AppleInsider Staff
Google's official Search application for iPhone and iPad was updated on Tuesday with enhanced functionality, allowing users to have "smarter conversations" with the software in a manner not unlike Apple's own Siri personal assistant.
With Google Search version 4.0.0, users can ask questions with their voice, by either tapping the microphone icon or simply saying "OK, Google" while the application is open.
From there, Google Search can respond to queries such as "What's the weather like?" The new "smart" conversational style allows users to ask follow-up questions such as "How about this weekend?" and the system will understand the context.
The Google Search update also provides users with updates on favorite topics, upcoming trips, and other material such as selected authors or blogs.
Version 4.0.0 of Google Search also includes cricket sports card in the Google Now view, faster loading, and more fluid image results.
Voice search first came to Google Search in late 2012, at the time proclaiming it to be the "most advanced voice search" available. As Apple and Google have become fierce rivals in the mobile space, Apple has made efforts to move away from the search giant, making the default search engine for Siri Microsoft's Bing with last year's iOS 7 update.
Marko Zivkovic
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Oliver Haslam
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55 Comments
Why bother? Google sucks.
“Answers before you ask”
Not only is this not a point in its favor, this concept is terrifying and invasive.
And Apple will update Siri with IOS 8 and it will still be better and won't sell your information to the world like Google will.
Google Now is pretty cool - love its cards. When I was travelling, it'd show me nearby attractions, time back at home, and a currency converter. It also does cool things like showing traffic.
I can understand why some people would be concerned by it, but that's why it's an opt-in feature.
"OK Google, recommend a nearby restaurant for dinner" "Based on your location, and all the information we have compiled on you from all your past Google searches and gmail messages, Google has a recommendation for you, but first Google will show you ads for 4 other restaurants that have paid us money to promote them. "Google is sorry you are not interested in any of the restaurants in those ads - Google recommends you go to the 7-Eleven around the corner and get a microwave burrito and a Slurpee"