Google Search for iOS Updated With Voice Controls, Reminders, Notifications, and More

[MacRumors]

Google today released a major update to its Google Search app for iOS, implementing a multitude of new features to Google Now, its built-in personal assistant often compared to Apple's Siri.

With the update, Google Now has gained Notifications, Reminders, new cards that include tickets and boarding passes, and handsfree voice activation on the iPhone 4s and later. Voice searches and commands can be activated with the phrase "OK Google," which implements a search.

With notifications, Google Now can provide information on appointments and meetings. Reminders is a robust feature that works with standard reminders, such as "Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks," and with requests that allow users to be notified when a favorite TV show has a new episode or a musician releases a new album.

In addition to the new Google Now capabilities, Google Search has also gained a simplified homepage, new zoom gestures, one touch sign in with other Google apps, and improved voiceover accessibility.

What's New in Version 3.1.0
Google Now gets even better with:
- Notifications - Get notified when it's time to go
- Reminders - Never forget to put out the trash
- New cards - See tickets, boarding passes, & more
- Handsfree voice - Just say "OK Google" to search*
*requires iPhone 4s or later

Google Search can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Search for iOS Updated With Voice Controls, Reminders, Notifications, and More

 

[mejsric]

and then Android update soon..

 

[troop231]

Correct icon

 

[netnothing]

I still love how Google can tell me the hours of my local Apple store....but Siri can't.

What a joke! Way to go Apple.

-Kevin

 

[BC2009]

It's funny because as Google services get better, I find that I am using Google less. I feel that the only way that Google can improve is by my revealing more personal data to them. So the better Google gets the less I want to use them because I don't trust them with my personal data. In order to take advantage of many new Google services I need to be a Google+ member and I have so far refused to do that. Just in case anybody thinks this is an anti-Google thing, it is not. I am not on Facebook either due to privacy concerns. You never know what switch somebody is going to throw one day and make something public that was previously private and you may just forget to go and "opt out" before it goes live.

Imagine Google Now being aware of the places you frequent and then one day Google decides that they are going to promote business socially by telling your friends which places you go frequently. Now imagine that they have their POI database wrong and they tell everybody how you frequent a Japanese Massage place when in fact the address you are going to is really a sandwich shop. Worse, imagine the place you are going is some place you really want to keep private. This is the kind of thing that Google and Facebook do with personal data when then need to expand their revenues.

 

[Rushli0n]

Does the 5th Gen iPod touch count as "4S or greater"? The "Ok, Google" command doesn't appear to work for me.

 

[robjulo]

I still love how Google can tell me the hours of my local Apple store....but Siri can't.

What a joke! Way to go Apple.

-Kevin

Google Now is much more robust than Siri. Was visiting Chicago. Asked Siri what time a museum opened and closed, Siri couldn't tell me. Google Now could though.

So much for the "Apple isn't always first, but they are always better" argument I see so often on here. Google Now is head and shoulders better than Siri or "Today".

 

[brianvictor7]

So, is Google Search more reliable and more richly featured and at least as simple to use as Siri yet? Wondering because I can't download it till I find a wi-fi hotspot to check.

 

[Rushli0n]

So, is Google Search more reliable and more richly featured and at least as simple to use as Siri yet? Wondering because I can't download it till I find a wi-fi hotspot to check.

Depends on what you want it to do. Siri is nice because it's integrated when setting up reminders or things on Calendar (if you use the stock programs). But i've found that most of the time when you ask Siri a "normal" question...it just kicks off a Google search anyways.

 

[theheadguy]

It's funny because as Google services get better, I find that I am using Google less. I feel that the only way that Google can improve is by my revealing more personal data to them. So the better Google gets the less I want to use them because I don't trust them with my personal data. In order to take advantage of many new Google services I need to be a Google+ member and I have so far refused to do that. Just in case anybody thinks this is an anti-Google thing, it is not. I am not on Facebook either due to privacy concerns. You never know what switch somebody is going to throw one day and make something public that was previously private and you may just forget to go and "opt out" before it goes live.

Imagine Google Now being aware of the places you frequent and then one day Google decides that they are going to promote business socially by telling your friends which places you go frequently. Now imagine that they have their POI database wrong and they tell everybody how you frequent a Japanese Massage place when in fact the address you are going to is really a sandwich shop. Worse, imagine the place you are going is some place you really want to keep private. This is the kind of thing that Google and Facebook do with personal data when then need to expand their revenues.

