Google has launched its Now predictive search platform for Apple’s iOS.
The company is bringing the platform to Apple’s mobile operating system as a feature on the new version of Google’s Search application for the iPhone and iPad.
Users will be able to access Google Now through the Search app itself.
The update will allow users to access the personal assistant features offered by the Now platform, such as weather, scheduling, and live updates on information such as flights, traffic, and other location-specific data.
Google Now also offers personalized news feeds, such as scores and updates on a user’s favourite sports teams and leagues.
First launched as part of the Jelly Bean update, Google Now serves as the personal assistant for the Android platform, a role filled in iOS by the Siri application. In making the Now platform a feature of the Search application, however, Google is able to skirt Apple’s notoriously tight restrictions on apps that compete with its own branded offerings.
While many of the features of Now have been brought over to iOS, components such as gesture controls and certain third-party integration features were not said to be included in the update.
IPhone and iPad users can obtain the Google Search update with Now through the iTunes App Store. The application is available free of charge and requires iOS 5.0 or later.
This article was originally published on V3.