Google today announced some enhancements to its mobile search pages to make it easier to find nearby places as well as build more complex queries.
As mobile devices have become more powerful and connected to faster networks, smartphone users are doing a surprisingly diverse set of search tasks — from simple lookups, to tasks that involve multiple complex searches.
On the mobile homepage, Google has added a number of new icon shortcuts to commonly search local categories like restaurants, coffee shops, and bars based on your current location. The results page now features a map with markers for your current location and places around you. The map adjusts automatically to the listing you are looking at as you scroll through the results.
Google has also made it easier to build complex queries. You can now add suggested phrases to the search box and “build’ your search one piece at a time.
These new mobile features are now available on www.google.com on Android (version 2.2+) and iOS (version 4.0+).