Search Engines

18 'Search Engines' stories March 2011 - December 2014

Bing iOS apps updated with refreshed homescreens; iPad gets instant translation within the app

Ben Lovejoy Dec 19 2014 - 4:21 am PT

Microsoft’s search engine Bing has updated its iPad app to offer instant translation of webpages, and the ability to display trending stories and the image of the day in the Notification Center. The app could previously translate via a Safari extension, but can now do so within the app.

The iPhone app also got a visual refresh, with a swipe-up ‘popular now’ tab at the bottom and the ability to swipe through a choice of background images for the app’s homescreen.

Bing and Yahoo are both reportedly making a bid to become the default search engine for iOS when Google’s contract expires next year.

Both iPhone and iPad apps are a free download from iTunes.

Via TNW

Google Play Music iPad app hidden inside iPhone version, public release likely soon

Dom Esposito May 11 2014 - 6:17 pm PT

8 Comments

We’re hearing that Google Play Music for iPad is getting close to release and a tipster has sent in a few videos showcasing what he/she claims is a pre-release of the new app. We’ve heard independently that Play Music for iPad was getting close to delivery and our tipster says this is a development build (see update below). The app will function similarly to the iPhone version, but redesigned for iPad.

We are still somewhat skeptical of the screenshots below, but the app’s functionality (shown in the videos) seems to be very similar to the iPhone version and it would make sense for Google to release it for iPad. Though we’re still unsure if the update will arrive as a universal build or if Google will have separate versions available in the App Store.

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Google Maps for iOS now notifies drivers of alternative, faster routes while driving

Benjamin Mayo Feb 4 2014 - 4:23 am PT

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Google continues to push its Maps product on iOS in the latest update, version 2.6. The app now alerts the driver when faster routes become available when navigating. This reflects functionality found in dedicated sat navs. Rather than simply offering several routing options at the beginning of your journey, Google will keep aware of traffic and road conditions in case a faster route appears later.

Theoretically, this means you are always on the fastest route possible when navigating. As always, the app is free.

Google Music for iOS launch reportedly is ‘imminent’

Mark Gurman Nov 14 2013 - 6:14 am PT

3 Comments

All the way back in May, Google announced that its new Google Music “All Access” service will be arriving on iOS in the coming “weeks.” However, months have gone by and nothing has launched for iOS. A report last month indicated that the app would arrive at the end of October, and @evleaks has now claimed that the launch is “imminent.” If the app does indeed arrive soon, you can expect full coverage on 9to5.

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Oops – watch those ‘Incognito Mode’ web searches, Chrome’s latest iOS upgrade no longer forgets

Ben Lovejoy Oct 3 2013 - 6:09 am PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61SzHpGGFRs

If you’ve been carrying out any dodgy searches in Incognito Mode in the iOS 7 version of Google Chrome, you may want to wander casually into settings to delete the search history (looking toward the sky and whistling helps): it appears that Incognito Mode currently isn’t. All searches performed in the private browsing mode are available in search history once you return to normal browsing.

The above video is rather swift, and has no commentary, but what it shows is erasing history to start with a clean slate, entering Incognito Mode, visiting a website, returning to normal browsing and then viewing search history at Google – where the supposed private web session shows up.

Note that you do need to visit Google to see the history: it doesn’t show up when simply using the combined URL/search bar.

Google updated the app last month. The company has not yet made any statement on the bug.

Thanks, Robin

Join us for a live Hangout during today’s keynote

Scott Buscemi Sep 10 2013 - 8:52 am PT

19 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T14HAvdtX8A]

Despite our best hopes and wishes, it appears Apple won’t be providing a livestream for today’s event. While you’re keeping tabs right here for our liveblog and tweets, we’ll also be hosting a live Google Hangout starting about 15 minutes before the 10 am PST event and extending through the duration of the keynote.

Check it out here.
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Google brings unified account sign-in to YouTube & AdSense iOS apps

Jordan Kahn Aug 21 2013 - 1:00 pm PT

1 Comment

Following an update to version 2.0 for the YouTube iOS app yesterday, users have noticed that Google appears to have turned on shared account logins for at least YouTube and the recently released AdSense app. That means logging into one app will automatically log you into the other without having to re-enter your account and password. Although the majority of Google’s iOS apps require users to sign into a single Google account used across its services, up until now each app required users to enter their account info when when launching for the first time.

Google didn’t list the new feature when it updated the YouTube app or in the release notes for the new AdSense app, but the support page for YouTube does note, “If you’ve signed in with another Google app on your iOS device, you may see this account listed.” Removing an account in either the AdSense or YouTube app will also remove it from the other app if installed on your device, but Google doesn’t offer users any control over the feature as of yet. Google doesn’t mention support for any specific apps, but we’d imagine this is likely a feature that will make its way to other Google iOS apps in the near future.

Reminder: Google I/O coverage today at 9to5Google

Seth Weintraub May 15 2013 - 4:59 am PT

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Just a friendly reminder that 9to5Google will be covering Google’s yearly developer conference called Google I/O today. The 3 hour(!!) keynote starts at noon ET today and can be watched via live stream here.

