Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Google Search app for iPhone—a new name and a new look

If you need to do a Google search on your iPhone or iPod touch it's now faster and easier when you use our redesigned Google Search app, formerly Google Mobile App. If you've been using Google Mobile App for a while, you'll notice that things look different.

The redesigned home screen of Google Search app.


First, you’ll see that there are now more ways to interact with the app. When browsing through search results or looking at a webpage, you can swipe down to see the search bar or change your settings. For those who use other Google apps, there’s an Apps button at the bottom of the screen for rapid access to the mobile versions of our products.

We also included a new toolbar that will make it easier for you to filter your results. You can open this toolbar by swiping from left to right — either before you search or once you’ve got your results. If you only want images, just tap “Images,” and the results will update as shown:


The toolbar helps you to get to the right kind of results.

Second, we’ve made it easier to pick up searching where you left off. If you leave the app and come back later, you’ll be able either to start a new search right away (just tap in the search box to type, hit the microphone button to do a voice search or tap on the camera icon to use Google Goggles) or get back to exactly where you were by tapping on the lower part of the page.

Finally, there are a number of improvements we’ve made to everything else you love in the app, including Google Goggles, Voice Search, Search with My Location, Gmail unread counts and more. There's a lot in the app, so we've added a simple help feature to let you explore it. Access this by tapping the question mark above the Google logo.

The help screen can be accessed from anywhere in Google Search app.




Download and try Google Search app today; it’s available free from the iTunes App Store. You can also scan the QR code below.


Posted by Alastair Tse, Software Engineer and Robert Hamilton, Product Manager
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42 comments:

  1. legal stepMarch 15, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Where's the android love?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Where's the love for Android?

    BTW: I love the new UI and design!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AndroTuxMarch 15, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Wait a minute.. now.. the iPhone Google looks better than the Android Google.. And you're wondering why all people are going to buy an iPhone?

    -.-

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Ok, the fourth same comment but… seriously, no android version ?
    Reading this post I’ve search on the market… what a fool !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kévin PataultMarch 15, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Where is the Android version !!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JesusMarch 15, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    We need this for Android!

    ReplyDelete
  7. BruceMarch 15, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Most comments are talking about Android... Well even if there is small "true" part on this, the google integration in Android is just miles ahead so we don't miss this so much ;)
    Even if a redesigned search would be cool, the integrated search is way more useful than a third party app...

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Unbelievable, iPhone Google Search looks nices than Android Google Search.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    I'm glad people can chose between android, iOS, windows phone 7, etc...All of them have fantastic tools and everything. Having options
    is by far the best thing ;-)
    Just got the upgraded google app for iPhone and it looks amazing! Good job guys!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lee ShipleyMarch 15, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    It may look better but Bruce has it right: the Android integration of the Google suite, especially if you are navigating is spectacular and getting better with every update.

    ReplyDelete
  11. DylanMarch 15, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    combine all of your apps into one app!!!!! why does it feel like i am the only person this seems overwhelmingly obvious to????

    ReplyDelete
  12. DeenMarch 15, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Wow that loos like its gonna be good!

    www.anon-tools.es.tc

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Why do apps have to leave and open safari? Would be so much better if everything just stayed in the google app

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stuart VogelMarch 15, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    The new version no longer seems to let me activate voice search by moving the phone to my ear. I also noticed that I can no longer lock the orientation in portrait mode (which I recall was required to activate voice search in this way); I can't find an option for setting rotation lock.

    ReplyDelete
  15. PatrickMarch 15, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    How do I go back to the old version?? Why is there never an undo for these "updates"?

    ReplyDelete
  16. RobertMarch 15, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I love being an iPhone user. This update is so awesome to use. Great job Google and keep 'em coming. Google doesn't forget its iPhone fans. We're waiting for Google Maps Navigation, as Maps on iPhone is so outdated. I trust Google will resolve this soon with Apple.

    ReplyDelete
  17. kerryMarch 15, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Unbelievable, iPhone Google Search looks nices than Android Google Search.

    www.forumswindows8.com www.win8forum.net

    ReplyDelete
  18. ChandaraprakashMarch 16, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ChandaraprakashMarch 16, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    UI is really cool after the update.

    In the app settings, I cannot login to my google account. I have 2-factor authentication enabled in my google account and I'm not sure whether that is causing this issue. If anyone else facing the same issue, please let me know. Also I cannot use google latitude for the same issue.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 16, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    there's a minor bug: keyboard sounds (clicks) don't work inside the app.

