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Google Now will eventually be able to accept information from all third party apps, it's been revealed.
Google's smart tool currently provides helpful information based on the user's preferences and contextual situation, but the source of its information should expand considerably over time.
Speaking at a recent SXSW session, Google's Aparna Chennapragada confirmed that third party app support was coming to Google Now.
At present, Google Now incorporates Google's own apps plus 40 third party apps that are part of a pilot programme. However, Google plans to release an open Google Now API that will allow any third party app developer to have their service featured on Google's smart assistant.
Of course, that raises the question of how Google Now will handle duplicate information from multiple similar or overlapping apps. In response to a question on this, Chennapragada revealed that Google Now would select its sources based on app usage patterns.
No time line was provided on when this open API might be provided to app developers, but it provides a valuable insight on the direction Google Now is heading.
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As The Next Web reports, Chennapragada also spoke about how the team selected which information Google Now should provide. It's a mixture of users surveys and personal experiences.
In terms of the latter, a visit to Disneyland led Chennapragada to push development on a theme park ride queue time tool for Google Now.
Also, expect to see more of Google's personality coming through in Google Now in the shape of Easter eggs.
