Google Now Launcher available for other Android devices

Google is making its Nexus 5 launcher available for other Android-powered devices, with a few conditions. The Google Now Launcher was initially available with the Nexus 5 and then with other Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. Now, Android users with devices running on version 4.1 or higher will gain access to the launcher. You just have to make sure you are running the latest version of the Google Search app.

The launcher will change your homescreen to look identical to that of the Nexus 5 when it first launched. You will gain access to the “Ok, Google” voice command, new wallpapers, as well as the ability to see all your cards just by swiping to the right from your home screen.

Source: Ubergizmo

Google uses your hotel confirmation to help you navigate like a local with Search

Google Search has boosted the capabilities of its Search app further with this new feature. While traveling, you can look for places to eat near your hotel by asking Search to “show me restaurants around my hotel.” What you would need to do is have your hotel confirmation saved in your Gmail to gain access to this feature. You can even Search to look for directions from, for example, the airport to your hotel.

Source: Android Headlines

Google helps ease the pain of Brazilians over World Cup loss, filters search trend news

Google said they don’t want to rub salt to the wounds of Brazil after its horrifying loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-finals. Google told NPR that the company’s experimental social newsroom has avoided covering some of the bigger Brazil-related search trends during the match because they were too negative. Producer Sam Clohesy said the decision was made based on pure sympathy and the desire to go viral. 

Google Search for iOS gets more conversational

Google is ready to take the fight to Siri with the latest update of its Search app for iOS. The voice search feature for version 4.0 is now more conversational than before. You can ask Google things like “What’s the weather” and it will respond and then you can follow it up with “How about this weekend?” to get more information. The app also has an improved Google Now integration with articles showing up from your favorite news sites and more information about upcoming trips and the like.

Source: Engadget