Google has unveiled two new tools to make searching the web for information and images easier.
Both of the new tools - Google News Timeline and Image Search - come out of Google Labs, which was designed to let users try out new features and tools as they are developed and then comment on them.
According to a blog posted by Andy Hertzfeld, a Google software engineer, Google News Timeline lets users organise results from Google News and other sources in new ways. The tool lets users pull in news results from current sources as well as from archived blogs, newspapers, magazines and even movies and music, Google said.
Users can set a time scale to get results from a specific number of days, weeks, years or decades. The scale can also be set to bring in results only from a particular year.
Essentially, the company said, it's a zoomable, graphical timeline of information. Similarly, the new Similar Images tool can be used to more easily find images that might be difficult to put into words for a regular search.
"Using visual similarity, you don't have to refine the text of your search, instead, you can just click on the link of an image you like," said Chuck Rosenberg, a member of the Similar Images development team.
"For example, if you search for jaguar, you can use the 'Similar images' link to quickly narrow your search to the cat or the famous British car manufacturer. You might try exploring the pyramids of Egypt or discovering the Forbidden City. Or you might go shopping for an evening dress or that perfect pair of shoes. So if you see an image you like, but you're stumped on how to describe it, just click the Similar Images link to see more like it."
In the last several months, Google has been focused on adding new features and tools to its products.
In February, the company unveiled an upgrade to Google Mapsthat allows people to track the exact location of friends or family through their mobile devices. Google Latitude not only shows the location of friends, but it can also be used to contact them via SMS, Google Talk or Gmail.
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