If you haven’t tried  Google app’s new “tappable shortcuts,” pull out your iPhone or Android and on the Google app (or on a mobile browser, Google.com), you’ll discover lots of little icons that you can tap to reach a wide array of tools and answers. While there are far more icons today on the Android app, there’s enough on the iOS version to get the idea. Click on the video below and you’ll see how the tap shortcuts work.


The shortcuts appear on the home screen and provide “taps” to small businesses like nearby restaurants, shops, and bars. You can tap for entertainment suggestions and weather. If you’re staying home tonight, there’s a shortcut for what’s on TV tonight.

Android users have an even more robust selection of tap shortcuts. Translation help, nearby attractions, flights, hotels, internet speed test, currency converter, and more. It also has shortcuts to games like tic-tac-toe and solitaire. Even tapping fun for the younger set: farm animal sounds. Google says it will add more taps with updates to the apps.

Observation: Tappable shortcuts are a little like voice commands (Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, OK Google) as the tapping interface is yet another way to interact with web-enabled technology that has no keyboards.


Recommendation: If you own a shop or restaurant, try out the shortcuts to see how a customer will be tapping to find you.


 

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