6 ms·

Even though the study (albeit informal) did not include personal assistant functionality, that's where Google Now (as manifested in an Android phone connected t

Even though the study (albeit informal) did not include personal assistant functionality, that's where Google Now (as manifested in an Android phone connected to a google account) really shines, in that like a real personal assistant, it brings you relevant information before you even ask. Around this time last year, I used to be startled by a timely reminder on the home screen widget about the next thing I was about to do (reminder to leave now for a meeting across town scheduled for a half hour from now, or automagic notification about a flight cancellation etc). But by now, I'm so used to this functionality that I feel slightly annoyed if I actually have to ask for such information (which is almost always a voice query to my phone at this point).

ironcrucible 12y ago
I used to be a heavy Android user until I bought my first Windows Phone about six months ago. So far, Cortana has been one of the biggest[1] reasons I haven't switched back to Android, despite what feels like a lack of commitment and focus from Microsoft[2]. Her location-based and people-based reminders have been a killer feature for me. I can open Cortana and say "Next time I talk to my mother, remind me to ask her for her cheesey corn recipe". Then, next time I open the messaging app to text my mother, or open the email app to email her, or when the phone's GPS realizes I'm over at her house, Cortana will show that reminder[3]. It also works for location-based reminders: "Next time I'm at the hardware store, remind me to buy softener salt". It's been about six months since I've last used Android, but I don't think Google Now could do these types of reminders when I switched. [1]. Two other reasons: I much prefer "Live Tiles" to widgets or app buttons, and the Lumia line's cameras blow most other phones out of the water. [2]. According to the /r/WindowsPhone subreddit, Microsoft tends to update their apps on Android and iOS long before they update them on Windows Phone. Additionally, apps on the other two platforms tend to be more feature-complete. This is all anecdotal though, so take it with a grain of salt. [3]. http://imgur.com/DBQ9sjB http://imgur.com/DBQ9sjB http://imgur.com/fll3uCi http://imgur.com/fll3uCi
- Toddarooski 12y ago
  Google Now does do location-based reminders. I've never tried the "Next time I'm talking to my mom" thing, though.
  - ironcrucible 12y ago
    I'd be interested to know if Google Now can do people reminders. Unfortunately I sold my last Android device so I'm unable to test it myself, but a quick search brings up this article[1] which suggests that it doesn't exist yet. Either way, I'm sure it's only a matter of time until both Siri and Google Now can do it too (which is a good thing, I've found it incredibly useful). [1]. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/3122344?hl=en https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/3122344?hl=en
    - eco 12y ago
      It can't do reminders when you are around people yet but there have been clues[1] that it's coming found when poking inside the Google Search app. It's expected to make use of the leaked Google Nearby[2] which will "...periodically turn on the mic, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and similar features..." to aid with proximity. 1. http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/03/17/rumor-remind-me-when-im-with-this-person-may-be-coming-to-google-now/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/03/17/rumor-remind-me-when... 2. http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/06/exclusive-google-will-soon-introduce-nearby-to-let-other-people-places-and-things-know-when-youre-around/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/06/exclusive-google-wil...
- zackangelo 12y ago
  For the record, Siri also does location-based reminders and they sync across all of your devices (e.g. "When I get home, remind me to take fish oil").
  - ironcrucible 12y ago
    Thanks for clearing that up, I've never used Siri so I'm not qualified to talk about Apple's personal assistant features.
rayiner 12y ago
Having used a Nexus 5 for a year, I strongly disagree. Pulling stuff from your gmail is a cute trick, but it never happened reliably enough where I would actually trust it. Especially when you're not otherwise bought into the Google ecosystem. So with either, I'm in the mode of dictating things manually. And Siri shines at that. At least for me, voice recognition on my 6+ is much faster than on my Nexus 5. It always feels like Google Now does an internet query even though I've got the local recognition enabled. And Siri is much better at following the context of what you're saying to it.
- chetanahuja 12y ago
  "Pulling stuff from your gmail is a cute trick" ... It has proven to be an incredibly powerful feature at least for me. I could repeat the list of things others have listed (e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8435239 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8435239 ) but why be redundant. "Especially when you're not otherwise bought into the Google ecosystem" Well yeah. I have to admit that at work I'm a heavy user of google calendar and email and in personal life maps, navigation, email, calendar and google search. Honestly, that's what I see most iPhone users around me use too. The point here is that if google cloud services are already in your life (as they are in 100's of millions of people's lives), Google Now on Android puts a nice face to it and brings them together in a very user-friendly and intuitive way. "I'm in the mode of dictating things manually. And Siri shines at that" Perhaps you didn't read the original posting that we're discussing here. It shows how far Siri has to go to catch up with Google's Now's voice search.
  - rayiner 12y ago
    I don't see the utility, honestly. The stuff I need to remember is in my company's Exchange server, not in my gmail. All I get in Google Now is reminders of people's birthdays who I don't care about.
JamesSwift 12y ago
Agreed. I've always been pleasantly surprised by things that Google Now has brought to my attention. Some examples of things I've not done anything to explictly be told about, but have been relevant when shown: - Directions to a restaurant I'm about to go to - Flight delayed notification - Traffic time abnormalities going to/from work - Package shipping updates - Sports scores for teams I'm interested in

