The Google innovation that marked a before and after in smartphones came under the name of Google Now, a service that learns from your activity, location y searches to show useful information without you having to ask for it. It was originally integrated into the Search app and, over time, gained its own space in the form of widget to always have it visible on the main screen.
Google Now It bases its operation on cards Proactive. With data from your apps, habits, and movements, it shows you what interests you at the right time. Imagine you're finishing your workday: it recognizes the time and calculates the time. the time on the way home with real-time traffic, suggesting alternative routes. The more you use it, better fits to you.
In its beginnings it was accessible from the Google search engine on Android Jelly Bean, but the experience made the leap to google now widget already on the home screen, to check your cards at a glance and open them with a tap. In addition, it is normal for it to arrive via Google app updates from the Play Store, without relying on a full system update.
We have read it in Tablet Zona.
What Google Now can show in cards
The cards They cover numerous real cases: tiempo local and upcoming destinations, traffic towards home or work, flights with status and gateway from Gmail, packages in distribution, work? of hotel and restaurant, events close, films with passes (with Fandango-type cards that show QR codes to enter the cinema), scores from Rotten Tomatoes, real estate listings from Zillow, college sports, bag and personalized news.
It also came to include voice shortcuts for create events (“dinner on Thursday at 19:00 p.m.”), recognize songs y scan codes, as well as reminders of and monthly summaries of activity (walks or bike). If you perform a specific search (for example, a flight or your favorite team), cards will appear with auto tracking.
The Google Now widget: shortcut and at-a-glance view
El widget Place a selection of items on your home or lock screen your main cards. Tapping a card opens the detailed view in the Google app. You can resize it to display more or less information, and thus prioritize flights, weather, traffic, sports, or any relevant card in your day-to-day life.
In addition to the classic widget, the module at a glance and the Search widget They proactively display weather, upcoming events and alerts, serving as the natural heir to the “at a glance” experience.
Compatibility, evolution and contextual search
Google Now was a key component of the google app on Android and even reached iOS with limited functions. It was also integrated into Chrome and ChromeOS through a notification center that Google later removed. Over time, the “Now” branding disappeared and the Now cards gave way to Feed/Discover, while his spirit evolved to Google Assistant, able to maintain two-way dialogues.
One of the most valued functions was Now on Tap: By holding the home button or by voice, it analyzes the on-screen text (people, places, movies, etc.) and generates contextual cards with actions and responses without leaving the app. In addition, Google opened the door to third-party apps installed to generate cards (such as travel, news, music or transportation services), expanding the usefulness of the system.
Add and customize the Search and At a glance widget
From the Google app you can add the widget and customize it. Tap your profile picture > Settings > Customize Search Widget and press Add. You can also long-press on an empty space on the desktop > Widgets, search for Google and drag it.
En Customize now, adjust shortcuts, color y transparency. Among the available shortcuts are Translate (text), Translate (camera), Song Search, Time, Sports, Dictionary, Tasks/Homework y Finance. If something doesn't convince you, press Resetting to return to the previous appearance.
If you prefer, you can remove the widget from the desktop by long pressing and dragging it to Delete; you can add it again whenever you want.
Data usage and control tips
Interact with the cards to refine recommendations (by marking interests or hiding irrelevant items). In the Google app Settings, manage location, activity on the Web and applications y notifications. Remember that the more Google services you use (Maps, Calendar, Gmail), the more context will have to help you, always under your control.
Although Google Now gave way to Assistant and Discover, its proposal for useful information, at the right time, remains key. With the widget and At a Glance, you have everything important always at hand and effortlessly, from weather and traffic to your flights and events, with immediate access from the home screen.