Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Discover Windows Phone 7 apps with Bing Visual Search]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/18/discover-windows-phone-7-apps-with-bing-visual-search/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/18/discover-windows-phone-7-apps-with-bing-visual-search/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/18/discover-windows-phone-7-apps-with-bing-visual-search/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bing WP7 visual search
You can now browse the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace with Bing's Visual Search tool. According to the announcement, it only works in the US and UK -- but to make it work, after visiting the WP7 Visual Search, I had to change my location (in the top right corner) to "United States - English." Then I had to visit the Visual Search page again. Presumably this will also work if you live elsewhere, too.

The Visual Search itself is beautiful. The app icons slip and slide around the screen, and panels fade in and out with consummate smoothness -- it's powered by Silverlight, of course. Unsurprisingly, it looks and feels a lot like Zune -- and indeed, you can click through from any app to the Zune. From there you can install apps onto your phone.

The thing is, this tool in itself is nothing special -- but look at the competition! Apple's Web presence is alright, but it's hardly a joy to navigate -- it simply functions as a "preview" for those without iTunes. Google... well, take a look at the Web-based Android Market and decide for yourself. Microsoft's WP7 visual search seems positively awesome by comparison.

Download SquadDiscover Windows Phone 7 apps with Bing Visual Search originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app discoveryAppDiscoverybingmicrosoftvisual searchVisualSearchzuneThu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yahoo! rolling out Google Instant-like previews]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/17/yahoo-rolling-out-google-instant-like-previews/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/17/yahoo-rolling-out-google-instant-like-previews/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/17/yahoo-rolling-out-google-instant-like-previews/#commentsFiled under: ,

While it's not going to win points for a catchy name, Yahoo's new Rich Search Assist will provide some slick new functionality to its users. It's a bit like Google Suggest meets Google Instant Previews. Unlike Instant, however, Yahoo's previews appear in a floating element and only cover the top half of the page. Hover over a suggestion in the left column, and the preview appears on the right.

Yahoo's contextual customizations still appear in the previews as well -- like the Canon Eos pricing and specs in the screenshot or pro sports team snapshots. Rich Search assist is currently only available to a small number of testers, but it should be rolling out to all Yahoo! users in the very near future.

Search Engine Land has shared a YouTube clip of Rich Search Assist in action -- check it out after the break!


Continue reading Yahoo! rolling out Google Instant-like previews

Download SquadYahoo! rolling out Google Instant-like previews originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enginegoogleinstantpreviewssearchyahooWed, 17 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get emergency information faster with Google, now in 13 more countries]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/12/get-emergency-information-faster-with-google-now-in-13-more-countries/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/12/get-emergency-information-faster-with-google-now-in-13-more-countries/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/12/get-emergency-information-faster-with-google-now-in-13-more-countries/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google Emergency Information
When a crisis happens, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around for the correct phone number, or what to do before the emergency services arrive. Google's on the case, as they've launched an initiative to help you find emergency details in 13 more countries around the world.

By implementing a combination of special search results for keywords such as 'poison control' and 'suicide', with a list of common emergency numbers, they've created the one-stop shop that can help if you're in a panic. Just hit Google, plug in your crisis keywords and big G will do its best to get you what you need to help yourself or the injured person.

For the time being, 14 countries (Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US) are covered, with searches returning national hotlines, 24-hour emergency phone numbers and links to vital information. So next time you've got an emergency problem and you don't know who to contact, remember Google and hopefully you'll get the information you need.

Download SquadGet emergency information faster with Google, now in 13 more countries originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>112911999crisisemergencyGooglesearchFri, 12 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bing for Android isn't limited to Verizon anymore]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/bing-for-android-isnt-limited-to-verizon-anymore/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/bing-for-android-isnt-limited-to-verizon-anymore/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/bing-for-android-isnt-limited-to-verizon-anymore/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bing for Android screenshotBing's Android application is now available to all Android device owners in the United States, and not limited to Verizon customers anymore. The app itself hasn't changed in any way, it's just that you can now find it in the Android Market in the US regardless of what your carrier of choice is. Previously, it came pre-installed on some Verizon Android smartphones, and was only available to download if you were a Verizon customer.

