If you were impressed with how convenient Google Now can make your life, then get ready for Now on Tap, an update to Google’s virtual assistant that will make it even smarter. With the addition of contextual information and better learning, it’s actually a little unsettling how well Now on Tap will know you and what you want.
During Google I/O, the company’s annual developer conference, Google announced it will make its virtual assistant Google Now even smarter with Now on Tap, which adds contextual information and improved natural language support. At its core, Now on Tap looks at what is on your screen and takes relevant actions, based on what you need in that moment. For example, if you’re listening to music on Spotify, you can ask for the artist’s given name, without specifically saying the artist’s stage name, and Google Now will provide you an answer. Another example Google highlighted is when you’re reading an email that talks about movies. Pressing and holding the home button will present you with various Google Now cards for each of the movies, so you can check out a synopsis or grab tickets. Of course, Now on Tap can work in a variety of scenarios, such as Google Now automatically pulling up restaurant reviews and hours when you text someone about dinner plans. However, it can also work in simpler scenarios, such as presenting you with a definition card when you tap on a word in Chrome.