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Google launches Nearby, wants to make phones aware of surroundings

For several years now Google is trying to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical world by trying to show smartphone users contextual information. This the company accomplices by the Google Now. But on Thursday it launched another Android feature called Nearby which goes a step further and will bring information to smartphone users on the basis of their surroundings.
The way Nearby works is slightly hard to explain in words. But consider it as a virtual assistant that sees the world around you and then tries to guess what you want. So for example, as soon as you enter a historic landmark, the Nearby will automatically fetch an audio and prompt you. Similarly, it will see that you have entered your drawing room and automatically sync your phone to your TV in case you want to "cast" YouTube videos on it.
Nearby will be available as part of the Google Play Service which means it will be rolled out to users as an update in a phased manner.
"The Play Store offers over one million apps -- many of which are created to be used in specific locations or situations. The right app at the right moment lets you get more done," Akshay Kannan, Google's product manager for Nearby, wrote on the company website. "Getting the right apps at the right time can be tough if you don't already know about them. So, we're introducing a new Android feature called Nearby, which notifies you of things that can be helpful near you."
Google said that the Nearby will also work with relevant websites using Chrome browser's Physical Web project. For example, if a website supports the Physical Web project it will probably automatically open on a user's smartphone based on the context. Consider a restaurant website, which supports the Physical Web project. As soon as a user who has Nearby installed on his phone walks into the restaurant, the website will appear on his phone.
Although Google Now, which is already available on most Android phones, also fetches contextual information, it mostly relies on location data. The Nearby will use location data as well as other signals, including Bluetooth.

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About Anoop Chuahan

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