Have we redefined search for mobile ?

The last decade has changed the definition of search. From going to libraries and pouring over newspapers, we have reached an era where searching is also known as googling. Rightfully so.....information is now on our fingertips, its instantaneous and almost always spot on relevant! Thank You Google. You have truly organized worlds information for the web.

Fast forward to today. Mobile has changed how we look for information. Its not limited to the search box on Google or the browser from the web. Now, its all within the app/well within the context of what you are up-to. Expectations are soaring high. We not just want answers, we want them packaged so we don't need another tap. We want problems solved for us so we can use our mind-space better.

For example Facebook. Facebook has evolved from being a Friend networking platform to a lot more. Now, we can find smart deals, favorite recipes, parenting advice, news, information about next set of events... sometime even travel itinerary for our next trip! Its all there in some way, shape or form. And FB has interspersed all this so eloquently, that once you are in for a piece of information, you almost always spend 30 to 45 min on the platform meandering your way though the newsfeed. Its impressive how FB has created such powerful social groups. Social affirmation is so powerful that, information from FB Groups can be so much more relevant that what you get from the WWW.

However, this rich information creates a new challenge. There is 'soooooo-much' information in the newsfeed, and you invariably wanted to go back to something later in the day or week. The "save" feature from FB is a big boon and helps bookmark news. That said, very often, you are not sure about everything you want to come back to at first glimpse. What do you do then ? How do you search ?

For instance:
- I saw this super interesting article about incorporating STEM eduction into daily kids activities. This was last week. I want to find it again & FB has no idea what I am looking for. Can FB find the article that was a part of my newsfeed, before showing me other information ? How about showing me information from my friends/groups before showing me other things ?
- I forgot the name of this acquaintance of mine who works at XYZ company & went to abc school with me. I really want to message them. How do I look up their name ? Can I simply search "XYZ company + ABC school" ?

As FB evolves from a networking platform to so much more, their search needs to evolve to keep up with expectations. The phone is now my window to the world. I use my mobile device at-least 50X more frequently than my laptop. Searching my iphone 6 and getting relevant information at my fingertips is still a far far dream. Here I am looking for a note that I typed last week about the best brand for baby mittens. I typed this in a hurry when a friend spelt out the name over a phone call. Can I find this note without having to pour through all my apps/notes?

Quality of search or information retrieval needs to be high everywhere. It all starts with the phone/tablet itself. Then its the individual app you are perusing. Top places where we spend our time - email, social networking, shopping, news. While Google succeeded in channeling search on web with the toolbar, how can search experience be the best across every point of entry on mobile ?

Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year! Every new year is exciting. It brings a whole new series of yearly celebrations. Birthdays, festivals, anniversaries..there is so much to look forward to. After all, isn't life about those precious moments spent with and for loved ones :)

We have been living in San Francisco the last four years. Every year, we look forward to the NYE fireworks right by embarcadero. My little one is now a 3 year old. Its her first fireworks show and I have been waiting to share this special event with her. New Years eve is not the same anymore though. The television was buzzing with news about beefed up security in all of Europe, fire in a top 5 star hotel in Dubai. Fear of terror and simply the fear of unknown is top of mind for most people. Its really sad that this is the world that our children are growing up in. They need to grow up in a secure world. No matter which economic class you belong to or where you live, living without fear is a fundamental right, more so a need!

As we walked to embarcadero to witness the SF fireworks, all these thoughts were buzzing through my mind. We did not change our mind, we did not stay at home, we simply decided to be a part of the excited crowd waiting to see the lights. It was a very special show, the best I have witnessed in the last couple of years! Soon the crowd, the cheer and the happiness of the people around me took over and we really enjoyed the show.

I wish and pray for a safer world. A world where our children can live without fear or doubt. A world full of love and compassion. Amen!