Voice-based search, answers coming to Google Search app for iOS devices

Readers who are fortunate enough to have spent some time using Android 4.1 Jelly Bean are familiar with the Google Now app for conducting searches. The Google Now app lets users speak a question and then get an answer spoken back to them. Basically, the app is a voice-recognition interface similar to the Siri functionality Apple shows off in their commercials for iOS devices. Google has announced that some of the functionality present in the Google Now app will be ported over to the Google Search app for iOS devices, specifically the Voice Search capabilities.

Scheduled to be available in the App Store within a couple days according to Amit Singhal, SVP Google Search, the Google Search app will run on iOS 4.2 or higher. Using their ubiquitous vanilla white interface, users can tap on the microphone icon, then speak their question. The app will return a page of search results and if the answer is fairly straightforward, will “speak” the answer. In some cases, like searches for images or videos, the app will go straight to a tab in the app showing a video or photos. The app is aware of who you are, as in “when is my flight?” will return results for you specifically. Search results can also factor in contextual and location awareness, especially useful when inquiring about locations

Google is stressing that the iOS app is not the same as the Google Now app available for Android devices. Results are not returned using “cards.” The only function being ported is the Voice Search portion of the app. Check out the video below for a demonstration of how the new app works on iOS devices.

View the original article here

Read More

Google launches trial to include Gmail messages in search results

Google announced today a new experiment with their search results. In addition to the results brought up from the web, users can now receive results from email messages in their Gmail account. The results will show up in a sidebar set apart from the normal web results. It remains unclear exactly how this new functionality may be useful to end users, though I have no doubt someone will figure out a way to make it meaningful.

Along with the inclusion of Gmail results being served up, Google also announced some other features they are working on as part of this experiment in improving search results. They revealed an option for entering a string like [my flights] to produce a nicely formatted page showing flight data. The ability to search Gmail messages is probably integral to being able to then build this kind of functionality. Seeing Gmail results along with web results may just be a consequence of Google’s efforts to build some of these other search capabilities.

Participation in the experiment is only available to users who sign up for it. Two hurdles have to be overcome. First, it can only be used with @gmail.com accounts. Second, only English language accounts can join. Assuming you meet those requirements, you can sign up and at some point Google promises to notify you if you have been accepted and have access to the new search functions. Follow the source link if you are interested in giving the Google Search experiment a spin.

View the original article here

Read More

Google Maps Real Time Traffic Data Expanded Worldwide, Adds 130 U.S. Cities

First we got offline maps, then indoor maps and walking directions for museums. Now Google Maps gets even better with expanded traffic coverage worldwide. The capitals of Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama have been added, and a whopping 130 US cities will also be receiving traffic information and estimated travel times. So if you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan or Tuscaloosa, Alabama, welcome to the party!
In addition, Google has improved and expanded coverage in Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Hit the source link for a complete list of all cities covered.

View the original article here

Read More

Google’s YouTube app will not be included in iOS6

Apple users will notice more than Google Maps missing from iOS6 when it rolls out later this year. The latest beta versions reveal a standard YouTube app will not be included. Apple says it is a case of the license expiring. What they say may not really be what then think though. This could be another step in Apple’s scorched earth policy to rid iOS of all Google apps. Apparently Apple believes they can overcome user affinity for the YouTube app by providing YouTube access via the Safari web browser.

In response, Google is now working on sorely needed upgrades to their own standalone YouTube app to be made available through the App Store. This may actually be a benefit for users who will likely end up with a better app and YouTube experience now that Google’s hands are not tied by Apple’s requirements for the operating system included app.

View the original article here

Read More

Google pulls plug on Google Listen app

Yesterday on the Google Official Blog, Max Ibel, Director of Engineering, announced several changes to Google products. Included was the news that Google is officially pulling the plug on the Google Listen app. Launched in August 2009, Google Listen was a way to access podcasts. According to Google, there are many other apps for finding and listening to podcasts available through Google Play, so Google Listen is no longer needed. The app will continue to work for listening to podcasts for users that have it installed. However, after November 1st, podcast search will no longer function. Users can still use Google Reader to locate their subscriptions and use the download function.

