Google has redesigned its mobile search page for Android and iOS. Google has a long track record of basically just showing you a big search box and nothing else on the front page, but now if you enable local search on your mobile browser you’ll also find a few icons along the bottom of the screen for restaurants, coffee and bars. There’s also a “more”icon which provides even more links for quick local searches.
Clicking any of these icons brings up a map with a list of markers for places that match your query. You can scroll through the search results while the map stays at the top showing your current location and the spot where the the business, ATM, park, or other item is located.
Google is also making it easier to use suggestions in the search bar to shorten the amount of time it takes to conduct a search. Just hit the new + icon to use the first word Google suggests as your new starting point. You can do this as many times as you like until “best” becomes “best places to find ice cream on a Saturday morning in New York City.” You know, or something like that.
The new features support Android 2.2 and up and iOS 4.0 and up.
