Google Now for iOS: Looking Back at the 2013 Leaked Preview

In March 2013, the tech world was abuzz with rumors that Google's personal assistant service, Google Now, might be expanding beyond Android to reach iOS devices. At the center of this speculation was a video that appeared to preview the iOS version of Google Now, which was hosted on Viddler.com under the ID a66cf352.

The Leaked Google Now Preview

The video, which is no longer available since Viddler ceased operations in 2022, reportedly showed Google Now running on iPhones and iPads. This created significant excitement among iOS users who were eager to access the predictive features that Android users had been enjoying.

According to sources that linked to the video, including Unlimit-Tech, the leaked footage demonstrated how Google's predictive assistant would integrate with Apple's mobile operating system. At the time, there was speculation about whether the video was an authentic preview or perhaps a sophisticated mockup.

What Was Google Now?

For those who may not remember, Google Now was a groundbreaking service that provided users with information cards based on their location, search history, and calendar events. It could predict what information users might need before they even asked for it – showing traffic conditions for your commute, upcoming flight details, or sports scores for teams you followed.

The iOS vs. Android Context

In 2013, the competition between iOS and Android was intense. Android users often pointed to Google Now as a significant advantage over Siri, Apple's voice assistant. The potential arrival of Google Now on iOS represented a possible shift in this competitive landscape.

What Actually Happened?

Following the leaked video, Google did eventually bring aspects of Google Now functionality to iOS through updates to the Google Search app in April 2013. However, the implementation had limitations compared to the Android version due to iOS platform restrictions.

Over time, Google Now evolved into what we now know as Google Assistant, which became available on iOS in 2017, while the original Google Now concept was gradually phased out.

Historical Significance

Looking back, this leaked preview represents an interesting moment in mobile technology history, highlighting the competitive dynamics between Google and Apple and foreshadowing the importance that AI assistants would come to play in the smartphone ecosystem.