Google 3.1 "The App"

Google Search for iOS finally seems to have caught up with its Android counterpart.

Released Tuesday, version 3.1 of Google Search for iOS updates Google Now, which provides notifications, reminders, and other personalized taps on the shoulder.

Prominent among the enhancements is hands-free voice searching. You can trigger a search just by  launching the search app, uttering the phrase "OK Google," and then speaking your query. In return, your iPhone or iPad either displays or speaks the hopefully appropriate response. The hands-free voice search requires an iPhone 4s or later.

Notifications can now alert you to specific items without even opening the Google Search app. You can ask Google to remind you of appointments, tasks, and even news items. Google Now also offers iOS users new cards that can display movie and concert tickets, boarding passes, reservation confirmations, and other bits of information.

Finally, Google has beefed up the overall app. The search page is more streamlined. You can use gestures to zoom in or remove panels. And you only need to sign in once to use all other Google apps.

Google Search is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and requires iOS 6.0 or later.

Google Now gets even better with:
• Notifications – Get notified when it’s time to go
• Reminders – Never forget to put out the trash
• New cards – See tickets, boarding passes, & more
• Hands-free voice – Just say “OK Google” to search*
* requires iPhone 4s or later

Notifications deliver info before you open the app:
• When to leave for your next appointment or event
• If your flight is running late
• How to catch the last train home

Ask Google to remember things for you. Just say:
• “Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks,” or
• “Remind me to check out the fair this weekend”
and Google will remind you at the right time or place.

You can also ask to be reminded when your favorite:
• Musicians release a new album
• TV show has a new episode
• Actors star in a new movie
• Celebrities and politicians make headlines
Just search and press the “remind me” button.

New cards organize the info you care about:
• Tickets for movies, concerts and events
• Boarding passes for your flights
• Reservation confirmations for car rentals
• Warnings when your last train home leaves
• Lists of upcoming local events

And finally, search is better than ever with:
• A redesigned and simplified homepage
• Gestures to zoom or throw away images
• One touch sign in if you use other Google apps
• Improved voiceover accessibility

Check out the promo video of the new Google Now.