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Google search's new basic calculator

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Re: Google search's new basic calculator

#64
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note that the iPad doesn't ship with a calculator app. (Equally annoying, Android doesn't have a simple stopwatch/timer built in.)

Google Now has a timer built in

Sadly not, as its "timer" is actually just setting an alarm for x minutes later. That also means that you lose precision of seconds. If it's 5:22:36 and you tell it to set a timer for 10 minutes, it'll set an alarm for 5:32:00, not 5:32:36.

Re: Google search's new basic calculator

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You get a different result if you click the buttons versus performing a google search.

which I think it is exactly how I would expect it to work: If I ask a question, I expect the system to guess what I really want to know and give me an answer. But a calculator should work like a calculator.

"But a calculator should work like a calculator."

Yes, and no physical calculator I have ever seen would give 500.01 for "500 + 1%".

Re: Google search's new basic calculator

#67
Pretty cool, but why doesn't pressing equal again repeat the last step? Eg. on any decent calculator if you press:

2, x, 2, =

You get 4.

Press = again, you get 8, and so on.

As insignificant as this may seem, lack of this in a calculator is a complete showstopper problem for me.

Re: Google search's new basic calculator

#69
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can type your calculation as a google query and you'll get the result. This calculator is designed for people looking for a mouse- / touch-based UI.

I'll admit that as I'm using my laptop touch devices didn't occur to me, just tried it on my phone and actually it works really well with touch. But when on a non-touch device, even if you click on the calculator, focus remains on the search input, that seems like a massive UX failure to me.

It seems to be the correct UI choice - If you start typing, your input goes into the search field, and the calculator app is purely a mouse/touch application. Looks like a thoughtful UX choice.

Re: Google search's new basic calculator

#70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll admit that as I'm using my laptop touch devices didn't occur to me, just tried it on my phone and actually it works really well with touch. But when on a non-touch device, even if you click on the calculator, focus remains on the search input, that seems like a massive UX failure to me.

So given this new information, what percentage of a load of shit would you now say it is?

I'd say it's now a 70% load of shit. Also, thanks for the epic comment, it's not often I actually laugh out loud on HN :D
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