New app brings Google Now functionality to the iPhone
2012 was a huge year for the smartphone industry and while a number of exciting new devices and services were introduced over the past 12 months, Google Now arguably stands alone at the head of the pack. By presenting users with information they need before they even think to ask for it, Google (GOOG) is driving smartphone innovation faster than any of its rivals. Thanks to a startup called Grokr, however, at least some of the awesome functionality introduced by Google Now will soon be available to iPhone users.
Grokr’s self-named app is set to hit the iOS App Store on Wednesday and with it, iPhone owners will have access to predictive information much like Android users do with Google Now. Grokr is obviously not deeply integrated into the OS like Google Now is, but it does offer a number of features previously unavailable to iPhone users.
The app uses a card-based interface similar to Google Now and like Google’s service, it learns and becomes more useful over time. It covers traffic, weather, news and plenty more, and it also factors location and search history when determining what information to present, much like Google Now.
Grokr becomes available on Wednesday for free in Apple’s (AAPL) App Store.
