App of the Week: Gesture Search (Android)

Each Tuesday we will feature a smartphone app of the week either iOS or Android compatible. Gesture Search by Google is an application that enables the user to search their phone's contents via writing, using your fingers instead of the conventional typing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="124" caption="Image from Android Market Place"][/caption]

After installing via the Market the application indexes the contents on your phone. The time required to index may vary depending on the amount of content on your phone. You may also have it index the contents of your phone in the background when using the Gesture Search for the first time. Gesture Search utilizes image processing amongst other technical details to recognize what letter you are writing and provides list of potential content that may match up what you are trying to spell.

For example,

Step 1: Draw a letter, let's say 'H'

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Image provided by Google"][/caption]

Step 2: Write the next letter. Note as you write the second letter, a list behind it is visible where you could select content that matches what you are looking for.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Image provided by Google"][/caption]

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until the content that you are looking for on your phone is available for selection.

I found Gesture Search easy to use and prefer it over searching manually via multiple screens or using the on-screen keyboard. Note: My phone does not have a slide out QWERTY keyboard.

Gesture search is great for searching for contacts, website book marks, apps and more. I definitely recommend you give it a try.

Unfortunately, you need to launch it each time to use it, which is a good reason to have it on your home screen for easy access. Hopefully, in future releases you will be able to simply "Gesture Search" from your home screen.

Download via Market :

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.gesturesearch

Andriod, Cell Phones, Graphical Interfaces, technologyJuan ZepedaOctober 18, 2011Android, android market, app, application, Gesture, google, Search, smartphoneComment

Google Flights

The holiday season is around the corner and many people travel around the country to visit family. One thing that is always a hassle, now that travel agents aren't around as much, is booking that flight ticket. Google made it easier by making a simple flight tool at www.goole.com/flights. This was expected because they acquired ITA in April 2011.

With this simple tool you can choose from the regular parameters like price range, duration, departure, return, and many more but the thing that I really like is the graph they show you which can be manipulated to see the shortest and cheapest flight. I believe Google did a good job. I know I wont be visiting those other cluttered sites to search for flights.

www.goole.com/flights

WebJuan ZepedaOctober 13, 2011flight, free, google, ita, Search, software, ticketsComment

Happy Birthday to me from Google!

Is it your Birthday? Yes! It is mine! I was freaked out today when I logged into my Google account. On Google's front page I saw this: At first, I thought Google was celebrating their birthday or their anniversary. I was shocked to see that it was on the same day of my birthday! Then I clicked on it and this popped out:

My Google profile was celebrating my Birthday. It was freaky but amazing how it happened. I remembered that Google had my Birthday and could do this but did not expect them to customize their Main page, www.google.com for my sake.

Now, when it's your birthday, log into your Google account and you will be awaiting a little surprise from Google. Happy Birthday!

WebJuan ZepedaDecember 4, 2010Birthday, Birthday cake, Companies, google, Google logo, Search, Search EnginesComment