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Google Revamps iPhone Interface


Google's iPhone home screen makes services such as Gmail, Calendar, and Reader more accessible through the use of Ajax menu tabs.



In another of many recent mobile-oriented announcements, Google on Wednesday rolled out a new interface that provides iPhone users with a more intuitive way to access Google's online services.

In a blog post, Steve Kanefsky, a software engineer for Google's mobile team, explains that he began to redesign Google's home page for iPhone users after the iPhone launched to make better use of its touch screen, Wi-Fi, and Safari browser.

"I started thinking about how to use Ajax technology to improve Google on the iPhone," Kanefsky said. "I set out to create an application that would preload my favorite Google products and allow me to switch between them instantly. I wanted Web results as well as image, local, and news results without having to repeat my search. I wanted to check Gmail and my news feeds in Google Reader without having to load a new page every time. I also wanted Google Suggest to save me time typing queries on the virtual keyboard."

Following internal testing at Google, the new interface now appears to iPhone users who visit google.com.

Beyond a design better suited to the iPhone's screen, the new interface makes Google services like Gmail, Calendar, and Reader more accessible and responsive through the use of Ajax menu tabs.

There's also a More tab that leads to other Google services such as Docs, GOOG-411, SMS, News, Photos, Blogger, and Notebook.

Judging by the supportive nature of the comments posted on the Official Google Mobile Blog about the new changes, the net result of the redesign appears likely to be happier users and greater use of Google services through mobile phones.


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