Items tagged with Google Now
Samsung really wants Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners to embrace its home grown Bixby digital assistant. So much, in fact, that it recently pushed out an update blocking people from remapping the Bixby button back to Google Now. That bit of software strong-arming did not sit well with some users, particularly since Bixby is not a matured AI at this point—it does not respond to voice commands, for example. Well, a frustrated developer at Reddit decided to push back with an app that gives users the ability to once again map the Bixby button to Google Now. "I was really determined to find a new way to launch Google now when I pressed the Bixby button. So I threw together a quick app in 20 minutes...
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Microsoft has big plans with Windows 10 and Windows 10 for Mobile, but let's face it, Microsoft's shooting for relevancy, not mobile domination. That's okay, because Microsoft can still leverage Android, the most popular mobile operating system in the world (and it's not even close), to its advantage, and that's exactly what it's doing.You may recall that Microsoft released Cortana for Android last month. It debuted as a private beta, and as of the latest update, Android users rocking Cortana can replace Google Now with Microsoft's digital assistant. That means Cortana, not Google Now, would spring to life when pressing and holding the Home button.According to WinBeta, you can't say "Hey Cortana"...
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In early March, managing director of Microsoft Research managing editor Eric Horvitz hinted that the Cortana digital assistant would be making its way to both iOS and Android platforms after being a Windows Phone exclusive for quite some time (it has also found a home in Windows 10). Microsoft made that news official in late May, confirming that the world’s two top mobile operating systems would receive Cortana support. The iOS and Android Cortana apps were supposed to debut later this month alongside the retail launch of Windows 10, but the Android app has leaked early and can be download right now as an APK. As you might expect, Cortana functionality on Android for the most part mirrors what...
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Google released an update for Chrome OS late last week. Chromebook users have had the weekend to form an opinion of the new Launcher, which has Google Now integration and improved typed and voice search functionality. So far, the reaction to Chrome OS 42 is mixed. Comments posted on Google’s Chrome Releases blog suggest that some Chrome users aren’t seeing Google Now cards in the new Launcher. “I concur with other posters who complained they can’t find Google Now,” user Jim Thompson commented on Google’s blog post. “I still get cards in Notifications and have no access to Google Now from the launcher.” One user noted that he also isn’t getting Google Now in notifications, as well as the Launcher....
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Earlier this year, Google made a big splash with its $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest Labs. In the months following the announcement, Google tossed around the idea of displaying ads on your thermostat or fridge and began the process of harvesting data from Nest Thermostat users.However, the Google-Nest Labs hook-up is beginning to make more and more sense as the couple closes in on one year post-acquisition. Today, Google announced that voice control is coming to the Nest Thermostat via Google Now for both Android and iOS users.All you have to do is say “OK Google” to being the process. Once prompted, you can say, “turn the thermostat to 67 degrees” and your command will be sent directly to the...
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Teenagers are usually quick to adapt to technology, so it shouldn't be too surprising that teens are the ones embracing hands-free search. According to the results of Google's Mobile Voice Study, 55 percent of teenagers between the age of 13-18 years old use voice search on a daily basis, versus 41 percent of adults. "Voice search is a key feature of the Google app that's becoming ever more important as people spend more time on their mobile phones," said Scott Huffman, Google's Vice President for Conversational Search. "We wanted to learn more about how people of all ages use Google hands-free on their phones. We found that for teens, voice search comes as naturally as checking social media...
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It feels like the epic battle of iPhone vs. Android vs. Windows Phone has been going on forever, and admittedly, it's a bit tired at this point. To help freshen things up, it would be wise to take a look at what the phones can actually do, and then see which one handles a certain common function better. The folks at Stone Temple Consulting decided to do just that, and had voice recognition and question interpretation in its sights. Thus, we're entering a new epic battle: Siri vs. Google Now vs. Cortana. Over the course of two months, multiple employees at Stone Temple sat at a desk, asking a bunch of questions to each service - 3,086 in all. For the Cortana duties, a Nokia Lumia 635 was used,...
