Google Glass Boosts Search
October 2, 2013
Google Glass continues to evolve. Now, Search Engine Journal reports, “Google Glass Gets Improved Search Capabilities with New Software Update.” The device, still in beta, receives monthly updates, and the latest includes welcome improvements to its search functionality. Writer Matt Southern specifies:
“When users perform a search on Glass, results now show news, videos, and even audio. The software update also brings Google Now predictive search cards to Glass and saves Glass-generated searches to Google Search History.”
Those Google Now cards can be really helpful or really annoying, or even kind of creepy, depending on the user. Whether or not you take advantage of that feature, other refinements should be welcome. For example, users can now specify that they are looking for videos (and the results will go beyond YouTube content, in case you were wondering.) You will also be able to have Glass identify a song you are listening to by title and artist, provided you are using Shazam for your listening pleasure.
News results will now be presented differently, perhaps more intuitively. Southern tells us:
“When a search query involves newsworthy topics, Google Glass will adjust how it displays results. It will first show recently published news articles, followed by information from Knowledge Graph, then it will prioritize articles from reputable sources.”
Finally, Google will be integrating searches performed through Glass with the rest of your personal Google-verse; we learn:
“With this software update, all Glass-based searches will now be stored in the user’s Google Search History. Similarly, deleting a search card on Glass will delete it from the entire search history.”
That pragmatic update was inevitable, but those wary of the trend toward automatic consolidation may be displeased. I personally do not object, though I have been startled a time or two when my phone knew what I had searched for from my laptop or desktop. (Yes, I have a desktop. Would it be better if I called it my gaming rig?)
Google is refining search for Glass, and that is a good thing. Without strong search, that device would be little more than a gimmick. Really, though, would we expect any less from the company that built its greatness upon search?
Cynthia Murrell, October 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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