Notif, one of our favorite apps of the last year because of its simple yet powerful note taking abilities, that we’ve already written up a couple of times, received a new feature last night thanks to a recent update. In Google Voice Search, as you tell Google to begin a “note to self…,” Notif (pro version only) will show up as one of the options after you have spoken your note. Should you choose Notif, your spoken note will then appear as all Notifs do, in the notification bar until you swipe it away. 

We haven’t posted a DROID commercial in a while, but a new clip for the RAZR MAXX HD surfaced this morning looking more like the original DROID campaign than anything we have seen in some time, and thought we’d share. Plus, anything is better than the desert bedroom explosion spot, right? Not sure this fully redeems the DROID brand after that ridiculousness, but it can’t hurt.

In this spot, instead of selling the new powerful Google Voice Search, Verizon has decided to brand it with their own term called, “DROID recognition.” Yes, that’s a silly word play on the phrase “voice recognition.” Come on, we should be able to do better than this.

Today, Google announced a brand new trial for their Gmail users. Starting now, users can opt in to a Search Field Trial, which brings all of your personal data right into your Google search bar and end results. For example, much like Google Now, when you have important info such as shipping information or flight information, you can search for these personal things right through Google’s search box and even through their main Google search site, as long as you’re signed into your account. 

I think we can all agree that Google Now is nothing short of amazing, right? It continues to learn from our Google searches, so that it can recommend everything from travel routes to nearby photo spots. But one thing it also does well, is suggest topics that you may be researching, through the Research card. 

Yesterday’s update to Google Now continues to surprise us with fun-filled tweaks. The latest, is the displaying of Google Doodles in the top area that is normally reserved for your location and the time of day. In today’s doodle, being Valentine’s Day and all, we get the Ferris Wheel of love. The doodle isn’t exactly interactive like the version you’ll find on google.com, but you can still click on it to learn the history of the Ferris Wheel, which was created by George Ferris.

Think we’ll see more doodles going forward? I hope so.

Cheers EC8CH, Michael, blakjakdavy, Chris, Brian, and Andrew!

We’re still diving into the latest Google Now update, as Google tends to slip in features here and there that it doesn’t necessarily list in the changelog. One of those being more control over the traffic card. In past versions, the traffic card would appear before you took off on your daily commute or oft-traveled locations, however, there wasn’t much control over it. In today’s update, that changes for the better. 

In today’s Google Search update that was just released, we are seeing a major update in terms of Google Now cards. The update introduced real estate cards in a variety of forms, Fandango movie pass support, and Rotten Tomatoes scores in movie listings. We have examples of all of the new cards for you below, something we try to do with each update. 

Moments ago, Google pushed an update out to Google Search in Google Play, bringing some slick new features that we have been talking about over the past couple of days. Google Now widget, anyone? On top of an all new widget that can be placed on either your homescreen or lockscreen, movie rating are pulled from Rotten Tomatoes, there are movie passes from Fandango, and even real estate listings from Zillow.