Features of the app, as before, include plain Web search, image search, news, local business listings and reviews, instant answers for movies and flight search. Voice search is also supported. The app homepage nicely mimics Bing.com by showing the Bing image of the day, which has clickable points that will unearth trivia related to that specific image.

Bing for Android is now available in the Android Market in the US for free.

Download SquadBing for Android isn't limited to Verizon anymore originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid appandroid appsAndroidAppAndroidApplicationAndroidAppsBingBing for AndroidBing MobileBingForAndroidBingMobileMobile SearchMobileSearchsearchThu, 11 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tap2It brings Googlesque Instant Search to Symbian]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/tap2it-brings-google-instant-search-to-symbian/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/tap2it-brings-google-instant-search-to-symbian/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/11/tap2it-brings-google-instant-search-to-symbian/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tap2It instant search for SymbianGoogle has begun making Instant Search available to iOS and Android devices but other mobile platforms have yet to receive any support for the new search-as-you-type feature. One of the platforms that Google has ignored is the biggest mobile OS of them all: Symbian. But there is a solution.

Tap2It is a free search app that uses Google search APIs and works on new Symbian devices such as the Nokia N8, E7, C7 and C6-01. And, you guessed it, searches instantly pop up as soon as you start typing, and they're refined with each key you press -- just like with Google Instant. Tap2It pulls in Web and local results, images, and videos. To use the local search functionality, you set your location manually (by entering a city or Zip code) when you first run the app. Of course you can change this data whenever you want to. If a business listing shows up in the search results, and has a phone number attached to it, you can dial that number just by tapping it.

Because Symbian doesn't yet have a system-wide portrait QWERTY keyboard, Tap2It brings its own implementation of a portrait QWERTY, that works well enough, especially considering that the instant results system makes sure there isn't much typing to do. Note though that for some reason, the app only works in portrait mode for now.

Tap2It is a free download from the Ovi Store. A demo video of the app's features is waiting for you after the break.

[via Ovi Daily App]

Continue reading Tap2It brings Googlesque Instant Search to Symbian

Download SquadTap2It brings Googlesque Instant Search to Symbian originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobilemobile appmobile applicationmobile appsMobileAppMobileApplicationMobileAppssearchSymbiansymbian appSymbian ApplicationSymbian SoftwareSymbianAppSymbianApplicationSymbianSoftwareTap2ItThu, 11 Nov 2010 17:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Instant Previews now available on Google search results]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/09/instant-previews-now-available-on-google-search-results/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/09/instant-previews-now-available-on-google-search-results/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/09/instant-previews-now-available-on-google-search-results/#commentsFiled under: ,

google search preview
Last month, Google began beta testing instant search previews -- a la Bing or Ask. The feature, now dubbed Instant Previews, shows you a preview of what the search result looks like. Today, Google has announced that previews have been officially turned on and are now rolling out across the globe.

Initial impressions of the feature were mixed here at Download Squad, with many users preferring Bing's approach. Bing, of course, offers more text from pages -- which is often a bit more useful than a downscaled image of the entire page's content.

If -- like me -- you're not seeing the preview option in your Google results just yet, there's a demo video after the break so you can see what's coming.

Continue reading Instant Previews now available on Google search results

Download SquadInstant Previews now available on Google search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askbinggoogleinstant previewsInstantPreviewspreviewpreviewssearchsnippetTue, 09 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Instant now available to mobile browsers]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/04/google-instant-now-available-to-mobile-browsers/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/04/google-instant-now-available-to-mobile-browsers/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/04/google-instant-now-available-to-mobile-browsers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Google Instant is slowly starting to become available for iPhone and iPod touch users. The feature will at first only be available on Google.com. It's currently opt-out, so you'll have to toggle it by clicking the appropriate option that should show up below the search box (see screenshot).

While Instant on mobile should prove useful by not requiring extensive typing to get to the search results you want, on the other hand a great chunk of the instantly delivered search results page will be covered by the keyboard. So the jury's still out on whether this is life-changing, but it is a neat trick, and being opt-in ensures that should you not like it, you have the option of simply not using it.

