How useful do you find Google Now?

jefboyardee · Dec 22, 2012

He asked:
How useful is "Google Now"?
not:
How useful is Google, now?

And what is it with software from big names that uses such commonplace words as sames, like Now and Wallet and Word and...

nickdalzell · Dec 22, 2012

Or products with the ubiquitous letters 'i' before the name like iHome, iPad, iGear, etc?

pegs520 · Dec 22, 2012

I don't find Google Now very useful...yet. I don't really need the directions/ETA to work, or home most of the time. I don't really need the sports scores on there. It's nice to know when the local sports teams are playing, but I don't need that, either.

I am expecting it to grow, though. The foundation has been laid, and so far it looks pretty damn good.

Side note - I love the google voice search. Pretty, easy to use, accurate, and fast.

KENNECTED · Dec 22, 2012

pool_shark said:
The only reason I use Google now is to check the score of the Browns.

What? You don't really think I'm going to watch them do you?

Hey. No real Browns fan would say that! Don't hate on my Browns.

KENNECTED · Dec 22, 2012

I think Google Now, is great. I had it on my Transformer Prime before having it on my HTC EVO 4G LTE, so I wasn't able to take advantage of all the features. After having it for a week now, some features seem repetitive to apps or shortcut.

For instance the directions and navigation shortcut or weather. Previously I had a shortcut to my house so that I know when the next subway would come an how long it would take me to get home. Now, no pun intended, Google Now, shows transit directions to my house automatically. I no longer have to activate the app, it auto updates.
My wallpaper is the HTC live weather wallpaper, but I do like that the weather pops up based on my locations. I dont have to hit an extra button to see it. Although I wish it would automatically open up the weather app.
The location based features are nice. I can see movie times at a theater nearby when out an about without having to pull up the app. Although for a purchase, I wish there was an option to open up your preferred movie loyalty program instead of just Fandango online.
I wish there was better integration with (reminders) alarms. When using the voice feature it seems like there are too many steps and not smooth. A couple of times I thought I created a reminder, but really made a "note to myself" which is just an email.
I like having pro scores, for teams I follow, but I wish there college teams were included.
Next appointment is cool, but is repetitive to my calendar and associated reminders. I'm assuming this is something useful for a person who doesn't use the calendar app. I recently made an opentable reservation and it read my email (which was deleted - so I'm thinking it reads the ALL MAIL folder) reminding me I had a restaurant reservation. To me this is repetitive.
Nearby events/restaurants is cool, as if you're out and about it gives you clues.
I'm still debating the pictures feature. I dont have it live here in my own city, but I might use it if traveling.

I think the list of commands is also difficult to remember. You must say specific words and the systems learns your voice and search history, so the more you use it the better suited for your life.

I need some more time to try out more features.

pool_shark · Dec 22, 2012

KENNECTED said:
Hey. No real Browns fan would say that! Don't hate on my Browns.

Oh come on, it's painful and you know it.

They have potential for sure, but unlike the 80's cardiac kids, you no longer get the feeling they can make a come back during any game.
I do anticipate them being better next year, and it's been a very long time since I've said that.

fdbryant3 · Dec 22, 2012

I don't really use the voice functions, but it has come in handy from time to time by informing me when there is trouble on my usual route to/from work and helping select the best route around it.

pegs520 · Dec 22, 2012

KENNECTED said:
[*]I like having pro scores, for teams I follow, but I wish there college teams were included..

Agree on this.

I wanna follow my Syracuse orange!

Duude · Dec 26, 2012

Does anyone use Google Now? How helpful is it really if I'm going to be allowing my information to be collected? For those who use it what are your impressions?

potterdood · Dec 26, 2012

I use it. It lets me know how the traffic is and also the news about my favorite nfl team, it's cool, and is simple.

reeftivo · Dec 26, 2012

+1

I've found s voice to be quirky and inaccurate at times.

Google now is accurate and fast.

bi0nicman · Dec 26, 2012

i use it for searching things like movie showtimes, weather, local shops and everything in between. its awesome

Harplayr · Dec 26, 2012

reeftivo said:
+1

I've found s voice to be quirky and inaccurate at times.

Google now is accurate and fast.

I also think Google Now voice search is better than S-Voice.

Is there a way to assign it to the double press of the home button instead of S-Voice being activated with the double press?

Tomo1971 · Dec 26, 2012

From what little I have seen or used Google now, it's pretty awesome. I today searched for a company nearby using safari and Google search on my mac. Not long after, directions to said company showed up on Google now.

Set an appointment etc in s-planner with an address and it does the same and tells you what time you need to leave to get there for the appointment time.

Any time I leave home it tells me how far I am away from home. I'm sure it does more and I'm just scratching the surface

scary alien · Dec 26, 2012

Hey guys, I've merged a thread ("Google Now") from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 section into this one over here in the Android Lounge.

Cheers and Happy Holidays

.

KENNECTED · Dec 27, 2012

Tomo1971 said:
From what little I have seen or used Google now, it's pretty awesome. I today searched for a company nearby using safari and Google search on my mac. Not long after, directions to said company showed up on Google now.

Set an appointment etc in s-planner with an address and it does the same and tells you what time you need to leave to get there for the appointment time.

Any time I leave home it tells me how far I am away from home. I'm sure it does more and I'm just scratching the surface

You saw the address, because you have the research topics setting in Google+ is ON. The one negative of this is, say you search for a football or MLB team, GNOW will auto add them to you sports section. I find this annoying.

As I said before I like the features, but I find them repetitive as I use the calendar and have reminders enabled for various calendar appointments. For someone that doesn't use their calendar, this may be helpful.

nickdalzell · Dec 27, 2012

i'm installing a JB ROM onto my Fire right now and going to see what all this buzz is about.

blarelli · Dec 27, 2012

omnius said:
For those of you who have it, how much do you use it and how useful do you find it?

It's great. I don't use it all that much as far as voice interactions go, but I always have a few packages it is tracking, and a few flights it is keeping track of, all without me telling it to. I also like looking up a place on my computer, then hopping in the car and opening up Now and seeing a card ready to be tapped to start navigation to that place.

nickdalzell · Dec 27, 2012

just realized the Fire has no mic...

kristalsoldier · Dec 29, 2012

How does this usage impact your battery? I turned it off on my tab because it while I was not finding too much use for it, it was leaning hard on the battery.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

KENNECTED · Dec 29, 2012

kristalsoldier said:
How does this usage impact your battery? I turned it off on my tab because it while I was not finding too much use for it, it was leaning hard on the battery.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

Its running in the background - as Google Now is really the Google search app - so it's not taking up battery life.

Please no, the more you use it and search, the more it will learn about you.

kristalsoldier · Dec 29, 2012

KENNECTED said:
Its running in the background - as Google Now is really the Google search app - so it's not taking up battery life.

Please no, the more you use it and search, the more it will learn about you.

I am not sure I understand what you mean when you say 'please, no....' But is it not the case that Google Now also uses location finding services which use up the battery?

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

scary alien · Dec 29, 2012

kristalsoldier said:
I am not sure I understand what you mean when you say 'please, no....' But is it not the case that Google Now also uses location finding services which use up the battery?

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

Perhaps it was an unfinished "Please note"?

Just a guess...

.

KOLIO · Dec 29, 2012

pool_shark said:
The only reason I use Google now is to check the score of the Browns.

What? You don't really think I'm going to watch them do you?

We've seen you in the stands.You're the one w/the paper bag over your head!

Oh,wait...........

pool_shark · Dec 29, 2012

KOLIO said:
We've seen you in the stands.You're the one w/the paper bag over your head!

Oh,wait...........

That's a paper bag and the other team's sweatshirt thank you very much.

I like antagonizing people.
My Steelers sweatshirt drew lots of attention at dinner tonight, and when I wear the Raven's one...wow.
I wear Michigan on Saturday's.
It makes me laugh, I can't help it.

How useful do you find Google Now?

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