Google Now gets transport reminders and flight cards

By Joshua Levenson

Google is in the process of quietly rolling out a server-side update for its official Search application via the Play Store. Once updated, users will be able to receive train and bus reminders from their Gmail reservations. They will also notice that flight cards now produce information about alternative travel measures when delays occur.

No configuration is necessary in order to register for this service. Google has the facility to generate bus, train and flight-based cards by scanning through emails in user’s Gmail inboxes and picking out the relevant information needed. It then condenses this data and displays it in a card, which is housed in the Search application — otherwise known as Google Now.

This new feature appears to be working on all Jelly Bean (4.1.-4.3) and KitKat (4.4-4.4.2) smartphones and tablets currently located in the U.S. and the U.K. However, it’s expected that compatibility will expand to some Asian and European countries within the next couple of weeks.

The update is now live and has been rolled out via Google’s private Android servers.