Move over, Siri. The personal assistant feature Google Now is now available for the iPhone and iPad, in Google's Search app in the Apple App Store.
The iOS version is similar to the Android version Google already has integrated in its operating system. When the latest version of Android was released last year, one of the most interesting features of Jelly Bean was the Google Now software.
"With Google Now you don't even have to do search. Information is right there waiting for you before you even ask. It's all about providing you with the right information, based on your context, at just the right time," said Baris Gultekin, Google Now product management director, on Wednesday at a company earnings call, according to ABC News.
Google Now can track your typical commute and offer a faster one or tell you when the next bus or train will come if you take public transit. It also keeps you up-to-date on flight status and updates you if there's a delay. Sports fans can keep up with the scores of their favorite teams.
However, the iOS version of Google Now is not as complete as the version on Android. The iPhone and iPad Google Now can't provide users with information about nearby events. It also cannot provide users with their boarding pass, meaning you still have to use the airport ticket machines. Users on iOS cannot get push notifications from Google Now either.
The company has kept a clean look for the feature, using a clean, modern font and a good amount of white space.
This might be another move toward a direct challenge to Apple's Siri, an already popular personal assistant app. Apple introduced the voice-controlled personal assistant in iOS in 2010. Just like Siri, Google Now also supports voice control.
"Google Now is about giving you just the right information at just the right time. Together, Google Now and voice search will make your day run a little smoother," Google said in a blog post.