[via TheNextWeb]

Download SquadGoogle Instant now available to mobile browsers originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlegoogle instantgoogle instant searchGoogle Mobilegoogle mobile searchgoogle searchGoogleInstantGoogleInstantSearchGoogleMobileGoogleMobileSearchGoogleSearchiphoneThu, 04 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bing's new Facebook-powered social search features go live]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/03/bings-new-facebook-powered-social-search-features-go-live/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/03/bings-new-facebook-powered-social-search-features-go-live/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/03/bings-new-facebook-powered-social-search-features-go-live/#commentsFiled under: ,

Facebook Bing Integration
The continued integration between Bing and Facebook, which we originally covered a couple of weeks ago, has now gone live -- at least for US users. Now, if you are logged into Facebook, your Bing search results will be 'socially tailored' -- i.e. if a friend has liked a website, it will be at the top of your search results. Profiles will also appear if you search for names.

LiveSide is reporting that you can use an 'American' URL -- http://www.bing.com/?mkt=en-us -- to try it out, but it didn't seem to work for me. Try as I might, I couldn't get my friends' faces to pop up next to popular search results -- so either it's not enabled for everyone, or I just don't have enough friends.

Incidentally, you can block Bing from interacting with your Facebook -- though why I have to opt out, rather than opt in... I will never know.

Download SquadBing's new Facebook-powered social search features go live originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingfacebookWed, 03 Nov 2010 06:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Blekko, the "Slashtag" search engine is slow, cumbersome, and just plain broken]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/01/blekko-the-slashtag-search-engine-is-slow-cumbersome-and-ju/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/01/blekko-the-slashtag-search-engine-is-slow-cumbersome-and-ju/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/01/blekko-the-slashtag-search-engine-is-slow-cumbersome-and-ju/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blekko, despite how it sounds, is a search engine -- not a euphemism for vomit.

It's a search engine that, in its quest to go up against bigger opponents like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, has tried to set itself apart by lumping operators into "slashtags," calling itself "social," and touting how "open" and "transparent" its search results are. It also tries to put an overwhelmingly positive spin on human bias playing a huge role in search rankings. Blekko hopes to attract not just disillusioned power-users, but everyday users as well -- and from what I've seen, that doesn't seem very likely.

For starters, if you share the aversion to the three-letter acronym SEO that many users of social media tend to have these days, this search engine is not for you. If you like to get your search results very quickly, then this search engine probably isn't for you. If you like your search engine to be intuitive, and furthermore, to get decent results with a minimum amount of finagling, then I have to say that Blekko is not the search engine for you.

I spent a couple of solid hours using Blekko in a vain attempt to find a reason for all the hype. After all, The New York Times went as far as to call Blekko "A New Search Engine, Where Less Is More," and our own AOL compatriot Michael Arrington gave it plenty of positive attention at TechCrunch. I was actually hoping that there might be some worth to the plucky little upstart -- but instead I found a bloated, buggy search engine with largely worthless, extremely inaccurate results, regardless of what slashtag I used to "vertically narrow" my search.

Continue reading Blekko, the "Slashtag" search engine is slow, cumbersome, and just plain broken

Download SquadBlekko, the "Slashtag" search engine is slow, cumbersome, and just plain broken originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingblekkogooglesearchseotwitteryahooMon, 01 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Place Search introduces quick and easy, clustered local search]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/28/google-places-search-introduces-quick-and-easy-clustered-local/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/28/google-places-search-introduces-quick-and-easy-clustered-local/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/28/google-places-search-introduces-quick-and-easy-clustered-local/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google Places Search Results

Today, Google has introduced even more fusion between its maps and search products by bringing in Place Search. It's a new kind of local search that brings up information about businesses, restaurants, and services that are centralized around a set location. OK, you've been able to do this for a while with Google Maps search, but Place Search automatically gives you this new results display when it thinks you're looking for something that's located around a particular area. If Google fails to predict your desire for a local search, you can also invoke the new feature by using the Places link in the left-hand column of the search results page.

