Google Now is receiving a hefty upgrade in
Android M, allowing it to understand more context-sensitive queries, as well as being more generally available to users.
Now on Tap will allow users to trigger the Google Now voice prompt by tapping the home button for help, regardless of whether the user is on a website or an app, with users able to easily return to what they were doing once their query has been answered.
The update will also allow Google Now to take note of whatever is happening on the mobile device, and offer up what it thinks would be handy at that moment in time. For example, using Now on Tap when in the middle of a conversation with a friend about restaurants may come up with a list of nearby restaurants for a specific cuisine, or if it is named, information about the restaurant itself. Google Now will still provide the option to perform a normal voice search alongside the query.
The context awareness can be used in different ways in a variety of apps. One example given is when the user is listening to a song by Skrillex, triggering Now, and asking "What's his real name?" Google Now is able to work out the question is about the musical artist, and provide the relevant answer. Cards for movie reviews and cast lists for films could appear on screen during an email thread about specific movies.
Developers do not need to add any code in order to allow Now on Tap to function within their app, with Google claiming it will work so long as their apps are indexed by the search engine. More details about Now on Tap will be provided by Google closer to the Android M release.
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