Google Releases 'In Apps' Feature for Android

In the wake of the news that Apple’s upcoming iOS 10 update will offer functionality that has been available to Android users for awhile, it seemed like Andriod was leagues ahead of Apple. However, Android is playing catch-up when it comes to the ability to search phones for content, as opposed to the web. This feature is nothing new for iPhone users, who are used to Apple Spotlight. It is, though, a great new feature that will be rolling out for Android soon, thanks to Google.

“In Apps” is a new search tab, released by Google, that allows users to locate content within apps on Android phones. They announced the news, saying, “We use apps to call friends, send messages or listen to music. But sometimes, it’s hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. Today, we’re introducing a new way for you to search for information in your apps on your Android phone.”

With this new search mode, you will be able to find information that previously may have been difficult to access. For example, how many times has a friend recommended a restaurant, movie, etc. in a text message that you could not remember the name of? Few things are quite as annoying as scrolling back through all of those old messages, trying to figure out the name. Now, thanks to this new feature, you can search your contacts and messages to easily find the information.

Google also states that you will be able to:

• Listen to your favorite running song or watch that sneezing panda video for the 15th time — all in one place.
• Stay organized with your tasks and notes. Want to check off items on your grocery list? No problem, just search for [groceries].

As of now, “In Apps” works with Gmail, Spotify and YouTube. However, support for more apps— Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn, Evernote, Google Keep, Glide and Todoist—will happen in the coming months. Continuing with the good news, App search is local to your phone. So, even if you’re not connected to the Internet, you can still easily locate information.

For most Android smartphones, “In Apps” can be used by launching the Google app or by using the Google search bar widget. However, the new LG V20 phone will have a shortcut just for In App search. That means cutting out the Google app all together, making life that much easier for users. You won’t have to worry about searching Google and then looking through the results for the In Apps function. Hopefully all Android phones will adopt the “In Apps” shortcut eventually.