My favorite feature of Google Now is that when I've searched for a place/address in Chrome on a PC, it automatically pops up with proposed navigation in a card on my phone. That has saved me so many times from the "dammit, I can't remember the street number" while moving from house to car.
p.s. This is one widget where allowing it to use the maximum space possible makes a lot of sense, especially when traveling internationally (traffic, places, weather, currency, timezone, social/birthdays, calendar events, "things nearby".
The problem with this is their false matches. For example I looked up cffi (C foreign function interface) library. They decided to add a stock ticker of the same letters despite me never clicking on any stock links.
Any lookups of other things give the same results, such as looking up news stories (eg a plane crash starts tracking flights of the same number) or how many calories there are in a McDonalds burger (starts showing nearest locations). I don't remember the example now but I've had it decide other searches are really for sports teams. (Annoyingly they also don't consider Formula 1 a sport.)
The biggest problem is the functionality is non-deterministic. You can't be sure if a card will appear for flights (eg you look one up you expect to meet tomorrow), and you get unintended junk at other times.
The reason is that Google are taking a superficial approach, almost just doing string matching. They aren't going deeper and figuring out more context (eg did I mean a stock, which day do I care about for a flight, is there any chance I'm looking for a McDonalds versus looking at corporate financials).
I agree, but it's worth noting that you can go to Navigation and recent searches on your PC should appear in the dropdown list of places to choose from, so it's not Now-specific.
Eh, I find it kind of annoying, a notification for every restaurant, city, country, etc that I look up and have absolutely zero intention of traveling to. It has potential to be useful, but it needs to get smarter first.
Maybe I spend too much time searching Maps randomly.
I've been using the Google map's star feature for this type of address transferring - star a location on PC and it will show up on your phone in seconds, you just need to unstar it later if it's not an address you want your map to remember.
It would have a lot lot better feature if Android could manage battery usage for things like GPS in a low power mode[1] even if it was on all the time and would only activate in the background intermittently or AGPS fetches some region of interest. Though for this to work efficiently AGPS shall have to be more accurate than it is as of now - at least available on Android phones.
[1]Sth like Bluetooth Low Energy (it requires additional h/w though)
Funny, if Apple trawled through your email, calendar and search history to pull a stunt like this people would be up in arms.
Guess whether a walled garden is a bad thing depends on your particular brand of fanboyishness.
Personally speaking, the idea of Google displaying things based on my email history, diary and a knowledge of my location makes me shudder, "You're near that motel where you had that quickie last month, want to make a reservation?".
People are "up in arms" about Google's email reading _constantly_. Microsoft is producing brand new ads about it as we type. Maybe it's just hard to care after this long? Google has been traipsing through my email for a decade now and all that's ever come of it has been my personal convenience.
Of course it would, because they'd be trawling through data I haven't given them. People have given Google their email, calendar and search history by using their services. We already know they have all of our data. Is it a little scary? Sure. But you can remedy that by choosing not to give all your data to one company. You just forgo, what could be, cool features like Now by doing so.
Funny, if Apple trawled through your email, calendar and search history to pull a stunt like this people would be up in arms.
Would they? Is there any precedent here of Apple scraping user info? The usual complaints against Apple (mine included) is that their systems are far too locked down and closed to competition- not that they do funny stuff with my data.
Unless something has changed since I first set up google now on my phone, anything that requires trawling through your inbox is entirely opt-in (that is, another layer of opt-in beyond installing the app and enabling google now)
After listening to friends rave about Now and reading so many positive comments online I really wanted to like it. I've been using it for a few months and my experience is significantly worse than what others have reported. It always seems to show me notifications for the wrong information at the wrong time.
Take directions. I work at a coworking space 4 miles from my home. The hours I'm there vary. Now seems to try predicting when I'm going to leave and shows me directions home. Its timing is never correct and I don't need directions for a route I drive all the time.
I can only remember one instance of it correctly notified me of when to leave (with directions) for something on my calendar. Often it just shows directions without the "Leave Now" message.
Sometimes it notifies me of the weather. Sometimes it doesn't. I haven't figured out that pattern yet.
Overall it just doesn't seem to understand my usage patterns.
> I work at a coworking space 4 miles from my home. The hours I'm there vary.
Followed by:
> Overall it just doesn't seem to understand my usage patterns.
It sounds like that's because there isn't a pattern, at least in the case of your commute. You should just configure it to not try to show you those directions.
Guessing random working hours are hard for any algorithm. I wouldn't really hold that against google. As well, the directions to common destinations is more about knowing what traffic will be like and if you should take an alternate route. This is much more useful for those that commute farther.
I had plans in G+ to go to the Exploratorium at 2:00 on Saturday. I finished brunch early, so I arrived at 1:30. Google Now interrupted me at 1:45 to remind me to go to the Exploratorium.
