Google needs a new tagline: The future of search is Now

It wouldn't be a stretch, given the huge bet Google is making that it can create intelligent digital assistants for billions of people by putting Google's computer brain to work for you via Google Now. The service, which Google this week expanded to iOS users, is about far more than one-upping Siri in the battle for digital assistants.
 Google is angling to maintain its top position in search as people leave the desktop and search on mobile and wearable devices.
Google Now, arguably not the most compelling name, makes the point: Google wants to tell you what you need to know "now," quickly and accurately.
It works by turning natural language queries -- speaking to computer as if to another human -- into precise answers delivered from Google's servers.
At this stage of Google Now, the main interface is "cards," virtual boxes with information on traffic, weather, sports, stocks, public transit, flights, events, shipments, appointments, and so on.
 You can ask questions, such as "What time does the San Francisco Giants game start?" or "What will the weather in New York be like next week?," and Now offers an info card and audio response when appropriate.
Where Google Now becomes most interesting, and useful, is when it does a mind meld with user data gleaned from your mobile devices, Google services and other, non-Google apps. For example, Now can detect restaurant reservations from your Gmail account, and automatically send you an alert along with with directions from wherever you are.
Google Now can detect that you check news and scores on the New York Yankees, for example, and then automatically present the latest scores and news updates.
(cnt)