With 50 million real-world locations already implemented, Place Search is an attempt to speed up the discovery, comparison, and selection of amenities around a given locale. This kind of clustered search relies on Google's ability to dynamically link hundreds of millions of websites with pre-programmed locations; that's no mean feat in and of itself. But the clever bit is that Google can apparently discern information on amenities that differ on spelling but actually represent the same place. The example that Jackie Barvaro from Google gave was "Stubb's BBQ," which could be represented by "Stubbs Bar-b-que," for instance. To a machine, the two entries are very different, but of course, to a human they mean the same thing.

Place Search apparently saves the average person two seconds per search for local information, and it's currently rolling out globally. It'll be localized into 40 different languages, but if you just can't wait for it to go live where you are, click here to get a taster.

Download SquadGoogle Place Search introduces quick and easy, clustered local search originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 05:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessgooglegoogle searchGoogleSearchPlace Searchplacesplaces searchPlaceSearchPlacesSearchsearchThu, 28 Oct 2010 05:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Google now displays your location in the sidebar, lets you easily change it]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/18/google-now-displays-your-location-in-the-sidebar-lets-you-easil/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/18/google-now-displays-your-location-in-the-sidebar-lets-you-easil/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/18/google-now-displays-your-location-in-the-sidebar-lets-you-easil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Google location in sidebar

Google has added a new item to the sidebar, which shows to the left of your search results: your location information. You will now be able to see where Google thinks you are -- and easily change your location if Google somehow got it wrong.

Google has been using your location to customize local search results for quite a while now, but you haven't previously been able to find out where Google thought you were or do anything about it if it was wrong. That all changes today, and manually overriding Google's automatically-found location takes just two clicks.

The new feature is in the process of being rolled out and will become available in more than 40 languages soon.

Download SquadGoogle now displays your location in the sidebar, lets you easily change it originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlegoogle searchGoogleSearchInternetLocationlocation-basedWebMon, 18 Oct 2010 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook partners with Bing to add social juice to your search results]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/facebook-partners-with-bing-to-add-social-juice-to-your-search-r/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/facebook-partners-with-bing-to-add-social-juice-to-your-search-r/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/facebook-partners-with-bing-to-add-social-juice-to-your-search-r/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Facebook and Bing have announced a partnership that will bring your social network to your Bing search results. When you search on Bing, while logged into Facebook, you'll see your friends' faces next to any results for pages they've "liked," making it easier to spot results you might be interested in.

Facebook will also factor into Bing's improved people search, popping up people you're more likely to know, so you have a better chance of finding the right "John Smith." This feature will roll out gradually to Bing users in the coming weeks, so don't be too surprised if you don't have it.

Bing is the latest in Facebook's select group of "Instant Personalization" partners, along with another Microsoft project, Docs.com. Instant Personalization gives these sites special access to your Facebook data and friends, so they can provide features like the ones Bing just announced. If you don't want to share it, you can opt out of Instant Personalization entirely from the Facebook Privacy Settings screen.

Download SquadFacebook partners with Bing to add social juice to your search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingfacebookmicrosoftsearchsearch resultsSearchResultsWed, 13 Oct 2010 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon updates iOS app with barcode scanning]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/amazon-updates-ios-app-with-barcode-scanning/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/amazon-updates-ios-app-with-barcode-scanning/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/13/amazon-updates-ios-app-with-barcode-scanning/#commentsFiled under: ,

Amazon's iOS app got an update today, which brings barcode scanning to the already impressive Amazon Remembers photo matching service for iPhone 4 and 3GS. Now, no matter which shop you're in, you can quickly and easily find out how much it costs on Amazon, and even buy it, with a quick barcode scan. If you ever shop on Amazon or want to do a bit of price comparison (and who doesn't these days), the free Amazon Mobile app is a must. Simple, effective, and useful - if only every app update was this good.

