Google Now Stupid Question

[lexluthor]

I must just be missing something with my understanding of Google Now.

I have a Verizon SGS3 running the stock/leaked/rooted jellybean.

I sometimes see google now notifications in my notification bar and I have various cards appear when I manually go into the google search application.

But, in reading about it it seems as if cards are supposed to "pop up" when applicable.

Nothing ever pops up on me out of the blue like that.

What am I missing here?

 

[Unforgiven]

I only have notification in the task bar, nothing pop's up for me, though I admittedly don't have stuff on my Google calendar (which may act differently). This is on stock GNex / N7 so it's not an issue with your leaked ROM.

 

[lexluthor]

Interesting.

So looking here:
Google
It says "Cards appear throughout the day at the moment you need them.".

So as I need them means, if I enter the google now app or notice them when I pull down my notification bar? That's not really "appearing", is it?

I've had jb for a couple of weeks now and I did once get a package tracking notification, I see some sports scores, calendar appointments and restaurants, but nothing really revolutionary here like some people talk about it.

Is that all there is to it then?

 

[Unforgiven]

No, the cards are only half of the equation. Swipe up from the lock screen, say "Google" out loud and then say a search term like "Navigate to McDonalds." That's where I find the utility in Now. Being able to search for stuff without typing and having the results right more often than not. I mostly ignore the cards.

 

[lexluthor]

No, the cards are only half of the equation. Swipe up from the lock screen, say "Google" out loud and then say a search term like "Navigate to McDonalds."

Is that something specific to a particular phone? When I swipe up on my GS3 from the lock screen, it unlocks the phone.

I can set Nova launcher to open "text search" when I swipe up and I get a search bar (with the mic icon) and the cards then.

Still not seeing anything that exciting here.

 

[Unforgiven]

I use a GNEx and a Nexus 7, I'm not sure how it's implemented on a skinned rom. Try swypin up from the home key when unlocked, see if that works. That's the only other way I know how to get into Now.

 

[lexluthor]

I use a GNEx and a Nexus 7, I'm not sure how it's implemented on a skinned rom. Try swypin up from the home key when unlocked, see if that works. That's the only other way I know how to get into Now.

I can set a shortcut to google seach on the lockscreen that I can swipe up to get into it.

I guess my question has been answered then. Nothing is actually pushed at you, you have to activate the search app by some means to see these cards.

 

[Unforgiven]

I can set a shortcut to google seach on the lockscreen that I can swipe up to get into it.

I guess my question has been answered then. Nothing is actually pushed at you, you have to activate the search app by some means to see these cards.

I think so, like I said, I haven't tried calenday appointments though I may try moving them from Cozi to Google to see how it works.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Is that something specific to a particular phone? When I swipe up on my GS3 from the lock screen, it unlocks the phone.

I can set Nova launcher to open "text search" when I swipe up and I get a search bar (with the mic icon) and the cards then.

Still not seeing anything that exciting here.

You can change settings on individual cards to generate notifications, e.g. when it's time to leave for an appointment.
It becomes more useful over time as it picks up more information about you.
I find it immensely useful - it stopped me being late for work only yesterday by warning me about unusually heavy traffic.

 

[lexluthor]

I'll continue to keep an eye on it.

Today, I was standing in front of a Long Island Railroad station. I did have the public transportation card set to train stations and I un-checked the box that said while traveling.

I didn't see any card for this when I was in the google now app.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I'll continue to keep an eye on it.

Today, I was standing in front of a Long Island Railroad station. I did have the public transportation card set to train stations and I un-checked the box that said while traveling.

I didn't see any card for this when I was in the google now app.

Have you got location services switched on and (possibly) latitude on also?
Also set your home and work locations in maps.

 

[lexluthor]

Have you got location services switched on and (possibly) latitude on also?
Also set your home and work locations in maps.

Yes, all location services are on. I do not have latitude on, nor do I really want it on. Do I need it on?

I opened maps to get a true GPS location and it had me right where I was. Maps does show a train station icon where I was and if I tap it, I get the train schedule.

Where do I set home and work locations in maps?

 

[Unforgiven]

Have you got location services switched on and (possibly) latitude on also?
Also set your home and work locations in maps.

Yes, all location services are on. I do not have latitude on, nor do I really want it on. Do I need it on?

I opened maps to get a true GPS location and it had me right where I was. Maps does show a train station icon where I was and if I tap it, I get the train schedule.

Where do I set home and work locations in maps?

In addition to what CodeMonkey said, Now gets a lot better with google search history turned on.

 

[lexluthor]

I did have search history off before last week and then turned it on.

Damn, maps knows a lot about where I've been! Latitude was off, but location history on. When I look at location history, it does have home and work listed correctly.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I did have search history off before last week and then turned it on.

Damn, maps knows a lot about where I've been! Latitude was off, but location history on. When I look at location history, it does have home and work listed correctly.

That's good because I'm dammed id I can remember where I set them myself lol.
Not honestly sure about Latitude - I've always used it. However I suspect that my commute info from Now has come from my habit of "checking in" when getting to the office and arriving home. Recently it's even seemed to have learned which days I work from home and where our meeting rooms are at work.
I suspect that with Latitude on the regular polling of my location really helps Now learn my routines.