Google 5.2.0
Universal GUI
Google Search begins with a nice visual guide that mostly focuses on Now, the search giant’s intelligent personal assistant, similar to Apple’s Siri. Once you’ve logged in, Google Search displays the main search UI, while tapping the grid icon at the top displays all of Google’s apps and services, including Drive, Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Google+, etc.
The Google app has also been redesigned with the new Material Design animations, the famous new standard that the company uses for all its apps. This has resulted in some pretty cool additions, including bigger photos in image search.
The app has also received some new buttons. For instance, the “Recents” button will show you all the recently visited pages, which is particularly useful if you want to go back to a search you’ve made via this tool. Furthermore, there’s now a permanent Google button that will launch a new search with just one tap.
The layout is fairly clean and navigation between services is pretty swift.The app’s transition towards other Google services has become better in the latest updates. For instance, you can easily explore interactive maps, Street view imagery and other interesting images from Maps straight from the Google app, without having to switch over or launch another tool.
All of Google's offerings in one app
Google Search does everything. For example, you can say “Ok Google” at any time and the app will listen to your voice. Just ask it anything and it will do its best to answer your question, also in a verbal manner.
Google Now automatically gives you the information you need throughout your day, such as weather, news and traffic, updates on sports, movies and events, or reminders.
Google Now cards
The Google Search app comes with the Google Now cards that Android users love so much, which will keep you updated on things you like based on your search history in the app, as well as data gathered via other Google apps. You’ll also get Google Now cards for traffic information, based on both your physical location and those you provide manually, as well as TV recommendations.
Ad supported
Despite being ad-supported, we can’t tax Google Search for serving ads. It’s practically what their whole business model is built upon. However, given the amount of personal information it requires to be used, even for a simple web search, we can’t deem it a 100% free service either.
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0/5
Hits & Misses
hits
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misses
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Bottom Line
Design / UI10
Google Search looks great after the Material Design update |
Function9
Everything that Google has to offer, inside one handy app. Some thing could be done better, but we don’t know any other companies that can do all this at once. |
Security6
Needless to point out, Google Search is one of the most connected apps in the history of computing. Nothing gets by this one, so be careful what information you feed it. |
Battery8
Normal consumption levels for the most part, but some services will drain more power than others. YouTube is a contender for the crown, obviously. |
Price10
App is free to use, although you might encounter some adds here and there while searching |
Compatibility9
Requires iOS 7 as minimum, so iOS 6 users and below are left out in the cold. It has an iPad-native version as well. The tablet app takes full advantage of the bigger display. |
Everything that Google has to offer in one handy app
Specifications
- price:
- Free with ads
- current version:
- 5.2.0
- reviewed version:
- 5.0.0
- developer:
- Google Inc.
- category:
- INTERNET & NETWORK
- os version req.:
- 7.0
- age rating:
- 17+
- in-app purchases:
- No
- hits:
- 525