Google Search update brings improved Google Now experience, return of the weather slider
The Google Search app has been updated, bringing “faster search results” and an improved Google Now experience to devices running Android 4.1 or higher. While there are plenty of little tweaks, such as the introduction of a small information button that allows you to change settings on a card quickly (such as favoriting a sports team), personally I’m most excited about the return of the hourly weather slider.
For some reason in a past Google Now update, Google eliminated the interactive weather card, making checking weather via the interface practically useless (in my book, at least). But it’s back and again allowing hourly views of temperature and precipitation conditions in your local vicinity, making Google Now a decent replacement for a standalone weather app once again.
Other updates include “real time” package tracking and an overhauled settings menu including a new “My Stuff” category to manage favorited items, teams you follow, stocks, etc.. Overall, Now continues to round itself into a particularly useful part of the Android experience, which is a long way from where it started off.