I agree with you completely. Although, it's interesting to note that you have chosen to simply not take advantage of advanced services and functions. In other words, there is no viable alternative.

When the Internet was simpler (ugh, makes me feel old), there was an alternative to gmail, or hotmail, etc. However, the rate of innovation at Google is making it almost impossible for anyone to catch up on the scale of services that they are providing.

With people like you and me choosing to opt-out of using useful features, it will make no difference-- sorry, that's just the truth. The dream of "if we all boycott it, they'll change" is dead because of the mass amount of new users they add daily. Our only hope is privacy legislation. Until that happens, we're screwed.

 

[brianvictor7]

Depends on what you want it to do. Siri is nice because it's integrated when setting up reminders or things on Calendar (if you use the stock programs). But i've found that most of the time when you ask Siri a "normal" question...it just kicks off a Google search anyways.

Hmmm. That sounds like how it was a year ago when I last looked at it. Thanks for the info. I'll give it another whirl and see if it is more responsive now.

 

[Someyoungguy]

It's funny because as Google services get better, I find that I am using Google less. I feel that the only way that Google can improve is by my revealing more personal data to them. So the better Google gets the less I want to use them because I don't trust them with my personal data. In order to take advantage of many new Google services I need to be a Google+ member and I have so far refused to do that. Just in case anybody thinks this is an anti-Google thing, it is not. I am not on Facebook either due to privacy concerns. You never know what switch somebody is going to throw one day and make something public that was previously private and you may just forget to go and "opt out" before it goes live.

Imagine Google Now being aware of the places you frequent and then one day Google decides that they are going to promote business socially by telling your friends which places you go frequently. Now imagine that they have their POI database wrong and they tell everybody how you frequent a Japanese Massage place when in fact the address you are going to is really a sandwich shop. Worse, imagine the place you are going is some place you really want to keep private. This is the kind of thing that Google and Facebook do with personal data when then need to expand their revenues.

I want to know where this massage place is where I can have a sandwich immediately afterward.

 

[brianvictor7]

I want to know where this massage place is where I can have a sandwich immediately afterward.

I know you meant that to be playful and funny, but the simple fact is that massage parlors and brothels are often worked by girls caught up by human traffickers. Since the girls' "acting" skills have been beaten into them, there is often no way to tell if they are there of their own free will. They'll even deny it to your face because they are afraid for their lives or their loved ones on the chance you bring word that they complained back to their pimps. It is a horrific situation that is more common than we'd like to think.

 

[lightning inc.]

Google Music, WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU

 

[Bill Killer]

It's funny because as Google services get better, I find that I am using Google less. I feel that the only way that Google can improve is by my revealing more personal data to them. So the better Google gets the less I want to use them because I don't trust them with my personal data. In order to take advantage of many new Google services I need to be a Google+ member and I have so far refused to do that. Just in case anybody thinks this is an anti-Google thing, it is not. I am not on Facebook either due to privacy concerns. You never know what switch somebody is going to throw one day and make something public that was previously private and you may just forget to go and "opt out" before it goes live.

Imagine Google Now being aware of the places you frequent and then one day Google decides that they are going to promote business socially by telling your friends which places you go frequently. Now imagine that they have their POI database wrong and they tell everybody how you frequent a Japanese Massage place when in fact the address you are going to is really a sandwich shop. Worse, imagine the place you are going is some place you really want to keep private. This is the kind of thing that Google and Facebook do with personal data when then need to expand their revenues.

Complete anonymity while maintaining an online presence is impossible.

 

[DMVillain]

What about google music for iOS? October is over...

 

[tmomaslomez]

I don't find this useful to me. I mostly use Siri as an assistant and to answer quick questions...I don't really need reminders about tickets or traffic, and if that stuff isn't in Gmail, I guess Google doesn't know about it anyway.

 

[JGIGS]

Testing it right now it appears the phone has to be unlocked and the app open to work with "Ok google" command which is useless.

I'm guessing it also still doesn't allow sending text messages or emails with voice dictation as apple has this under lock and key. I must speak really funny as it never works properly for me using Siri.

It's hard to make the iphone more productive with third party apps because it's so locked down.

You still can't even change the push notification sound for specific apps on ios.

