Google iOS app gets new name, more search focus

Google's iOS app has undergone a makeover and rebadging. Previously known as Google Mobile App, Google Search still provides easy access to all of Google's online tools, such as Google Docs and Gmail, but the search interface has been redesigned and gesture support has been added. The main focus of the app, as reflected in the name change, is web searching, but links to other online services are still available via a button.

Web searches can be performed in a number of ways -- typing in the usual way, by using voice commands or by taking photographs with your iPhone's camera. However a search is performed, once the results are displayed, a swipe to the right provides access to options that can be used to refine your search, limiting results to images, news, videos and a number of other categories.

Search results can also be customized to your current location thanks to GPS support, and a quick swipe down returns you to the main search page. Searching using camera images can be used to find products either by scanning barcodes or by photographing books, DVDs and album covers. It can also be used to recognize a number of common objects and landmarks.

With so many tools and services provided by Google, it is unlikely that you will make regular use of all of them, but they can all be accessed through the app. To make the extensive list of links more manageable, it is possible to re-order entries so your most frequently used services appear at the top, while those you don't use at all can be hidden completely.

This is an impressive update to an app that was already very useful. The tweaks and changes may seem small to start with, but they make a real difference. You can find out more and download a copy of the app by paying a visit to the Google Search review page.