Google updates Google Now with new cards, more voice actions

Google has released a new update for its search app on Android to bring new functionality to Google Now.  There are several new cards that have been added to Google Now along with new voice actions including one that allows you to post to Google+ directly.

There is another new feature, which allows you to search using your phone camera on Google Now. Just tap on “Search with camera” and voila, however the option to search from camera is a little hard to locate, but as Google has mainly built in this feature to help you at Museums or Shops, it is not your ordinary search tool.

The main focus of this update seems to be on the travel related activities with upcoming holidays.

Google states on official Android blog:

“As you head off this holiday season, the latest update to Google Now makes it even more useful for traveling. Before you even leave your house, Google Now will tell you what the weather will be like at your destination (just in time to make sure you remember to pack those mittens). At the airport, your boarding pass is automatically pulled up, helping you breeze through to the gate (launching shortly for United Airlines, with more to come). And once you’ve arrived at your destination, Google Now can help you uncover some great activities, by showing you events happening around you, suggesting websites for you to explore as you research things to do, or allowing you to learn more about specific pieces while you’re at a museum (using Google Goggles).”

The complete list of new features:

New cards:

• Events nearby
• Suggestions to help with your research
• Boarding passes from Gmail (United only, more to come)
• Search by camera when at museums or shops
• Weather at upcoming travel destinations
• Approximate monthly summary of walking and biking activity
• Birthdays

New voice actions:

• Post to Google+
• Say “What’s this song?” to find the song you hear
• Say “Scan a barcode” to find product info