9to5Google will be posting the announcements as they happen so check back often.
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Google adds horizontal carousel for web based iPad searches about local places

Jake Smith Dec 4 2012 - 2:33 pm PT

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Google updated its web experience for U.S. iPad users who search for local places, such as bars and restaurants, on Google Search. The Mountain View-based company called the new feature a “horizontal carousel” of results that will display at the top of page, while normal search results will display below. Tapping on a business in the carousel, as seen in the image above, will display quick information about the location, including: address, Zagat rating, phone number, location on a Map, and a link to the website—accompanied with pictures. There’s also a new map link in the upper-right hand corner that shows you nearby places on a map.

Google has always shown its support for tablets and smartphones on its mobile Search page, and today’s update is definitely beneficial. When calling a restaurant to place an order or make a reservation, I’ve found Google to be the quickest way to find the needed information (definitely beating apps like Yellow Pages to get the same information).

Source: Google
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Google I/O 2012 Liveblog

Élyse Betters Jun 27 2012 - 9:19 am PT

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The 2012 Google I/O Developers Conference starts today at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco, Calif., with events continuing until June 29 at 4:30 p.m. PST.

For those interested in what the folks at Mountain View are announcing this morning, check out 9to5Google. Seth Weintraub is live-blogging from the event now:

Google I/O 2012 Liveblog

Here are a few vids for some of the key announcements:

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Google accelerating development of Siri competitor for Android

Jordan Kahn Jun 19 2012 - 7:14 am PT

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The Wall Street Journal reported that Google is accelerating its plans to launch a competitor to Siri. 9to5Google has the full story:

We have heard several reports in the past that Google was working on various evolutions of its Voice Actions platform for Android. Back in December we heard of “Project Majel”, which according to reports is the codename for a new voice-controlled assistant app similar to Siri. In March TechCrunch reported on a similar project dubbed Google Assistant. According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Google is accelerating its plans to launch a competitor to Apple’s Siri…

Google follows in Apple’s footsteps, opens in-app subscriptions for Google Play apps

Élyse Betters May 24 2012 - 10:45 am PT

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Apple unveiled in-app subscriptions for all App Store apps over a year ago, and now Google has announced the same feature today for Google Play apps. The feature is available immediately to users and developers alike for all content-based apps like magazines, newspapers, video, music, and any other type of recurring service that a developer could monetize.

Get the full story at 9to5Google.

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Jury verdict: Android did not infringe upon Oracle’s patents

Seth Weintraub May 23 2012 - 11:47 am PT

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It has been a good week for Google. A jury just found that Google did not violate Oracle’s patents. The full story is at 9to5Google.com

Google Drive goes live [Video]

Seth Weintraub Apr 24 2012 - 9:31 am PT

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After all of this time, Google has now unveiled the Google Drive. Mac Client downloadable here. (Bonus: Gmail bumped to 10GB.)

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Google reveals its Project Glass(es)

Seth Weintraub Apr 4 2012 - 9:31 am PT

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From 9to5Google, which scooped this story months ago (here and here):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9c6W4CCU9M4]

More here.

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Google updates Shopper app for iPhone to give users deals in their city

Jake Smith Jul 27 2011 - 10:11 am PT

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Google has released an update to their Shopper app conveniently giving users information on daily deals, including Google Offers. The update adds a “Offers” and “My Offers” tab at the bottom, along with the Shop tab you know and love. The Offers tab displays deals in map view that are available in your city. The deals you find can be saved in the My Offers tab for later use.

Businesses, on the other hand, can publish deals through Google Places. If Google Offers is available in your city you can redeem your purchased offers in the My Offers tab. Check out the update in the App Store.

Cross posted from 9to5Google.
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Google Analytics: Windows loses >5% market share this year, Mac gains. Post PC era fast approaching

Seth Weintraub Jul 2 2011 - 6:39 am PT

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Google Analytics, which is used on millions of sites worldwide to show web publishers who is visiting their sites, today published its first report on Web traffic. Among other interesting tidbits was the above chart showing Windows losing a staggering 5.1% of its market year over year.

At the same time, the Mac OS actually gained almost a percentage point of the market. But the groundswell was in the “Other” category which includes iPads, iPhones, Android and other non-Mac/Windows/Linux machines. That category was up almost 5 %.

The “Post PC Era” seems to be fast approaching.

Google conveniently also found a 1% gain in Search Engine referral traffic, below:

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Google Instant now going live on iOS

Seth Weintraub Mar 8 2011 - 9:16 am PT

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As we showed you back in January, Google Instant is now live for all users on iOS and Android.

Instant Previews provides a fast and interactive way to evaluate search results. Starting today, Google Instant Previews is available on mobile for Android (2.2+) and iOS (4.0+) devices across 38 languages. Similar to the desktop version of Instant Previews, you can visually compare search results from webpage snapshots, making it easier to choose the right result faster, especially when you have an idea of the content you’d like to see.

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