Amazon Mobile [iTunes] - Free

Download SquadAmazon updates iOS app with barcode scanning originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazonbarcodebarcode scannerBarcodeScannerBarcodeScanningiOSiPhonemobileWed, 13 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Need a flu shot this winter? Google has you covered]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/11/need-a-flu-shot-google-to-the-rescue/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/11/need-a-flu-shot-google-to-the-rescue/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/11/need-a-flu-shot-google-to-the-rescue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

That's it, summer's over -- roll on winter and time for flu season. Yes, it's that time of year again, but big G is trying to make dealing with sickness easier using its continued collaboration with the US Department of Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association and flu.gov. This year, like last, if you need a flu shot, Google's at hand with its Flu Vaccine Finder. Just visit www.google.com/flushot and plug in your locale for a map of all the nearby pharmacies where you can get flu shots or nasal spray flu vaccines.

If that wasn't enough, every time you search for something flu related, flu.gov tips will pop-up along with the flu shot finder. It's useful information, but let's just hope that not many of you, our dear readers, need it. Have a safe, uneventful, and most importantly, healthy flu season everyone.

Download SquadNeed a flu shot this winter? Google has you covered originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fluflu seasonFlu shotflu vaccineFluSeasonFluShotFluVaccinegooglegoogle mapsGoogleMapswinterMon, 11 Oct 2010 06:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefox reshuffles default search engines, but Google and Yahoo! still top the list]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/firefox-reshuffles-default-search-engines-but-google-and-yahoo/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/firefox-reshuffles-default-search-engines-but-google-and-yahoo/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/firefox-reshuffles-default-search-engines-but-google-and-yahoo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Changes to the search bar are coming in Firefox 4 and, despite rumors, Bing isn't getting a prominent place on the list. Microsoft's search engine will be included in the list (for English language users), but it will still sit behind Google and Yahoo! in Firefox's search engine menu, and Google will remain the default search. Teams working on Firefox localizations for other languages will have the option of including Bing, but it won't be there by default.

Why no Bing love? According to Mozilla's blog, Yahoo! has a loyal following and provides a different enough experience to be worth keeping, even though it now uses Bing's search algorithm. So, sorry Bing! Better luck in the next version of Firefox.

Meanwhile, some other search engines have been removed from the list entirely. Answers.com is out, because users prefer Wikipedia for reference searches, and Creative Commons is out because its focus has shifted away from CC-licensed media, and it now has too much overlap with Google and Yahoo! results. Of course, if you don't like the provided search engines, you can always edit the list yourself, and even add new search engines with plug-ins.

Download SquadFirefox reshuffles default search engines, but Google and Yahoo! still top the list originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingfirefoxfirefox 4Firefox4googlemozillasearchsearch enginesSearchEnginesWed, 06 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Goggles comes to iOS]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-goggles-comes-to-ios/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-goggles-comes-to-ios/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-goggles-comes-to-ios/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google Goggles on iPhone
Google Goggles has finally made its debut on Apple's iOS. Having been snapping pictures and searching the Web for a while on Android handsets, Goggles has now been rolled into the already feature rich Google mobile application for iOS. This means that big G now gives you three ways to find what you're looking for on an iPhone -- voice, photos, and plain old text search. Given the accuracy and usability that Google's voice search has on an iPhone, I was excited to see whether Goggles followed in the same vein.

Function

So, what's it like to use? Is it actually useful? Well, for those who have never come across Goggles, it works in a very similar way to the Remembers function of Amazon's iOS app. Snap a picture of a product, barcode, or logo, and it'll bring up associated items. Goggles goes further, however, allowing you to snap pictures in order to search for landmarks, contact info, businesses, artwork, and simple text. Within each snap, Goggles frames the things that it recognizes and links them to keywords through color-coding. You can then select the correct keyword and start a Google search. It's simple.

Continue reading Google Goggles comes to iOS

Download SquadGoogle Goggles comes to iOS originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gogglesgooglegoogle gogglesGoogleGogglesiOSphoto searchPhotoSearchreviewsearchWed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google tests further Bingification, adds site previews to search results]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-tests-further-bingification-adds-site-previews-to-search/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-tests-further-bingification-adds-site-previews-to-search/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/06/google-tests-further-bingification-adds-site-previews-to-search/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bing has rather quietly been developing into a competitive Google alternative. It's got some very nice features -- even Google thinks so. At least, we can assume they do, since they're testing another Bingesque feature right now.

