Do you use Google Now?  Do you wish that your apps were Google Now aware?  Earlier this year Google announced a list of companies it partnered with to grow Google Now outside of core Google apps. The list of companies involved is huge but it is not inclusive. If you use Pandora or Lyft it’s great. What if Lyft isn’t available in your area?  What if you’re a Spotify customer?  Today an announcement at SXSW by Aparna Chennapragada, Director of Product Management for Google Now, was made making full third party Google Now integration a reality. The pilot program is expanding and will include a full open API that app developers can use to tie into Google Now directly.
One of the biggest gains with this announcement has to do with the Android notification shade. More information displaying as Google Now cards means more space opened up in the notification area. The per app cards will be shown based on app usage patterns along with Google’s own special Now sauce. As of now, no major timeline for the API’s release has been scheduled. It is, however, on its way.
