Google iOS Search App Now Has “OK Google” Voice Activation, New Notifications, Reminders & Cards

Google released a new version of its iOS Search App today, with an extensive list of updates, including new notifications, reminder alerts, cards and a handsfree search activation feature.

With the 3.1.0 version of the iOS Search App, those with the iPhone 4s or higher can say, “OK Google” or touch the mic to start a search.

Along with the handsfree activation, the app can create reminders around a number of events. According to the app’s iTunes page, users can ask Google to remember daily activities or upcoming events:

Ask Google to remember things for you. Just say, “Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks,” or “Remind me to check out the fair this weekend,” and Google will remind you at the right time or place.

Notifications now show up on a user’s home screen before the app is opened, displaying things like upcoming appointments, traffic alerts, or, “If a flight is running late, or how to catch the last train home.”

Beyond the notifications and reminders, users can search on their favorite musicians, television shows, movies, and actors and hit the “reminded me” button to be alerted for events like an album or show’s release, or if a celebrity shows up on the news.

Google has also added new cards for things like event tickets, flight boarding passes, car rental confirmations, and lists of upcoming local events. The Google Search App’s homepage has also been redesigned, along with, “Gestures to zoom or throw away images.”

The following YouTube video from Google offers an overview of the app’s new features:

[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Ey0AufD9g[/youtube]