14 DAY TRIAL // Google’s Now on Tap was introduced last year with the release of Android Marshmallow 6.0, and it has been receiving updates and improvements ever since. At the moment, the company seems to have started testing some new features for it.
Now on Tap makes it easy for users to search for various content online by simply tapping and holding the home button on their phones. When Now on Tap activates, it analyzes the screen of the handset and provides users with suggestions.
At the start of the month, Google announced its intention of bringing new functionality to Now on Tap feature, in order to improve its popularity among users. The Mountain View-based giant introduced an interesting feature that allows users to get information on images in the camera mode.
To add improvements to the feature, Google has started A/B testing some additional tools, like a number of shortcuts and quick links to Now on Tap. However, the feature isn’t visible to all users.
Google Now on Tap version 6.0 has a row with nearby places
Version 6.0 of the app allows users to activate Now on Tap on the homescreen or app launcher and see a new row of shortcuts to various Google tasks. The row includes shortcuts to a new reminder, create event, set an alarm, start timer, navigate to work and navigate home.
The same UI that users can see when asking via voice commands in the Google app opens when pressing any of the shortcuts. The new version also comes with a second row of options, one designed for finding nearby places of interest.
A Google search is performed when users tap on the button for restaurants, cafes, bars or gas stations. Google won’t be opening Maps for displaying suggestions of locations, and the shortcuts are only displayed when Now on Tap is activated on the home screen.
Moreover, Google has added the ability to disable Google Now cards but keep Now on Tap active. The new shortcuts and features appear in the Now on Tap version 6.0, which is currently in beta testing.