Something like Google Now for iOS?

[Beeplance]

Just saw this article regarding a new app that will be arriving shortly. What do you guys think?

http://www.redmondpie.com/grokr-app-for-iphone-brings-google-now-like-functionality-to-ios-devices/

I think it's quite cool.

 

[KirkL]

I think Google Now (and others like it) are very cool from an AI standpoint, but am I the only one who's concerned about how much of a privacy invasion these apps are?

 

[Beeplance]

I think Google Now (and others like it) are very cool from an AI standpoint, but am I the only one who's concerned about how much of a privacy invasion these apps are?

Maybe so, but apps like this can't function without your information.

 

[The iGentleman]

Just saw this article regarding a new app that will be arriving shortly. What do you guys think?

http://www.redmondpie.com/grokr-app-for-iphone-brings-google-now-like-functionality-to-ios-devices/

I think it's quite cool.

I don't see this as being anything more than an attempt at an imitation. An attempt that really is nothing like Google Now at all. The biggest reason for this is that you don't have to actively use Google Now for it to be useful, whereas with this app you will have to (at least from my understanding of it). Also, I don't see anything that points to browser integration (computer) either. All in all, it doesn't seem like anything special at all.

I think Google Now (and others like it) are very cool from an AI standpoint, but am I the only one who's concerned about how much of a privacy invasion these apps are?

Google Now isn't getting any more information than what was already being given. The difference is Google Now puts that information to practical use for the user.

 

[KirkL]

I don't see this as being anything more than an attempt at an imitation. An attempt that really is nothing like Google Now at all. The biggest reason for this is that you don't have to actively use Google Now for it to be useful, whereas with this app you will have to (at least from my understanding of it). Also, I don't see anything that points to browser integration (computer) either. All in all, it doesn't seem like anything special at all.


Google Now isn't getting any more information than what was already being given. The difference is Google Now puts that information to practical use for the user.

Are you sure? With Google Now, it seems like a more tacit acknowledgement that you don't mind Google tracking where you go and what you do. I could be entirely wrong, but wasn't that what the whole "Location-gate" fiasco was about. Only now, you're opting in to being tracked

 

[The iGentleman]

Are you sure? With Google Now, it seems like a more tacit acknowledgement that you don't mind Google tracking where you go and what you do. I could be entirely wrong, but wasn't that what the whole "Location-gate" fiasco was about. Only now, you're opting in to being tracked

No that isn't what "location-gate" was about. The difference here is people already were opting in for location tracking. It asks you this when you first set an Android phone up. This is nothing new at all. The only difference now is that the data being obtained is being put to use in a way the user can see a tangible benefit.

 

[Tinmania]

Are you sure? With Google Now, it seems like a more tacit acknowledgement that you don't mind Google tracking where you go and what you do. I could be entirely wrong, but wasn't that what the whole "Location-gate" fiasco was about. Only now, you're opting in to being tracked

Well it was a little weird at first to see it telling me how traffic was for my ride home but at the end of the day it already knows where I live before I ever used Google Now.

As iG said, it is at least letting us get some benefit out of this--instead of just advertisers. And advertisers would get it regardless.



Michaels

 

[matttye]

Due to limited multitasking on iOS I think this is set to fail.

Google Now runs in the background and reminds you about things. On iOS, this could only run in the background for ten minutes.

I wonder if it will hook into the reminders or calendar apps (if that's possible) saying "launch Grokr now" or something like that.

 

[dalbir4444]

I think Google Now (and others like it) are very cool from an AI standpoint, but am I the only one who's concerned about how much of a privacy invasion these apps are?

Not really. They already have access to your web history and emails if you use GMail.

 

[hyteckit]

Haha.. even the weather screen looks like Google Now.

Cool, but I have no use for it.

I don't even use Google Now.