I fell for Google Now when I booted my old Nexus to test test something, and Google Now had read through my emails and showed me a tracking status for a UPS package I was expecting. I was pretty jealous of that functionality, but never convinced to go back to Android just for one feature. Now, I really have no reason.
It's also pretty telling of something when more iOS devices have Google Now than Android devices do.
I had a similar "whoa" moment a couple of weeks ago.
Google alerted me that I should leave for Santa Barbara "now".
Which was really, really weird for me, since I was already halfway there (from Phoenix).
Apparently, it had read through my emails, seen a receipt for sigur ros tickets from ticketmaster, figured out where I was, and already calculated how long it would take me to get there.
I have a question for our Android-using brethren who've had the opportunity to play with Now. I've read a bit about it over the past few weeks, and I've been excited about a port to iOS, but now that I have it, I'm not sure how or if it'll fit into my life day-to-day.
At first brush, all I see is a weather widget. I know there's more to it, but where exactly does the magic happen? What have you done (if anything) to maximize its value?
I'm a bit surprised that the iphone version of Google Now beat the Chrome version of Google Now.
In my mind, Google Now is about carving out a space on devices where they can actually show high value contextual advertising outside of search. Their pitch to advertisers will be much stronger if they have a foothold on every device.
I'm also surprised that this was released before Google I/O. Between near confirmation that Android will be 4.3, and the string of major product releases of the last couple of months, it looks like any major announcements will have to come from left field. The Google X people have been dropping hints about some sort of Control Systems thing....
I've used personal assistant like products before. But google now is the only one I keep going back to. Personal context is critical for a working personal assistant - you need to know the whereabout, the calendar, the habit, the preferences about everything. That's the power of Google streamline of products.
Well, I hate to admit it, because I am an ex-iOS user that ran away from it because of the closed ecosystem, but seeing that it keeps aggregating the absolute best applications, even from Google, and with the goodness everyone feels is coming from the Ive-influenced iOS 7, I might have to fall back into the walled garden.
I used to think that but lately I've been considering switching to Android. Google Now is one of the reasons. Giving me the opportunity to really try it might make be switch now. I think it's because Google Now isn't the kind of feature you can just test in the shop and make a decision on. It requires actual use to know if you like it.
I was surprised at first, but as I thought about it more, it makes sense. Google wants to have you using Google's services. Whether that's on iOS or Android, they probably could not care less. The larger the audience, the more their services get used.
Dammit Google, this is awesome, and genius, and pretty much obsoletes Siri, but why didn't you push this in the Android Google search app? I really want Now on my phone since it's awesome on my tablet, but I can't get Jellybean onto it.
I transited through Melbourne airport last weekend coming home from a holiday. Checked my phone and Google Now told me the projected travel time to the hotel I always stay in when I'm there for work.
(Judging by the other comments here, maybe I should complain about that - it should have known I was on holidays. But I'm not jaded enough and so I was just dazzelled by the wonder of it).
As a new Android convert I've found Google Now to be awesome. Sure, it's not entirely accurate or intuitive, but it definitely helps and is somewhat good at knowing what information I want to see (it seems to be getting better with each day that passes). Based on the comments people expect Google Now to be a mind reading service, but it's merely a companion that tries showing you the information you want without having to ask for it. Google Now coupled with Google Glass will no doubt be an awesome combination though. Good to see it finally hit iOS devices, for those who aren't too picky you'll find it a fun and helpful app to have.
It's kind of wild that Google knows that the only American sports team I follow is Miami Heat. First time launch of Google Now for iOS was the weather and their score yesterday. Amazing first user impression.
Downloading the new Google Search app for my iPhone re-activated "Location History" for my account and tracked me all day until it sent me an email (privacy notice) about how my location history was on.
It sure does! Google can only scan your email, calendar, etc. if you let them. Use outlook.com or Fastmail or iCloud or another alternative if you don't like the agreement Google requires.
Again I run into the issue that Google doesn't seem to release their iPhone apps internationally. I'm in Europe (Iceland, specifically) and I can't download the Google Search or Google Authenticator apps because they're not available in our App Store.
Does this happen to people in any other European countries?
What do you guys do about multiple accounts? I have my email on a Google Apps for Business account since it's set up on a custom domain, but I have my legacy gmail account for everything else (Search, Maps, YouTube, Google+, Play, Checkout, the list goes on). Since there's no way to merge accounts, and Now can only use a single account, I can either have it only get data from my mail, or get data from everywhere BUT my mail.
[+] [-] eitally|13 years ago|reply
p.s. This is one widget where allowing it to use the maximum space possible makes a lot of sense, especially when traveling internationally (traffic, places, weather, currency, timezone, social/birthdays, calendar events, "things nearby".
[+] [-] rogerbinns|13 years ago|reply
Any lookups of other things give the same results, such as looking up news stories (eg a plane crash starts tracking flights of the same number) or how many calories there are in a McDonalds burger (starts showing nearest locations). I don't remember the example now but I've had it decide other searches are really for sports teams. (Annoyingly they also don't consider Formula 1 a sport.)
The biggest problem is the functionality is non-deterministic. You can't be sure if a card will appear for flights (eg you look one up you expect to meet tomorrow), and you get unintended junk at other times.
The reason is that Google are taking a superficial approach, almost just doing string matching. They aren't going deeper and figuring out more context (eg did I mean a stock, which day do I care about for a flight, is there any chance I'm looking for a McDonalds versus looking at corporate financials).
[+] [-] cheald|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mierle|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] timroman|13 years ago|reply
Maybe I spend too much time searching Maps randomly.
[+] [-] kailuowang|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] fakeer|13 years ago|reply
[1]Sth like Bluetooth Low Energy (it requires additional h/w though)
[+] [-] epo|13 years ago|reply
Guess whether a walled garden is a bad thing depends on your particular brand of fanboyishness.
Personally speaking, the idea of Google displaying things based on my email history, diary and a knowledge of my location makes me shudder, "You're near that motel where you had that quickie last month, want to make a reservation?".
[+] [-] pkulak|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] themckman|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] untog|13 years ago|reply
Would they? Is there any precedent here of Apple scraping user info? The usual complaints against Apple (mine included) is that their systems are far too locked down and closed to competition- not that they do funny stuff with my data.
[+] [-] ConstantineXVI|13 years ago|reply
And personally, I'm fine with Google doing so when they're actually doing something for my benefit with it (like Now).
[+] [-] notatoad|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dannyr|13 years ago|reply
People complain here all the time about Google getting access to your personal data.
[+] [-] Red_Curry|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] driverdan|13 years ago|reply
Take directions. I work at a coworking space 4 miles from my home. The hours I'm there vary. Now seems to try predicting when I'm going to leave and shows me directions home. Its timing is never correct and I don't need directions for a route I drive all the time.
I can only remember one instance of it correctly notified me of when to leave (with directions) for something on my calendar. Often it just shows directions without the "Leave Now" message.
Sometimes it notifies me of the weather. Sometimes it doesn't. I haven't figured out that pattern yet.
Overall it just doesn't seem to understand my usage patterns.
[+] [-] moskie|13 years ago|reply
Followed by:
> Overall it just doesn't seem to understand my usage patterns.
It sounds like that's because there isn't a pattern, at least in the case of your commute. You should just configure it to not try to show you those directions.
[+] [-] 51Cards|13 years ago|reply
It's not just about directions, it's about traffic as well. When it maps a regular drive for me it also factors in traffic delays.
[+] [-] kyrra|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bsimpson|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bsimpson|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sahaskatta|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] eddieroger|13 years ago|reply
It's also pretty telling of something when more iOS devices have Google Now than Android devices do.
[+] [-] blhack|13 years ago|reply
Google alerted me that I should leave for Santa Barbara "now".
Which was really, really weird for me, since I was already halfway there (from Phoenix).
Apparently, it had read through my emails, seen a receipt for sigur ros tickets from ticketmaster, figured out where I was, and already calculated how long it would take me to get there.
That is insanely awesome.
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] dirkgently|13 years ago|reply
It's also pretty telling of something when you can make such blind and broad claims when Android is holding significant lead to iOS across the board.
[+] [-] fratis|13 years ago|reply
At first brush, all I see is a weather widget. I know there's more to it, but where exactly does the magic happen? What have you done (if anything) to maximize its value?
[+] [-] zmanian|13 years ago|reply
In my mind, Google Now is about carving out a space on devices where they can actually show high value contextual advertising outside of search. Their pitch to advertisers will be much stronger if they have a foothold on every device.
I'm also surprised that this was released before Google I/O. Between near confirmation that Android will be 4.3, and the string of major product releases of the last couple of months, it looks like any major announcements will have to come from left field. The Google X people have been dropping hints about some sort of Control Systems thing....
[+] [-] kailuowang|13 years ago|reply
Google better not be evil.
[+] [-] adlpz|13 years ago|reply
Apple is really good at this stuff.
[+] [-] stylo|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] k-mcgrady|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Nemisis7654|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mcintyre1994|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] DigitalJack|13 years ago|reply
This is just search isn't it?
[+] [-] nl|13 years ago|reply
(Judging by the other comments here, maybe I should complain about that - it should have known I was on holidays. But I'm not jaded enough and so I was just dazzelled by the wonder of it).
[+] [-] lawdawg|13 years ago|reply
Hope Apple can try their hand at creating some cross platform applications as well.
[+] [-] tambourine_man|13 years ago|reply
iTunes? QuickTime?
[+] [-] DigitalSea|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pclark|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chrisballinger|13 years ago|reply
What the fuck, Google.
[+] [-] kenjackson|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] umsm|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bjustin|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] enginous|13 years ago|reply
Does this happen to people in any other European countries?
[+] [-] gadders|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kalleboo|13 years ago|reply