Google Translate for iOS update includes handwriting support and redesigned UI

Google finally brings to the iOS version of Translate a feature that has been on the Android app for about two years and the web app earlier this year: handwriting recognition. You can now scrawl down kanji or Hangul on your iPhone and obtain some usable results in English. The challenge with this, however, is your input speed. It assumes you write like you know what you’re doing. Handwriting on Google Translate currently supports 49 languages and runs on iOS 5.1 or later. 

The user interface and the icon has also been redesigned to look like it fits the iOS 7 look but you could also say it has been updated to catch up with other Google products like Google Maps and Gmail. The app also added support for seven new languages including Bosnian, Cebuano, Hmong, Javanese, Lao, and Marathi.

Google introduces new logo and updated navigation bar

Google has been doing some redesigning of its own with a new, flatter-looking logo and an updated navigation bar that has an app launcher featuring all the Google apps. The new launcher is part of Google’s aim to create a seamless, distraction-free experience for you. The launcher is also going to be available on Android devices and Chromebooks.

In a move seen as an effort to keep up with the competition, Google Tech Lead Eddie Kessler also said they are set to update most of their products in the coming weeks.

Google Maps for Android update includes sponsored hotel results, improved navigation

A quick update of Google Maps for Android features improved navigation with better traffic and route information and improves monetization capabilities of the app by tweaking hotel search results by including sponsored rate and booking links. A new side menu has also been called “Tips and Tricks” that opens up to the Maps help page on your gadget’s browser.

Update for Google Drive for Android adds new color theme and buttons

Google has updated the Drive app for Android with a few minor changes, including a lighter color scheme that will supposedly make viewing content easier on your peepers and new icons at the bottom of the user interface to make it easier to upload, create, and scan documents. According to Google, there are also the usual stability and speed improvements added in the update. Google Drive can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store.