Google Mobile app for iOS gets major revamp, new name

Google has released a major update to the Google Mobile app for iOS, with new features and a new name -- Google Search for iPhone (free).

The app has a completely redesigned user interface, and according to the developers, they've improved fast app-switching support. Multi-touch gestures have been added -- to make a search more specific, you swipe right on the results that appear, and a vertical toolbar appears allowing you to focus on places, images, news, shopping (both in stores and online), videos, Twitter and Facebook updates, blogs or discussions. A downward swipe lets you access settings and log into your Google account.

Even the help system is different in Google Search for iOS. When you tap on the question mark icon to display help, a transparent window with glowing blue spots overlaying areas of the user interface appears. Touching any of the blue spots displays an explanation of what function the appropriate icon or area performs.

The previous app did not support the Google Goggles feature on the iPod touch and iPhone 3G. That has now been remedied, and it's possible to search for items by picture on all of the platforms (note: we have not checked that on the iPad 2).

Be sure to take a look at some screenshots from Google Search for iOS in the gallery below.

[via MacStories]

Google Search for iPhone

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Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-search/id284815942?mt=…

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Software App Store iOS

Google has released a major update to the Google Mobile app for iOS, with new features and a new name -- Google Search for iPhone...

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is it only me but the screenshot gallery does not seem to work any longer?

March 16 2011 at 5:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Me's comment

collide000

It seems to only work in Safari.

March 16 2011 at 6:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

Nice! Thanks Google! I've been wondering why the iPod 4G couldn't use goggles. Works great.

March 15 2011 at 7:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gabe

Yep, Goggles works on iPad 2.

March 15 2011 at 6:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

NutMac

Not bad but when I attempt to login to Google, I get "Sign-In Failed: The email address or password you entered is incorrect" error.

March 15 2011 at 6:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rob E.

That's encouraging. I was afraid they'd abandoned iOS in all the Android vs. iOS stuff. Now if they would move on to update Google Maps, I'd be a happy camper. I tend not to use Google Mobile (although I'll be sure to try out the new update), but Google Maps is my best friend, or it is on the desktop at at least. The website kicks you out to the less-functional iOS app, and mobile version of the website keeps crashing Safari on me.

March 15 2011 at 6:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Rob E.'s comment

milkmage

you silly.. GOOG is an equal opportunity information harvester.

March 15 2011 at 6:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dan Pritchard

Interestingly, I learned a while back that the Google Maps app is not made by Google, but by Apple. Apple just licenses from Google the right to use the map tiles and related web services (like looking up locations) ... but that's apparently what's going on here. With the rocky relationship between AAPL and GOOG, it's anyone's guess on whether Apple will work with Google to bring any new features to the app.

Personally I'd like to see an option to change the default mapping app to a third-party app from the App store. There are a few decent ones, but it's hard when things like the address book and the smart links in Mail all force you into the stock Google Maps app.

March 15 2011 at 7:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply