Google
on Tuesday updated its Search app for iOS to version 4.0.0, adding
several new features and bringing enhanced functionality.
The
updated Google Search app (already available on the
App Store) adds voice capabilities that let users have 'smarter
conversation[s] with Google', similar to Siri. Now users can ask
questions by either tapping the microphone icon or can even initiate a
query by saying "OK, Google".
Google has also added support for
conversational (or natural language) search queries. The search even
responds to consecutive queries. So, a query like 'What's the weather
like?', will provide users weather information of the same day, and for a
follow up question 'How about this weekend?' will show extended results
for weekend.
The updated Google Search app for iOS (v4.0.0)also
brings several other minor features, such as cricket sports cards in
Google Now, faster loading of both Google Search and Google Now, as well
as revamped image results that are more 'beautiful and fluid'. Google
Now will also provide users information about interesting articles on a
favourite topic, upcoming trips, apart from favourite blogs and authors.
Earlier,
the search giant had updated its Google Search app for Android with
numerous new features. Features like a new location-based shopping reminder card shows a recently searched-for product and its
price to user with a list of nearby stores where it can be purchased.
The feature sets a reminder in form of a Google Now card. These cards
can be
accessed
even if there is no active Internet connection. It shows the last state
of the cards when connectivity was available.
The Google Search
app for Android app was also updated with features like new reminders,
'Parking Location' card,
a centralised list of nicknames
and more.