View the original article here

Read More

American Express never agreed to be part of Google Wallet but negotiations are in progress

A couple of days ago Google announced a major update to Google Wallet and one of the major changes was the ability to use any major debit or credit card. They mentioned Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, but apparently American Express wasn’t officially part of the program. An American Express rep said that users a free to load American Express cards into Google Wallet and use them, but they never agreed to anything.

“We want to make sure Google’s mobile wallet product meets the standards we set for our Cardmembers in terms of transparency and clarity about transaction detail,”
AmEx social media VP Bradley Minor told me. “Right now, American Express does not have an agreement with Google for our cards to be used in the Google mobile wallet.”
Later Google made this statement:

“For many years, we’ve accepted American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover for online and mobile transactions. The latest version of Google Wallet extends these same benefits to people who choose to use the Google Wallet app to make purchases in-store. We are in active discussions with American Express and look forward to working together as partners as the world embraces digital payments.”

I can’t understand why Google announced American Express as onboard, but hopefully it will get worked out shortly.

View the original article here

Read More

Official Nexus 7 Cover Now Available in the Google Play Store

We’ve been keeping an eye out for the official Nexus 7 cover to become available in the Google Play store and today they finally landed. Only available in dark grey, a new case for your N7 is going to set you back just over $30 depending on your local tax. This includes $19.99 for the unit, $9.99 for 2-day shipping, and a few bucks for uncle Sam. It seems a little pricey after all is said and done but it could very well be worth it to have some custom fitting protection. We will get ours in a few days so stay tuned for some feedback. Heck, if a few of you are interested, I could even throw a quick video together showing you how it looks/works on the tablet. In the meantime, if you already know you want one, hit up the source link below.

Source: Google Play

Read More

Nexus Q Stock Sold Out? Once Again Shipping in 2-3 Weeks

It was only a couple days ago that Google’s Nexus Q was finally listed as “in stock” from the Google Play store and in a blink of an eye she’s gone again. Whether the demand was so high that stock was drained almost overnight or there was some sort of production glitch, either way, the social media streamer is once again listed as shipping “soon.”  If you have been holding out on ordering a new Nexus Q it looks like you are going to have to wait another 2-3 weeks for shipping if you decide to bite the bullet any time soon. In the meantime, if you haven’t made up your mind on whether or not the Q is for you, you should check out our full hands-on review and we’ll be sure to let you know once more stock becomes available.

Source: Google Play

Read More

Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi Soak Test To Begin Tonight: Jelly Bean Incoming?

We already knew about the upcoming Motorola Xoom soak test and now we have confirmation that it will begin very soon… possibly as soon as tonight. Members of the Motorola Feedback Network are receiving emails that pretty much state that it’s coming any time now. Though the email does not specifically state this is the Jelly Bean update, our sources tell us that it is. Of course, that should not be a surprise to anyone considering the Xoom is pretty much a Nexus device (without the Nexus name) getting updates directly from Google.

Source: Android

Read More

SDK for Android 4.1 is now available

Google released the Android 4.1 SDK today and it is now available for download. Included with the SDK are revised versions of SDK Tools (20.1.1) and NDK revision 8b. The new tools will let developers publish code up to API level 16 using Jelly Bean APIs. As usual, the SDK is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.  The SDK and related tools can be installed via an existing installation of the SDK or one can head over to the Android Developers’ web site.

Nick Butcher, an Android engineer who announced the release on the Android Developers blog, also provided some hints and recommendations to improve the level of polish and professional presentation for new Jelly Bean apps. The advice is provided as a way to help developers get a jump start on app development that goes beyond just working, especially since this will likely be developers’ first exposure to Jelly Bean. The tips and tricks are geared toward the Google Nexus 7, but should translate to other devices over time.
Follow the source link to read up on Butcher’s suggestions and to access the SDK on the developers’ web site.

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

Google giving out multiple $25 credits for Play Store to new Nexus 7 owners

As users with Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet are figuring out, when setting up the device to access the Play Store, Google is providing a $25 credit for registering. But the good times don’t stop there. If you do a factory reset of the device and register a new account, including providing valid credit card information, an additional $25 credit will be issued by Google.

It is unclear as to whether this is really what Google intended to occur and may be questionable, though not unprecedented, behavior. In any case, if you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, you may want to do so as soon as possible in case Google makes a change.

