guys not use the "Find my iPhone" feature?

Also Passbook, and the recently released Yahoo Weather app also seem to do this.

I think that most of those complaining are the ones who haven't worked out that you can stop it tracking you all the time. Which passbook, weather, and find my iPhone do not.

 

[pirg]

Siri (2011 - 2013)

I wouldn't go that far. They're used for two different things. Google now can't do half the things siri does (and vice versa)

Siri has nothing to worry about.

 

[buggsy2]

Google Search app tells you how to turn off Location Services

From the iOS Google Search app itself, under the Help:

 

[bozzykid]

You gave them the right when you started using Gmail for your email...they have been "sifting" through it since day 1.

That is not true. Yes, Google scans your email but they do not store information that identifies your email contents with you. But when you agree to use Google Now, you give them to right to link contents of your emails to your account so that things like package tracking can work.

 

[Michael Goff]

I wouldn't know. I don't touch Android devices. Too slippery and plasticy

Plus, I'd probably get distracted by the carrier logos and bloatware all over the place.

Google Nexus 4 has no carrier logo, no bloatware.

What does the material it's made of matter, though, if all you're going to do is put it in a case? And I suspect that most people buy a case for their phone if they're smart.

 

[bobenhaus]

Exactly...nothing special. Or do you still not get it?

Oh, and to use Siri you don't need an Apple ID.

The apple id is intergrated with the apple services. Same thing. Also siri keeps your data for 2 years. I'm just saying that there is no real way around it except but disconnecting from the Internet for good. Why fight it?

 

[lucas107]

Google just keeps making iOS even better by bringing everything from Android over to the smooth iOS platform. Strategically, that's good for Google services, but bad for Samsung, HTC, and Android itself. Weird situation.

Now, if Apple would just allow you to set a default browser (Chrome) like they allow in OS X and a default Maps app (Google Maps), then people would have a lot less to complain about because they can choose which apps they like best.

I can assure you that there is more to picking android than just Google now and maps

 

[barkomatic]

So, I guess I'm a little dense. How do I get a card back that I swiped away? I read online that you go into settings and turn on the cards you want. However, they are all on but still don't display.

 

[nav92]

Been using it since last couple of hours. Much faster than siri as I expected. Hope Siri will get better with iOS 7.

 

[nefan65]

The apple id is intergrated with the apple services. Same thing. Also siri keeps your data for 2 years. I'm just saying that there is no real way around it except but disconnecting from the Internet for good. Why fight it?

I don't care about the following, or data. They all do it. My point is having to sign in/up for yet another service, just to get all the benefits. Such as appointments, etc...I'd need to sign into another service, just to get those features.

I agree; you own a cell phone, they know who/where you are...I never bought into the conspiracy theories, or "They're watching, be careful" stuff.

 

[Michael Goff]

I can assure you that there is more to picking android than just Google now and maps

Some people don't understand this.

 

[ssspinball]

I'm not surprised at all that Google wants to keep location services on at all times by default. How else are they going to make their money off you if they can't sell your "anonymized" data?

 

[Michael Goff]

I'm not surprised at all that Google wants to keep location services on at all times by default. How else are they going to make their money off you if they can't sell your "anonymized" data?

Also, how would it show personalized cards based on location if it didn't keep using your location services?

 

[ssspinball]

The apple id is intergrated with the apple services. Same thing. Also siri keeps your data for 2 years. I'm just saying that there is no real way around it except but disconnecting from the Internet for good. Why fight it?

There is a major difference between providing personal data to a single company vs providing personal data to a company that intends to mine it fully for commercial value to third parties.

It's a pity that some people can't tell the difference.

----------

Also, how would it show personalized cards based on location if it didn't keep using your location services?

It wouldn't.

Maybe someday we'll have a competing service from a company that's main commercial purpose isn't to sell that personal data to third parties. That makes me uncomfortable, but if you are ok with it, more power to you.

 

[Oletros]

I'm not surprised at all that Google wants to keep location services on at all times by default. How else are they going to make their money off you if they can't sell your "anonymized" data?

What anonymized data is sold?

 

[Statelymwhite]

Hmmm, my iPhone 4 can handle Google Now just fine, though apparently Siri is too bloated to be able to work on it.

Just as I suspected. They kept Siri off the iPhone 4 to make people go run out and buy the 4S. Nice try.

 

[Michael Goff]

There is a major difference between providing personal data to a single company vs providing personal data to a company that intends to mine it fully for commercial value to third parties.

It's a pity that some people can't tell the difference.

----------



It wouldn't.

Maybe someday we'll have a competing service from a company that's main commercial purpose isn't to sell that personal data to third parties. That makes me uncomfortable, but if you are ok with it, more power to you.

The paranoia is strong in this one.

What exactly do you think you're going to lose because Google knows where you live and work? Or that you searched up a recipe for meatloaf one time? Or that have friends in New Zealand?

Also, I assume you don't use any social network period. Those guys are selling your info too. I mean, it isn't like there's no real use for knowing your tweets or anything.

BE AFRAID.

 

[rjohnstone]

There is a major difference between providing personal data to a single company vs providing personal data to a company that intends to mine it fully for commercial value to third parties.

It's a pity that some people can't tell the difference.

Technically there is no difference.
It's the same data and in both scenarios, it is used for commercial purposes.
One in house and the other is sold as aggregated data to advertisers.

All user identifiable bits are stripped.
Contrary to some people's narcissistic beliefs, your personally identifiable info is pretty much worthless to an online advertiser.
They prefer the usage and demographic stats over everything else.
They don't care "who" you are more "what" you are.

Learn how the business works before you bag on it.
Search results as you know them now would be garbage without good data collection.

 

[gotluck]

I wouldn't go that far. They're used for two different things. Google now can't do half the things siri does (and vice versa)

Siri has nothing to worry about.

Yes, but this is only because of Apple's sandbox restrictions. Google Now's android counterpart does everything siri does and more afaik.

FWIW I don't like the always on location services on iOS, the process seems much more elegant and to have less of an effect on battery life on android.

Jailbreak tweaks will make this better than siri, hopefully the location services can get streamlined / trimmed.

 

[Renzatic]

Maybe someday we'll have a competing service from a company that's main commercial purpose isn't to sell that personal data to third parties. That makes me uncomfortable, but if you are ok with it, more power to you.

The one thing I find most funny about the whole GOOGLE KNOWS thing is that they've been doing it for about forever now, but no one seemed to care before 2009.

...though as soon as they released a competing product to everyone's favoritest phone ever, it suddenly became a Big. Freaking. Deal.

Plus they don't sell your data. They sell ad space.