Google now

[Lilpopester]

I have the s3 for awhile now and I'm on us cellular... I see people talking about how amazing google now is, what exactly is it and how do I get it on my phone? Thanks guys

 

[DexTyler]

It's currently on Jelly Bean aka Android 4.1 only and I think it's only for Nexus phones.

 

[rikki1984]

It's not just nexus devices, it's any phone running jellybean.

 

[Podler99]

I wouldn't get too excited about it. Had it for 6 months (or less) and it isn't great. Sometimes useful but mostly its not, bear in mind this stuff is very much in its infancy.

Quick example of why it fails. My trains last night were all cancelled/ massively delayed. Google Now notifies me, 0 mins delay to get home...... me thinks not!!!!

 

[Lilpopester]

Thanks guys... I don't have jb on my phone, anybody know anything about when is cell will get it

 

[zuben el genub]

Can you get rid of it or do you have to root the phone?
There is nothing usable in it for me.

 

[DexTyler]

You can switch it off. That's about the best you can do as I think it's integrated into. Google Search

 

[Digital Controller]

I enjoy it just because it helps tell me the traffic updates for my commute home...

 

[zuben el genub]

Some of us don't commute where main roads are a problem. Some use odd hours. Some use back streets. We used all.

You rarely run into a traffic jam. Now if the thing could report on idiots on the road--

I tried using a GPS. I simply found it too distracting. I don't like taking eyes off road for any reason, and listening to it doesn't give you all the info. AI voices are awful in my opinion. I think it's no inflection in the speech. I can memorize printed driving directions.

 

[gone down sout]

If you're going straight to/from a given place, printed directions work fine. If you're driving to 6 customers across a wide geographic area, and they keep changing your appointment times, it helps to be able to dynamically recalculate your best route.

Plus, finding gas stations and specific POI's then navigating straight to them is crucial when you're on the road!

 

[Digital Controller]

The whole concept of Google Now is a work in progress, they are certainly going to be pushing out updates for it as soon as they deem them fit.

They were trying to experiment with it to see how users responded.