New Google Mobile Features: Shortcut Local Icons, Query Builder
At today’s Google Inside Search event in San Francisco, a number of new features were unveiled for both mobile and desktop search, which we’ll cover in detail across Search Engine Land. For mobile search, these changes are launching immediately for Android (version 2.2+) and iOS (version 4.0+) in 40 languages worldwide, including: Local icons on mobile […]
At today’s Google Inside Search event in San Francisco, a number of new features were unveiled for both mobile and desktop search, which we’ll cover in detail across Search Engine Land.
For mobile search, these changes are launching immediately for Android (version 2.2+) and iOS (version 4.0+) in 40 languages worldwide, including:
- Local icons on mobile interface – Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops & More
- Query building
- Interactive results for financial searches
- Goggles now translates into Russian
Local Shortcut Icons On Mobile Homepage
The local icons at the bottom of the mobile search homepage are one of the biggest changes, offering users a way to quickly do location-based searches for some of the most common topics when they’re out and about with their smartphones.
The biggest change on the following mobile search results page is the static map in relation to the list of results which you can scroll through to view details as you view each result in comparison to your current location on the map. (The map doesn’t move, only the pinpoints.)
For mobile travel searches, or people unfamiliar with a new area, this is definitely a handy feature to have as you explore what’s nearby, particularly if you have a long list of options.
Faster Mobile Searches, Build Better Queries Quicker
The “plus” sign feature was already available in Google Search apps for Android and iOS devices, but now this change is rolling out to standard mobile browsers. You can now build complicated searches more quickly using autocomplete and by tapping suggested words into the search box.
Interactive Financial Queries on Mobile
- Go to google.com on your iPhone or Android-powered device (2.1 or later) and search for your favorite stock symbol. You’ll see an interactive graph shown on a card; you can switch views to different date ranges by tapping on the buttons below the graph.
Further details are available on the Google Mobile blog.
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