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Way to go Google... You're choosing iphone over your OWN platform. I see where your loyalties lie.

    ReplyDelete
  22. portenkirchnerMarch 16, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    @ Chandaraprakash: You have to authorize the Google App in your Google Account and use the app specific password.

    ReplyDelete
  23. portenkirchnerMarch 16, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    I really like the new design and how the app works.
    But still no Google Groups in the App list!?

    ReplyDelete
  24. krifkindMarch 16, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Great update but where's the "Instant Preview" that you just enabled for mobile?

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    In the old Google App...you could set the start page to be the list of "Apps" (e.g., Gmail, Talk, Docs) instead of the search form. Can this be available here too?

    Great new look though.

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    sorry...is this really true??? first for Iphone users??
    That I call perfect marketing for the own OS(Android)

    ReplyDelete
  27. ChandaraprakashMarch 16, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    @Georg Thanks Georg, that resolved the issue. I'm now logged in with my google account after authorizing the apps in my phone.

    ReplyDelete
  28. RickMarch 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Love the new search, but wouldn't it make sense for the APPS links to open the iPhone app versions instead of the web? Photos should open my Google Web Albums app, YT should open the iPhone YT app, Maps should open the iPhone Maps app, and Translate should open the Google Translate app. The only ones that seem to do that properly are Earth and Voice. And where is Latitude?

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousMarch 16, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I'm using the two step authentication process on my gmail account. Okay now what happens is that the app messes a bit with credentials: ie password entered in UIWebView using a one time password (app specific) is lost if I sign out or clear safari cookies. Then I must login through Safari using now my regular password + verification code, after having been sent there by the app :) any clue? I guess the app doesn't have the ability to retain passwords. Any chance that this would change? thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousMarch 16, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    that a joke, after leaving my device idle for a while, I have to login again and now the one time password is required...

    ReplyDelete
  31. sourcingzoneMarch 17, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Cool application
    Mobile Prices SMS and Ringtones

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wholesale Electronic NewsMarch 17, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    n the old Google App...you could set the start page to be the list of "Apps" (e.g., Gmail, Talk, Docs) instead of the search form.http://www.bestlaptopbattery.co.uk/dell/inspiron-6400.htm

    ReplyDelete
  33. YM1March 18, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Google, do something about Latitude for Symbian and Windows Mobile already! It doens't work since March 11th! More information on this thread.

    Terrible service support (no where to report the bug) and management (service down for 7 days).

    This has been experienced by a lot of people, FIX IT!

    http://www.google.co.jp/
    support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=51875891737475b7&hl=en&fid=51875891737475b700049e96ca230d42

    ReplyDelete
  34. R. C. FountainMarch 18, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Nice functionality! I hope that the android will soon see this available for it as well.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousMarch 18, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    and why don't you delete spam posts here?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mohammad neyaz HasanMarch 18, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Looks great, hope it will give iphone a boost.

    ReplyDelete
  37. The RanterMarch 23, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Why do you need to launch Safari for gmail and calendar?? It seems that the app has an integrated browser and if I search for gmail from there I can use gmail in the integrated browser. This is way nicer than having the app switch to safari. It would be great to be able to swipe to the right and bring up that left hand menu and be able to switch between gmail and the calendar right there.

    ReplyDelete
  38. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    Hello, i love i phone these are so cool i like it very much thanks for that.
    ========
    Best Mobils

    ReplyDelete
  39. gogoMarch 27, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    Hey guys! the app is cool but I think I found a bug. If I open the app while driving in my car, so connected to Bluetooth, a call(to no where) is established. And it gets hanged until I don't close the app. Take a look please.

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Downloaded new update. Having same bluetooth problem as above. Very upsetting. Is there a way to fix or to go back to previous version of Google App?

    ReplyDelete
  41. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    I want to downgrade back to previous version of the app...the new one is buggy, hangs when you go to websites, closes down for no reason, and has minimized the size of my viewing area because of all the borders. HOW CAN WE UNWIND THIS???

    ReplyDelete
  42. diana17gMarch 28, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Yes i thought i was going crazy with the bluetooth in my car. Until i realized it was whenever i went to google!!! It also keeps crashing, the touch sensors seam to be a bit off and is super slow. I really liked the old version. This one seams awesome- once all the bugs are fixed....

    ReplyDelete

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