It's too bad google screwed up sms intigration with hangouts and created two different threads for the same contact between hangout messages and sms. Had they been able to do it in the same thread like imessage I wouldn't have even thought twice about going back to an Android phone. I probably will anyway. Hopefully Google can correct this ASAP. Feels like a patent issue.

 

[Stuke00]

Still has the old iOS 6 keyboard. Hasn't iOS 7 been out almost 2 months now?

 

[kuwxman]

and then Android update soon..

Android has had all but the 'OK Google' feature for quite some time. The latter is a Android 4.4 feature so while it is technically available now on the Nexus 5, most won't see it until 4.4 is released to masses soon.

I currently have it installed on my Nexus 4 thanks to people sharing stuff from the Nexus 5 4.4 image. Works real well!

edit: "Ok Google" has also been available on the Moto X since it came out.

 

[thebeans]

Still has the old iOS 6 keyboard. Hasn't iOS 7 been out almost 2 months now?

I know and the old keyboard looks SOOOO much nicer.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Google Now is much more robust than Siri. Was visiting Chicago. Asked Siri what time a museum opened and closed, Siri couldn't tell me. Google Now could though.

So much for the "Apple isn't always first, but they are always better" argument I see so often on here. Google Now is head and shoulders better than Siri or "Today".

Google has been collecting that data and more for over a decade, what do you expect? Apple is new to the info services game. (that's why they had originally partnered with google for the services side of the house with the original iPhone launch.) it'll take time.

 

[kas23]

It's funny because as Google services get better, I find that I am using Google less. I feel that the only way that Google can improve is by my revealing more personal data to them. So the better Google gets the less I want to use them because I don't trust them with my personal data. In order to take advantage of many new Google services I need to be a Google+ member and I have so far refused to do that. Just in case anybody thinks this is an anti-Google thing, it is not. I am not on Facebook either due to privacy concerns. You never know what switch somebody is going to throw one day and make something public that was previously private and you may just forget to go and "opt out" before it goes live.

Imagine Google Now being aware of the places you frequent and then one day Google decides that they are going to promote business socially by telling your friends which places you go frequently. Now imagine that they have their POI database wrong and they tell everybody how you frequent a Japanese Massage place when in fact the address you are going to is really a sandwich shop. Worse, imagine the place you are going is some place you really want to keep private. This is the kind of thing that Google and Facebook do with personal data when then need to expand their revenues.

Do you own any shopping club cards from grocery stores? Better ditch them, they monitor everything you buy from that store.

Do you own credit cards? Yep, they also monitor your purchases as well and sell that data.

What about TV, do you watch it? Better not, it knows where you are tuning in and you get location based commercials as a result.

Surf the net? Definitely better not...

 

[cliffster82]

Testing it right now it appears the phone has to be unlocked and the app open to work with "Ok google" command which is useless.

I'm guessing it also still doesn't allow sending text messages or emails with voice dictation as apple has this under lock and key. I must speak really funny as it never works properly for me using Siri.

This is exactly what I was wondering. If I have to open the App to use it, I may as well use Siri, since I'm used to her anyway. And yes, you. have. to. leave. a. space. between. words. or. Siri. will. not. understand. you.

 

[BC2009]

Complete anonymity while maintaining an online presence is impossible.

I'm not quite sure where I said my goal was complete anonymity. Just not willing to over-divulge.

Do you own any shopping club cards from grocery stores? Better ditch them, they monitor everything you buy from that store.

Do you own credit cards? Yep, they also monitor your purchases as well and sell that data.

What about TV, do you watch it? Better not, it knows where you are tuning in and you get location based commercials as a result.

Surf the net? Definitely better not...

You sound like you are trying to justify something to yourself because something I said unnerved you. I'm not stupid. I know that specific things I do triggers tracking, but I am not as willing to yield more information just because I have provided other information to other companies. That's like saying that just because a donut is bad for me that I might as well go try heroine. Google has proven themselves far more capable at analyzing and making sense of "Big Data" than grocery stores and the like. Anybody can collect data, few can make sense of it. Facebook has proven themselves very adept at relaxing their privacy policy and surprising their users in a bad way. So far Apple has been very good with my personal data and I have grown to trust them. My credit card is a necessary evil and they do unfortunately sell information to target mailers at me for products. I don't mind letting Google know some of my interests so I get appropriate ads and offers, but I don't want to be auto-promoting products on Google+ (a new change that G+ users have to opt out of).