Google Now, the cool, helpful and just-in-time service that delivers an expanding variety of travel, weather and other information to Android mobile users as they need it, is reportedly now under development for desktop users as well.
An early glimpse of the upcoming feature was posted on Google+ by a French developer, Francois Beaufort. He described its presence in the latest beta build of the browser, a March 12 story by Slashgear noted.
Signs point to Google Now, the context and prediction engine, coming to the desktop with a new Chromium feature “teasing the functionality” but not currently operational, the story said.
The service is not yet live, yet its appearance in the beta build could indicate that Google is looking at expanding its use to the desktop.
“Sadly, we still can’t play with it yet because the Google Now server URL still remains secret,” Beaufort wrote in his Google+ post.
Google Now, which was introduced by Google in June 2012, presents its information through a series of flip-through “cards” that are visible on the screen of Android mobile devices, providing a different piece of information on each card. The “cards” appear on Android mobile devices at the moment they are needed by users, such as the train schedule card appearing when they are heading to the local train station.
Users of Google Now set their own preferences for what information cards appear on their mobile devices. So far, more than 25 cards are available for the instant updates about public transportation, flight information, traffic reports, sports scores, appointments, weather, hotels, events, restaurant reservations and more.
Google Now is available for free through the latest version of the Google Search app for Android, which can be downloaded from the Google Play store for devices running Android 4.1 and above.
A useful setup guide for installing and organizing Google Now on your devices is available through Android Authority.
In December 2012, Google Now received a host of other intriguing improvements aimed at making holiday travel easier and less stressful, including the availability of instant and up-to-date travel information before users even head to the airport, train station or bus terminal. It also now brings travelers helpful information on the weather and things to do in their destination city as they travel. Once at their destination, Google Now can display options for things to do in the new location, including information on local events near users, as well as suggestions for Websites to explore the events and to get more information on museums, culture and more.
For desktop computer users, Google Now could deliver an experience that brings real-time information on a variety of things, such as news, weather, sports and more.
In February, Google Now added several new updates, including the ability for users to get instant movie ratings before heading to a local theater, while also being able to receive their tickets right on the screen of their device. Also added was the instant availability of listings for houses and condos for sale in local neighborhoods, making it easier for homebuyers to find the place that’s right for them.