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Digital assistants have always been a little creepy, but their helpfulness generally outweighs any odd feelings you may have about Siri, Cortana, and Google Now. This week, the last of that bunch gained a few new tricks, and they're ones that you may very well be able to take advantage of soon. The updated Google Now enables you to have even deeper conversations with it about places and businesses. For example, you can say: "Ok Google, show me restaurants near my hotel," and it'll do just that. Then, you can follow up it by asking to see the menu of any on the list. Once you've decided, Google Now can also handle reservations so long as the eatery is in OpenTable's directory. When you’ve...
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It appears that Samsung has more in mind than just making physical changes to its flagship smartphone. Based on some leaked photos floating around cyberspace, Samsung is going for a visual overhaul as well, with the next version of its TouchWiz user interface (UI) overlay for Android looking a lot like Google Now. Twitter user "evleaks" posted a picture of the retooled TouchWiz UI on the microblogging site, giving viewers a glimpse of a tiled interface that could be the lovechild of Google Now and HTC's Blinkfeed, with a little Windows Phone DNA mixed in. Have a look for yourself: It's quite a different look than previous versions of TouchWiz, one that users are apt to either love or hate. The...
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It finally happened: the most unique and intelligent feature of Android Jelly Bean has been ported to iOS. Google has long since believed that it wasn't just about stealing market share with Android; it was about making amazing products that even avid iPhone and iPad users would use. Because in the end, Google isn't trying to sell Android -- Google's trying to get users, who then view ads, and who then give them information that they can use to earn revenue. The end result is pretty simple: the free Google Search app has been updated to provide iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users with access to Google Now. Google Now is about giving you just the right information at just the right time. It can...
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Without question, Google Now is one of the more fantastic software developments to hit the smartphone world in recent years. It's wildly smart, and sincerely does a great job of notifying you of things that you'll need to be know soon -- it anticipates your needs, and gives you information to achieve. And now, Now is getting even more personal. Google has today decided to integrate Google Now with new partners, and make information even easier to access. Going to the movies? Movie cards now include the latest ratings from Rotten Tomatoes, so you can pick the right movie. Purchase your tickets through Fandango, and Google Now will remind you when you need to leave for the theater, and pull up...
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Google released a new ad for its Nexus 4 phone that shows off the power of Google Now. In the ad, users around the world are shown using various features of Google Now, a service that is designed to display useful information at just the right time. Google Now is designed to compete with Apple's Siri, a popular voice-enabled service on the iPhone. While Apple's Siri personal assistant can provide useful information that's similar to some of the information Google Now offers, Siri is designed to be used with your voice. In contrast, Google's Now takes information from your schedule, location, the weather, etc., and uses it to provide you with helpful and relevant information in the form...
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Google Now, an all-purpose alert system introduced in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, is hopping over to the desktop. It will be integrated into a future build of the Chrome browser, giving desktop users access to the same groovy alerts and notifications that Android users receive, such as birthday reminders, weather alerts, nearby traffic information, and a plethora of other information to help you plan your day. It's unclear when Google Now for Chrome will debut, though a "skeleton" framework exists for the final product. And while CNet claims to have confirmed with Google its plans to port Google Now to Chrome, the sultan of search is keeping the details tight lipped at the moment, saying "we have...
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Gmail Mobile is out and ready for use. Gmail Mobile is the latest addition to Google's ever expanding range of e-mail services. Heading to https://m.gmail.com on your mobile phone will let you access your Gmail from anywhere. If you've never surfed the web with your phone, Google will help you get started. Now you can access your Gmail messages from the web browser on your mobile phone or device. Read and reply to your Gmail messages any time, anywhere. * It's free. (But your wireless plan might still charge, so you might want to check with your provider first.) * It's smart. It can handle attachments like photos and .pdf files....
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