wraggster
July 11th, 2012, 18:51
Privacy row brewing as early users discover the tool knows where they live – whether they tell them or not.
Google unveiled Google Now at its recent Google IO event. The search aid will be part of the next update of Android OS. Google says it allows users to get "just the information at just the right time".
Now reports are hitting the internet describing just how accurate it is.
A user on Reddit posted: "I don’t know if this has happened to anyone else, but Google Now knows where I live. After 3 days on [Jelly Bean], I opened Google Now at work and it gave me time and directions to get back home. I thought it was cool and then I opened up Google Maps on my home computer. Lo and behold there is now a new, completely different looking icon where I live that is labeled home. I didn’t add it nor did I ever even search for directions back home. I’m not afraid of technology or anything, but that one was pretty odd."
Meanwhile an article at Android Does.com (http://www.android-does.com/google-now-one-step-closer-star-trek-future/) describes how the writer is already getting unsolicited "cards" delivered to his phone with details on how long the drive home will take, what the weather will be like the next day and how his team is doing.
With accurate voice recognition too, Google Now is (obviously) being touted as a Siri killer. Time will tell, but it will be interesting to watch how Google positions its smartphone personal assistant, as the line between cool and creepy becomes increasingly hard to discern.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/google-now-knows-everything-about-you/018593
Google unveiled Google Now at its recent Google IO event. The search aid will be part of the next update of Android OS. Google says it allows users to get "just the information at just the right time".
Now reports are hitting the internet describing just how accurate it is.
A user on Reddit posted: "I don’t know if this has happened to anyone else, but Google Now knows where I live. After 3 days on [Jelly Bean], I opened Google Now at work and it gave me time and directions to get back home. I thought it was cool and then I opened up Google Maps on my home computer. Lo and behold there is now a new, completely different looking icon where I live that is labeled home. I didn’t add it nor did I ever even search for directions back home. I’m not afraid of technology or anything, but that one was pretty odd."
Meanwhile an article at Android Does.com (http://www.android-does.com/google-now-one-step-closer-star-trek-future/) describes how the writer is already getting unsolicited "cards" delivered to his phone with details on how long the drive home will take, what the weather will be like the next day and how his team is doing.
With accurate voice recognition too, Google Now is (obviously) being touted as a Siri killer. Time will tell, but it will be interesting to watch how Google positions its smartphone personal assistant, as the line between cool and creepy becomes increasingly hard to discern.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/google-now-knows-everything-about-you/018593