Windows 8 Google Search app available for download in the Windows Store

Windows 8 Google Search app

Windows 8 only: The search giant finally starts delivering web services through the new Microsoft’s user interface. Windows 8 Google Search app has been silently released in the Windows Store with tons of goodies and hints of other possible apps coming soon such as YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Google Drive and Google+, among others.

The Google Search app offers traditional search as you will expect, but enhanced for the new modern Windows 8’s UI by adding animations to each action, ability to search by voice and via the Charms. The app also offers links to other different web applications like Gmail, Maps, YouTube and more. However, it is worth noting that these are just links, Google hasn’t yet released metro style apps for these services, which we can only assume that they are coming soon. And of course, you’ll be able to get access to Full Search History, Instant Previews and Recent Searches.

Gallery

In my opinion, what separates this new app from others Windows 8 apps in the Store is that when you launch it for the first time, you’ll be presented with a tutorial that highlights all the important features and more importantly, how to use Google Search with touch; but it also gives you a good idea how to use it with the keyboard and mouse, something we aren’t seeing in most apps.

The app is available for download now and it’s really worth trying. One last thing that caught my eyes is that when you click a link from the search results, it will open the page within the app and not in Chrome or in IE10. Which makes me think, if we’re in front of a new web browser, we’ve previously seen a version of Chrome metro style, but this isn’t it.

Features

  • Google Searchbox – Type your search right from the app home screen, so you can find the answers you need more quickly.
  • Voice Search –  Use your microphone to ask Google anything and see the answer instantly.
  • Image Search – Watch images load into a beautiful full-screen grid. Select images you like or swipe through to see more results.
  • Search Charm – By installing the Google Search app, you can easily access Google from the Search Charm.
  • Instant Previews mode – Browse search results without having to visit each page.
  • View Your Searches – Swipe from the top to see the sites you visited most recently, categorized by keyword.
  • Google Apps page – Access all your favorite Google products from within the app with just the tap of an icon.
  • Google Instant – No need to press Enter – see results instantly as you type.

Details

Supported architectures

  • x86/x64 CPUs (Windows 8)
  • ARM (Windows RT)
About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.