As The Next Web reports, Google is playing with the idea of displaying website previews when a user hovers over a search result. Bing, of course, limits its previews to text snippets -- Google is opting for a screenshot-style image instead. Consider yourself flattered (again), Bing!

Site previews are only available to a limited number of users at the moment, so well keep you updated if and when Google decides to roll out the feature to everyone.

Download SquadGoogle tests further Bingification, adds site previews to search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>binggooglepreviewsearchWed, 06 Oct 2010 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Swearch.me is a slick four-way search page for your iPhone]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/04/swearch-me-is-a-slick-four-way-search-page-for-your-iphone/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/04/swearch-me-is-a-slick-four-way-search-page-for-your-iphone/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/10/04/swearch-me-is-a-slick-four-way-search-page-for-your-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,


Swearch.me is a slick little mobile web app with a simple mission: to provide you with easy access to a handful of popular search options from a single location. With a swipe of your finger to the left or right you can quickly jump between Google, Twitter, Wikipedia, and Flickr. It's even optimized for the iPhone 4 retina display.

I did note one quirk I noticed while testing on my iPod touch. Everything works well in portrait view, but when rotated to landscape all I saw was the logo and the top portion of the search box. The page didn't resize, so I couldn't zoom out. It's a minor issue, but Swearch.me would be even better if it knew when to adjust itself for a wide-screen view.

[via iPhone Download Blog]

Download SquadSwearch.me is a slick four-way search page for your iPhone originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphonemobileretinasearchstart pageStartPageweb pageWebPageMon, 04 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Keyboard shortcuts make Google Instant even faster]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/30/keyboard-shortcuts-make-google-instant-even-faster/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/30/keyboard-shortcuts-make-google-instant-even-faster/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/30/keyboard-shortcuts-make-google-instant-even-faster/#commentsFiled under: ,

Like it or loathe it, Google Instant is here to stay. Big G reckons that it saves you 2-5 seconds per search, but now Google's pushing ahead with pure keyboard navigation. Of course, you've always been able to select from the suggested search terms using the arrow keys, but now the arrow up and down buttons can be used to skip through the actual search results. Hitting Enter on the desired result takes you straight to the URL, removing the need for the mouse in most of your day-to-day searching, a boon for keyboard junkies.

Google's not limiting the keyboard jockey power to just its Web search either. News, Video, Books, Blogs, Updates, and Discussions are also getting some Instant love. Users from Canada and Ireland, among others, are going to be able to get in on the Instant action too, with roll out for signed in users hitting 12 more countries imminently.

The enhancements are rolling out this week, but if you simply can't wait, Google's made a tidy little video to explain it all, which is included after the jump.

[Say Hello to our new writer, Sam, ladies and gentlemen! -Ed]

Continue reading Keyboard shortcuts make Google Instant even faster

Download SquadKeyboard shortcuts make Google Instant even faster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlegoogle instantgoogle real-timeGoogleInstantGoogleReal-timekeyboard shortcutsKeyboardShortcutspredictivereal-timesearchThu, 30 Sep 2010 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[A list of Google Instant's banned words and phrases]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/28/a-list-of-google-instants-banned-words-and-phrases/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/28/a-list-of-google-instants-banned-words-and-phrases/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/09/28/a-list-of-google-instants-banned-words-and-phrases/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A fantastic list of banned, no-we-shall-not-auto-complete-that Google Instant phrases has been compiled. At the moment there's a list of about 250, but we're certain it will quickly grow as the community prods and probes Google's new Instant search.

It shouldn't really come as a surprise that Google has a blacklist for Google Instant -- after all, the vast majority of searchers won't be looking for anything on the list -- but it does surprise me that there's no way to turn off the blacklisting. Even with SafeSearch Filtering turned off, the blacklist is still triggered.

It wouldn't be hard for Google to provide real Google Instant for those that want it. Perhaps that config option is coming -- or perhaps this is one of Google's larger steps into controlling our Web-surfing experience.

Download SquadA list of Google Instant's banned words and phrases originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blacklistcensorshipgooglegoogle instantGoogleInstantprivacysearchTue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST