IPhone and iPod touch users now have a faster and more unique way to search Google. The Google search app has been redesigned with a more intuitive interface that is extremely gesture-friendly.
There are a bunch of improvements overall, as you would expect from a Google Search app, including Google Googles, voice search, and even number of unread messages in Gmail.
Google has added Instant Previews to specific mobile devices. Similar to Google Instant Previews for desktops, which Google implemented in November, the mobile version has a magnifying glass icon next to each site listing.
From there, users can click on the icon to pull up a preview of the site without ever leaving the search engine results page. This is a time saver for users looking for a specific type of a site or trying to avoid the scraper sites, dynamic pages, or the just plain ugly site.
The Google Mobile team announced a new feature in local search that factors in the hours a business is open. Over the past year, Google has added a sidebar full of options for searching what’s near you or other various options to narrow down your search options. Now they’re bringing it to mobile search, too.
Searching on mobile devices is all about convenience. Google added location to its default search, both in the browser and in the mobile search apps for Android and iOS.
With the explosion of mobile users and projected growth showing staggering numbers, it’s a great time for Google to clear the air on mobile sites.
A new post published on Google’s Webmaster Central Blog clarifies several common mobile site issues and focuses on Google-bot mobile interacting with a users site.
Mobile sites are frequently set up as a supplemental site on a different domain. A mobile user is redirected to the separate mobile site once they type in the domain. Another option, a separate style sheet assigned when a mobile user accesses the site. Both methods rely on the user agent to proceed accordingly.
Google has announced updates to Google News for Android, iPhone, and Palm Pre. Also, it’s search application debuted yesterday on Windows Phone 7 devices.
Google News for Mobile
Google says the News redesign expands the story space to make tapping on articles easier and more accurate. Tap anywhere on an article headline or snippet to open it. Clicking on a section heading opens up that topic section on your screen.
Also, to reduce scrolling time, stories appear collapsed by default. To expand a story, tap “More sources,” which will show related stories from other sources. Google provided screenshots of the collapsed and expanded story view:
Google has announced updates to Google News for Android, iPhone, and Palm Pre. Also, it’s search application debuted yesterday on Windows Phone 7 devices.
Google News for Mobile
Google says the News redesign expands the story space to make tapping on articles easier and more accurate. Tap anywhere on an article headline or snippet to open it. Clicking on a section heading opens up that topic section on your screen.
Also, to reduce scrolling time, stories appear collapsed by default. To expand a story, tap “More sources,” which will show related stories from other sources. Google provided screenshots of the collapsed and expanded story view:
If your NCAA March Madness brackets are as messed up as mine, you’ll need a distraction this weekend.
So, catch up with these search stories from the week that just didn’t make it into their own post.
Google Analytics is now integrated into the Microsoft Silverlight framework. They also announced they are developing a global, browser-based opt-out plugin.
Google Commerce Search added advanced synonym options.
Google Android has added Gesture Search to versions 1.6 or higher.
Yahoo! is acquiring CitizenSports.com.
AOL is expanding their local efforts.
MapQuest adds “Search Along Your Route” functionality to its mobile version.
Find out what’s in stock nearby.
Ever go to pick up something at a store and they’re out. No problem, just go to another store or another location of the same chain. But they don’t have it either. Annoying.
Google wants to help you save time (and frustration) by showing you what’s in stock where.
While you’re out, simply go to google.com on your mobile phone. Click the “More” tab and select “Shopping.” Do your search thang.
A list of results will come up – look for a blue dot with either “In stocky nearby” or “Limited availability.” Click the link and find out which store has what you’re looking for.
Handwrite your way to faster search.
If we’re going to be honest, no one completely loves the process of typing search queries (or typing much of anything) onto a mobile device. The search engines know it – that’s why they include query suggestion features on their mobile apps.
There are also voice search features, barcode scanning apps and experiments with like-image search. Now you can add another nifty search feature to the lineup: gesture search.
Google has introduced the feature as a Labs product for Android. To use the search, you write a letter across the screen. Gestures search will then begin bringing up contacts, apps, bookmarks and music that begin with the letter.
The iPhone/iPod Touch application is the latest in a buying spree.
Gabor Cselle is the Founder and CEO of reMail, an iPhone and iPod Touch application that downloads email and makes it searchable. Cselle has announced that reMail has been acquired by Google.
As part of the acquisition, Cselle will now join the Gmail team at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View. Cselle previously worked at Google, so we’re guessing he’ll handle the ropes quite well.
Also as part of the acquisition, reMail has been removed from the iTunes App Store. Support for existing customers will run through March.
