Android 6.0 Marshmallow has brought several cool new features, but Google Now on Tap stands out as the best of them all. This new way to use Google search displays cards with extra information and application shortcuts on top of whatever you’re doing. All you have to do is press and hold the home button on your Android to activate it. Here are three ways to use it:
1. Making plans: When you’re texting or emailing a friend about getting dinner or catching a movie, use Now on Tap to help make your decision. With Now on Tap, you’ll see a star rating for the restaurant your friend mentioned, plus a link to Google Maps to get directions. And if you have the OpenTable app installed on your phone, you’ll also get a shortcut to reserve a table. Planning to see a movie? Now on Tap shows a description of the film, a shortcut to the trailer on YouTube, and a link to the cast.
2. Looking up information: Say you’re reading an article on Chrome and you want to learn more about what’s discussed in the story. Just call up Now on Tap to get a little extra information. The menu will show you cards for any relevant keywords that can find on the screen, with links to learn more on Google and get the latest news on that topic. This comes in handy in many places; if you’re listening to music on Spotify, you can look up the artist; while browsing Twitter, you can look up someone who’s mentioned in a tweet; even on Google Play, you can learn more about an app or game with Now on Tap.
3. Voice interactions: Google Now on Tap doesn’t only appear on your screen; the feature is also useful for faster and smarter voice searches. Activate Now on Tap, then tap the microphone in the Google search bar that appears, and ask a question. You don’t even have to include details in your query because Google uses the information on your screen for context. Or if you’re looking up someone’s Instagram account, you can find out their age or where they were born.
Now on Tap is definitely worth giving a try. It’s a new way to use Google search that makes your day-to-day tasks easier and faster. For more about Android Marshmallow, head over to cnet.com.