ironcrucible 12y ago

I used to be a heavy Android user until I bought my first Windows Phone about six months ago. So far, Cortana has been one of the biggest[1] reasons I haven't switched back to Android, despite what feels like a lack of commitment and focus from Microsoft[2]. Her location-based and people-based reminders have been a killer feature for me. I can open Cortana and say "Next time I talk to my mother, remind me to ask her for her cheesey corn recipe". Then, next time I open the messaging app to text my mother, or open the email app to email her, or when the phone's GPS realizes I'm over at her house, Cortana will show that reminder[3]. It also works for location-based reminders: "Next time I'm at the hardware store, remind me to buy softener salt". It's been about six months since I've last used Android, but I don't think Google Now could do these types of reminders when I switched. [1]. Two other reasons: I much prefer "Live Tiles" to widgets or app buttons, and the Lumia line's cameras blow most other phones out of the water. [2]. According to the /r/WindowsPhone subreddit, Microsoft tends to update their apps on Android and iOS long before they update them on Windows Phone. Additionally, apps on the other two platforms tend to be more feature-complete. This is all anecdotal though, so take it with a grain of salt. [3]. http://imgur.com/DBQ9sjB http://imgur.com/DBQ9sjB http://imgur.com/fll3uCi http://imgur.com/fll3uCi

Toddarooski 12y ago
Google Now does do location-based reminders. I've never tried the "Next time I'm talking to my mom" thing, though.
- ironcrucible 12y ago
  I'd be interested to know if Google Now can do people reminders. Unfortunately I sold my last Android device so I'm unable to test it myself, but a quick search brings up this article[1] which suggests that it doesn't exist yet. Either way, I'm sure it's only a matter of time until both Siri and Google Now can do it too (which is a good thing, I've found it incredibly useful). [1]. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/3122344?hl=en https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/3122344?hl=en
  - eco 12y ago
    It can't do reminders when you are around people yet but there have been clues[1] that it's coming found when poking inside the Google Search app. It's expected to make use of the leaked Google Nearby[2] which will "...periodically turn on the mic, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and similar features..." to aid with proximity. 1. http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/03/17/rumor-remind-me-when-im-with-this-person-may-be-coming-to-google-now/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/03/17/rumor-remind-me-when... 2. http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/06/exclusive-google-will-soon-introduce-nearby-to-let-other-people-places-and-things-know-when-youre-around/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/06/exclusive-google-wil...
zackangelo 12y ago
For the record, Siri also does location-based reminders and they sync across all of your devices (e.g. "When I get home, remind me to take fish oil").
- ironcrucible 12y ago
  Thanks for clearing that up, I've never used Siri so I'm not qualified to talk about Apple's personal assistant features.

rayiner 12y ago

Having used a Nexus 5 for a year, I strongly disagree. Pulling stuff from your gmail is a cute trick, but it never happened reliably enough where I would actually trust it. Especially when you're not otherwise bought into the Google ecosystem. So with either, I'm in the mode of dictating things manually. And Siri shines at that. At least for me, voice recognition on my 6+ is much faster than on my Nexus 5. It always feels like Google Now does an internet query even though I've got the local recognition enabled. And Siri is much better at following the context of what you're saying to it.

chetanahuja 12y ago
"Pulling stuff from your gmail is a cute trick" ... It has proven to be an incredibly powerful feature at least for me. I could repeat the list of things others have listed (e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8435239 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8435239 ) but why be redundant. "Especially when you're not otherwise bought into the Google ecosystem" Well yeah. I have to admit that at work I'm a heavy user of google calendar and email and in personal life maps, navigation, email, calendar and google search. Honestly, that's what I see most iPhone users around me use too. The point here is that if google cloud services are already in your life (as they are in 100's of millions of people's lives), Google Now on Android puts a nice face to it and brings them together in a very user-friendly and intuitive way. "I'm in the mode of dictating things manually. And Siri shines at that" Perhaps you didn't read the original posting that we're discussing here. It shows how far Siri has to go to catch up with Google's Now's voice search.
- rayiner 12y ago
  I don't see the utility, honestly. The stuff I need to remember is in my company's Exchange server, not in my gmail. All I get in Google Now is reminders of people's birthdays who I don't care about.

JamesSwift 12y ago

Agreed. I've always been pleasantly surprised by things that Google Now has brought to my attention. Some examples of things I've not done anything to explictly be told about, but have been relevant when shown: - Directions to a restaurant I'm about to go to - Flight delayed notification - Traffic time abnormalities going to/from work - Package shipping updates - Sports scores for teams I'm interested in