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Bing for iPhone gains barcode scanner for comparison shopping, Uber and GIF support

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2015

Microsoft today pushed a nice update to Bing for iPhone, just in time for your holiday shopping spree. The refreshed app brings some welcome enhancements to iPhone users of the app, including a barcode scanning feature for in-store price comparison, Uber integration with real-time data, support for animated GIFs and other user experience changes and optimizations. Bing 6.1 for iPhone is available free in the App Store.

Google’s search app gains 3D Touch support, Split View multitasking on iPad & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 11, 2015

The search monster Google on Friday issued an update to its mobile search application in the App Store, adding support for 3D Touch gestures on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and iOS 9's new multitasking modes on select iPads, while improving search results for places and local businesses.

With 3D Touch, hard-pressing on the Google app's icon on the Home screen brings up quick shortcuts for Search, Voice Search and Image Search features.

How to search iDB quickly using Workflow

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Searching iDB using the Google Site Search box embedded on the blog usually returns super-accurate and trustworthy results. But wouldn't it be cool if you could perform searches directly from a Notification Center Today View Widget?

If you have Workflow installed on your iOS device, it'll only take a few seconds to install my iDB Search workflow for super-quick searches from anywhere on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Official Google app revamps voice search interface and Google Now cards

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 18, 2015

In addition to refreshing the layout for Communities and Collections on Google+, the search monster today also rolled out an update to its iOS search app.

Available at no charge in the App Store, the native Google search experience on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad now includes an overhauled voice search interface with a nicely animated logo.

More important than that, the layout of your Google Now cards has been reworked and updated to better organize and surface content for you.

Microsoft completely overhauls Bing for iPhone, implements iOS deep links and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 18, 2015

In an effort to increase pressure on Google, Windows giant Microsoft today pushed a completely overhauled Bing for iPhone into the App Store. The software features a new branding identity reflected on the app's Home screen icon and a matching new-look interface with tight iOS integration via deep linking.

In addition, the app now works offline so you can go back to your bookmarks and search history even when you don’t have an Internet connection.

“We designed the app to bring together the information you need, connected to the apps you trust, to help you 'find' and 'do' faster and easier than ever before,” wrote the team.

How to quickly search iDB using Launch Center Pro

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

My colleague Timothy Reavis shared a slick little Launch Center Pro action with me, and it was so good that I felt obliged to share it with you guys. Launch Center Pro is, of course, the long running app that brings all sorts of handy shortcuts to your iOS device.

With 3D Touch, Launch Center Pro is even more powerful, because you can quickly execute actions directly from the iOS Home screen. As such, it's possible to initiate a search of iDownloadBlog from anywhere on the Home screen of a 3D Touch-equipped iOS device.

Facebook deep links will begin to soon surface in Google search results

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 16, 2015

As reported by The Wall Street Journal this morning, your Google search results will soon start to serve deep links based on content from Facebook's mobile app which, when clicked, will take you straight to the relevant part of the Facebook app.

A spokeswoman for Google parent Alphabet has confirmed the feature will begin to roll out soon.

Last month, the Internet giant announced integration between its search engine and iOS 9 apps via so-called App Indexing feature and today's announcement delivers on that promise.

App Store search results are now smarter and more relevant

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Apple has been working hard in recent weeks to make App Store search results smarter and more relevant, reports TechCrunch. The outlet points to comments from high profile app developers, who began noticing changes to the search results earlier this month and a major algorithm update on November 12.

"I just searched Twitter on the App Store and Instagram is gone," Contrast's David Barnard pointed out on Twitter. "Tweetbot is #4, Twitterrific #5, and more relevant results overall." Tapbots developer Paul Haddad also spotted the change, noting that the change has had a significant impact on his app searches.

New Apple TV lacking Siri search for Apple Music and App Store apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 29, 2015

As the new Apple TV is scheduled to hit Apple's retail stores tomorrow, first reviews are now in. Journalists who were given a chance to spend some quality time with review units are praising evolutionary improvements to the living room experience while highlighting untapped potential for the refreshed $149 device.

One of the common complaints focuses on Siri and its inability to search apps for the Apple TV in a dedicated App Store. In addition, reports are noting that users won't be able to search Apple Music with their voice at launch, the omission Apple claims will be addressed with a software update due at the beginning of next year.

Facebook search results now include public posts

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 23, 2015

Facebook announced yesterday it is now including public posts into search results while bringing personalized suggestions and highlighting popular stories with expanded search functions.

“Today, we’re updating Facebook Search so that in addition to friends and family, you can find out what the world is saying about topics that matter to you,” wrote the social networking firm.

Enhanced search features are currently available across Facebook for iPhone, Android and on the web, to US English users only.

Google launching deep integration between search and iOS 9 apps by month’s end

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2015

Google announced today that Apple fans who are running iOS 9 on their iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices will soon start seeing app content in their search results in the Safari browser.

The company's so-called App Indexing feature is now compatible with HTTP deep link standards for iOS 9. Owners of iOS 9 devices should expect app content to begin surfacing in search results by month's end.