Google Mobile App (Free)
Version 0.3.1448
REVIEW – “More Google Than I Can Handle”
Google Mobile App is new. It says it is the fastest, easiest way to search Google. Google has upped the ease of using their search engine on the iPhone or iPod Touch. I was impressed with using the standard Safari browser with the little Google box. I thought it did a fine job of anticipating what I was going to type. But Google Mobile App takes it even further.
When you start a Google search with this app it will offer endings to what you are typing at the bottom of the screen, and possible websites about your topic above that before sending you to the regular Google search once you have selected what you are looking for. Instead of guessing whatever word you are typing, like the Google feature for Safari on the iPhone and iPod touch, this app fills in the rest of the search as well. Type “fond” and Google Mobile App wonders if you mean “fondue recipes” or “fondant” or “fondue” or “du lac reporter”… You can move through the suggestions with a finger swipe and for “fond” the app gave me 10 possibilities. Which seems to be about standard. Sometimes I got 9, like when I search “green p”. I was going for “greenpeace”, which showed up as the second suggestion. What was first? “Poop”. Which makes me wonder what people have been searching for.
Aside from saving type tapping out long searches, Google Mobile App gives you access to Google Apps like Gmail, Book Reader and Docs. Each app either takes you to the regular Google site for that feature or a menu tailored for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Everything is easy to navigate, but for many of the apps you will need a Google account. Once you open an app it moves you into a new browser window. But don’t worry! Backing up will return you to Google Mobile App. Same thing happens after an internet search. Backing up may seem like it takes awhile, but you can always just reopen the app if you are deep into your search.
Sometimes after backing out of your search Google Mobile App seems to take awhile to pop back up. It’s never more than 5 seconds or so, but it seems to pause for quite awhile when the screen is just black. Since neither backing up or reopening the app are smooth transitions back into Google Mobile App the developers should work on this for the next incarnation.
If you have the iPhone you can simply speak your searches. This is probably the most powerful feature of Google Mobile App. The app currently only recognizes English, but I’m sure the people at Google are working on this.
Google Mobile App is very customizable and will save a list of your recent searches. If you are the type of person who likes their searches enhanced, this app will help you out.
- Melissa S.
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Developer – Google
URL: http://www.google.com/mobile
Developer’s Notes:
Google Mobile App is the fastest, easiest way to search Google.
Avoid typing full search queries — or don’t type at all — with features such as these:
* Search by voice – speak your queries in American, British, or Australian English accents
* Google Suggest – tap suggested web search queries that appear as you type
* Search history – quickly search again for queries you recently performed
* My Location – avoid typing your current location when searching for nearby businesses (e.g. “pizza” or “starbucks”)
Google Mobile App also links to Google’s other applications so that you can easily navigate to them.
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© 2009, amy. All rights reserved.