iOS 9 Release Date & Rumors: New Apple OS To Compete With Google Now With New 'Proactive' For Deeper Search Option
It seems that Google's huge presence on iOS devices is slowly coming to an end. Word is out that Apple Inc. is developing a search engine for its devices that would rival Google Now's dominion. The initiative is said to debut alongside the iOS 9 this coming June.
9to5mac first dropped the reveal on the upcoming technology on its site. It described "Proactive" as a tool that would "automatically provide timely information based on the user's data and device usage patterns." The tool would utilize Siri, Calendar, Contacts, Passbook other applications in the device to come up with suggestions that would interest the user.
Based from the description, it is very similar to what Google Now has been providing to its users, reported Forbes. This tool was introduced into Android devices in 2012 and has been a key service of the OS, which propelled it to have its own "dedicated page to the left of the home screen" for immediate access.
While the tool is primarily used in Android OS including Android Wear, that did not prevent Google from placing it in the iOS through its Chrome platform, which links all Google-based applications.
It seems that the Cupertino-based firm saw the value in having this kind of search engine tool, which made it decide to come up with a similar one for its OS.
Tech Crunch reported that Apple Inc. has been working on developing the tool for a long time, beginning with its acquisition of the personal assistant app called Cue in 2013.
Apple tested the tool by adding Wikipedia results in the Spotlight search to minimize dependence on Google, 9to5mac said, adding that the new "Proactive" tool would be located at the left side of the first Home Screen, similar to where Spotlight was in iOS 7, so that users could easily see it.
While the new tool would allow search results for names and details within the device, it is said to focus more on coming up with News and Trending Topics suggestions.
It would also add buttons for faster access of frequently used apps on the screen. "For example, if an iPhone user typically opens the Facebook app when he wakes up around 9Am, a button to access facebook will start to appear for the user around 9AM," wrote 9to5mac.
Apple has yet to confirm the arrival of "Proactive" and it remains to be seen if the tool will be unveiled at the WWDC 2015 event happening in June.
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