Google has added a new, highly usable function to the ever-expanding functionality of their impressive Android platform. The new ‘Gesture Search’ function will be available to those operating on Android 2 or above, and allows searches to be carried out simply by drawing letters on a touch screen.
When users open the function, they simply sketch the letter of the item they are searching for, which in turn brings up a list of results – with a focus on the phonebook – which fit the letter. Google have also made the application impressively simple to use. If you draw a letter that looks like another one (confusing an F and a T, for example), the result for both will be bought up (better get practicing your handwriting!), while you can also ‘cross out’ your search results. This can be done one letter at a time by ‘crossing’ the letters from right to left, or you can delete the entire query by going from left to right. Searches can be multiple letters for those with a large phone book, and while the technology may not revolutionize your life, it can certainly make mobile use quicker and more efficient than the more standard or voice-based (unreliable, usually) search options.
The application can also be used together with other phone features such as in searching music, finding bookmarks or even searching for an application itself, and is available for download for those with a sufficiently equipped phone (a more advanced touch screen and Android 2.0 or higher is required) from the Google Labs website, here. It is currently only available as an English alphabet system, so those with names in an array of alphabets will have to wait a little longer for an upgrade.