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

Update To Google Play Music Brings Improved UI, Playing Queue, and More

You may want to check your app updates because Google Play Music just got an awesome new update. This new version comes with a bunch of new improvements and features such as:
Now Playing queue that allows for queuing and reordering of currently playing music.
New UI for navigation with transport controls on the action bar.
New large album art view on Recent.
Playlist art is now constructed from album art of songs in the playlist.
Now Playing widget has album art and support for thumbs up.
Harder, better, faster, stronger.
I’m already loving this new version. The improved UI makes for a cleaner look, the playlist art is a nice new addition, and I’m especially loving the new queuing features. This is definitely much better than previous versions of Google music. Grab the updated version through either of the links below.

Google Play Store

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

Eric Schmidt On Google: ““We Always Wanted To Be In The Hardware Business”

Google head honcho Eric Schmidt recently stopped by the Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho to share with the fine folks in the audience Google’s new Nexus 7 and Nexus Q. While offering a show-and-tell of both products, Schmidt took some time to also share Google’s vision for the future and what it has intended to do all along when it comes to the hardware business. Schmidt highlights:

“We always wanted to be in the hardware business. Larry and Sergey have always wanted to do hardware in one form or another. This was a way to get into it quickly.”

While there’s no indication Google is trying to be a hardware company (after all— the company’s foundation is on both its search engine and advertising), Google obviously is looking above and beyond. After all, it has special projects in the making such as the famed Project Glass and lest we forget— it did acquire a certain handset maker last year which Schmidt himself promises will bring “a new batch of products” soon-to-be ready for prime time. Now that we know Eric, Sergey and Larry are clearly working on some goodies behind the scenes, one has to wonder what else the world can be treated to.

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

Here’s another hilarious Siri vs Google Voice Search video

There has been so many videos lately that pit Siri against Google’s new Voice Search from Jelly Bean. Google seems to win the majority of them and this video is no different, but it’s pretty funny as well. Annie Gaus from App Judgement decided to test them both out with actual questions that she Googled in the last week. Let’s just say Siri didn’t fair to well, and this video will definitely give you a nice chuckle to start off your Monday.

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

US Retailers Reporting Google Nexus 7 Tablet As Sold Out

Looks like Google may have hit a home run with the $199 Nexus 7 tablet (read our full review here). According to Reuters, retailers across the US are reporting their stock as being sold out. So far, GameStop, Staples, Sam’s Club, Office Depot, and Walmart have all run out of their pre-order allotments before the Nexus 7 even hit store shelves.

Read More

If you pre-ordered your Nexus 7 from Gamestop, good news, it’s now in stock

Those of you that decided to order your Nexus 7 through Gamestop are the lucky ones because you will be able to play with your new Nexus 7 before those that ordered it through Google Play. Gamestop is sending out texts and emails letting those who pre-ordered know that it’s in stock and ready for pick up.
Now if you didn’t pre-order, don’t plan on stopping by to snag one because they only received enough stock to cover pre-orders. The regular supply won’t hit stores until August 7.

Source: TalkAndroid

Read More

Google confirms that your Nexus 7 is on the way

With the exception of those lucky Google I/O attendees, the rest of the world is waiting to get their hands on Google and Asus’ 7″ wonder-tablet. Today brings great news straight from the horses mouth as Google has announced that the Nexus 7 is winging it’s way to a doormat near you.

Read More

Nexus 7 tablet gets Android 4.1.1 update with Google Wallet and performance enhancements

Those of you that have the Google I/O edition of the Nexus 7 tablet are getting an update to Android 4.1.1. This is the update that hit AOSP servers the other day. According to Google, it “improves performance and responsiveness system wide.

Read More

Jelly Bean Rolling Out To HSPA+ Versions Of The Galaxy Nexus; Other Developer Devices To Follow

It was only a matter of time before we saw the first batch of Google devices get the anticipated Jelly Bean update since you know— it had just released Android 4.1 to the AOSP and all. And so just when you thought life with the GSM/HSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus couldn’t get any better, it just got better as it is officially getting the smooth and buttery update.

Read More

Jelly Bean version of Google Play Music now available for ICS devices

Those of you that aren’t lucky enough to be running a Jelly Bean ROM can still get a taste of it. We showed you how to get the wallpapers, the Sound Search widget, and now we have the Jelly Bean version (4.3.605) of Play Music compliments of XDA member Steveooo7.

Read More