[Android app] Google Search update brings improvements to Google Now

The Google Search for Android app has been updated bringing several improvements to Google Now, including information for the Sochi Winter Olympics. The new cards include medal standings, news, and upcoming events in chronological order.

For fans of the Olympics, Google Now will automatically show these cards, or you can search for them on demand to get information updated in real time. The new Olympics card is filled with quick access to standings and news, then shows a chronological list of the next few events and their start times.

Additionally Google Now includes the ability to call or send a text message to one of your contacts. You can even press the microphone icon on the search widget and say the name of the person you want to call. For example, say “call my sister” and as long as you have at least one person in your contacts designated as your sister, it will place the call. SMS can be triggered by saying “send text to John.” The app will confirm with you who exactly you are looking for should you have multiple Ted’s, or more than one sister in your contacts, the same as it will confirm the number if they have multiple numbers.

Along with the improvements to voice commands, the update also adds new languages to setting reminders, which now include French, Japanese, Korean and German.

Event reminder enhancements allow you to designate your method of travel and the amount of time ahead of the event start time you wish to arrive at your location. This is especially great for getting to the airport in time for a flight.

You can download the update directly on your device through the Google Play Store or by using the link which follows:

Download
Price	Free
Requirements	Varies with device

As Google Now continues to bring useful enhancements, iOS users will find themselves falling behind, unless they rely on the Google Search for iOS app instead of Siri. We are even more curios to see how Microsoft responds will Cortana as the competition continues to leave them far behind.