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Google updates iOS Search app, rolls out nutritional information in search results

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 31, 2013

I really, really wish Apple doubled down on Siri. When the intelligent personal assistant debuted as an iPhone 4S-exclusive back in October 2011, Siri was likened to a seismic shift that would vastly improve our interactions with the devices in our lives. And it did.

But merely nineteen months later, Google has leapfrogged Siri with Google Now, which combines the power of Google search with the company's Knowledge Graph and top-notch voice recognition to deliver relevant info before you even asked for it.

But Google isn't standing still. Today the firm has updated its native iOS Search app with "location improvements and bug fixes." And just yesterday, it announced that nutritional information will start cropping up in search results across platforms, including iOS and Android applications that incorporate Google Now...

Google: All Access streaming coming to iOS in coming weeks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2020

Earlier this month, the search monster at the Google I/O developers conference unveiled its new $9.99 a month subscription service called Google Play Music All Access. It offers streaming from Google’s catalog of "millions of tracks" and supports curated playlists, radio stations and ability to remove unwanted songs.

While Google initially said the service will run on Android devices and on the web, there was no mention of iOS whatsoever. During today's interview at the D11 conference, Google's new Android lead Sundar Pichai confirmed that Google Play Music All Access is coming to iOS in the next few weeks...

Google rolling out new-look Gmail inbox with categories and tabbed UI

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2013

In a steady stream of updates, Google has been perfecting its mobile Gmail app, adding new features and smoothing out rough edges over time. For example, back in March the Gmail iOS app added new gestures so you could swipe left and right to move between messages, without having to return to their inbox. And in a minor update earlier in the month, the software gained ability to open web links in Google's other apps, like Maps and YouTube.

Well, today's a big day as the Gmail team just announced a brand new inbox across mobile Gmail apps and on the web. So, what's new? Basically, categories and tabbed interface, to allow for easier organization of email messages.

Read on for additional details and promo video...

Here comes the Google Glass photographer

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Although I haven’t yet convinced iDB’s own Sebastien Page to buy me a Google Glass, I’m a big fan of the Internet giant’s augmented-reality eyewear. But just like the majority of respondents in our non-scientific poll, I too would rather wear Apple’s rumored iWatch over Google’s wearable gizmo.

The biggest problem with Glass, as I see it, is social rather than technical. With that in mind, here's something you could be seeing real soon: the Google Glass photographer.

Go past the fold for a funny clip...

Google looking to develop wireless networks in emerging markets

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 21, 2017

Say what you want about Google, but the portfolio of its 'X' lab is quite impressive. The secret department is responsible for churning out Jetson-like projects including self-driving cars and computerized glasses. It even dabbles in TV services, and gigabit internet.

And it looks like they're about to take on another ambitious venture: building out wireless networks. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, the tech giant is in talks with regulators, in a few different countries, about their plans to go wireless...

Watch out Facebook, Google’s also considering Waze buyout

Cody Lee ∙ May 24, 2013

Whatever the folks over at Waze are doing, they must be doing it right. Earlier this month, we heard that Facebook was looking to acquire the Palo Alto-based startup and its popular crowd-sourced navigation app for a cool $1 billion.

But as it turns out, they're not the only ones interested. According to a new report, a number of tech companies have approached the Waze team over a possible buyout deal, including Google, meaning a bidding war could be afoot...

gMusic updated with support for Google’s new All Access music service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2020

I've been keeping an eye on the gMusic Twitter account all week. Last year the app was first to iOS with support for Google's cloud-based Music storage, and I knew it'd be the same way this year with support for Google's new All Access subscription service.

That support arrived today in the form of gMusic 6.0. And in addition to 'All Access' access, the update brings a number of useful playback and management features like the ability to create and play radio stations, and to search for/ add music to your library...

After being dumped from App Store, AppGratis launches Android version

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

After great wailing and gnashing of teeth about its banishment from Apple's App Store earlier this year, AppGratis is back - for Android users. The app recommendation engine was yanked after Apple outlawed iOS apps which promoted other apps.

Now in the Google's Play store Android repository, developers claim AppGratis "is designed from the ground up" for the iOS rival. Yet, the service appears much like the AppGratis ejected from the app's first choice, the App Store...

Voice Search coming to Chrome for iOS soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2013

Google is on a roll these days. Hot on the heels of updating its desktop Chrome browser with Siri-like conversational search earlier today, the Internet giant just published a post over at the official Chrome blog confirming that Chrome for iPhone and iPad with voice search is "coming soon."

A Chrome update for the iPhone and iPad will be ready "over the coming days" and will let you speak your searches into Omnibox, which in Google's parlance means Chrome's combined search and address box.

You'll even get certain results spoken back to you, right in the Chrome browser - how cool is that?

EU examining tax evasion tricks by Apple, Google and Amazon

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

More than $1 trillion leaked from the tax coffers of EU member states each year, an amount large enough to prompt European leaders Wednesday to hold a summit on reforming corporate taxes. The move follows high-profile investigations showing Apple and other tech giants used European countries to avoid paying taxes in their home countries.

Earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook testified before a Senate subcommittee investigating how the iPhone maker used a hole in Ireland's tax laws to lower its U.S. tax burden on $74 billion held overseas...

Apple claims Google Now violates its Siri patents, adds Galaxy S4 to suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2013

A week ago, news broke that Apple mulled adding Samsung's latest Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone to its patent infringement case against Samsung Electronics. It's not terribly surprising then that Apple has now filed a motion asserting that both the Internet giant's head-turning Google Now feature and Samsung's Galaxy S4 handset violate its two Siri patents and five other inventions...