Google Suggest universal search tools come to mobile

Google announced that universal search features included in the desktop version of its Google Suggest predictive query solution are now available on mobile devices, promising more efficient access to information on the go. "For example, let's say you're flying to London and want to know: Is my flight on time? Or what is the exchange rate of the pound?" writes Google Mobile engineer Toshi Tajima on the Official Google Mobile Blog. "As you type the flight 'Ba 284' or 'Usd in pounds,' the answers are provided right below the search box, without having to wait for the results page. Other searches that show answers include weather (e.g., 'weather london'), stock quotes (e.g., 'intc'), current time (e.g., 'time london'), calculator (e.g. '29*37') and unit conversion (e.g., '220 miles in km')."

Tajima adds that Google Suggest functionality is currently supported on Android-powered smartphones, iPhones and iPods, and devices running Palm's webOS. For now, the service is only available in the U.S.

For more on the Google Suggest upgrade:
- read this Official Google Mobile Blog entry

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