Google Instant — which previews the results of search queries as you type — is either a godsend or a massive nuisance, depending on your point of view. Google has tweaked its settings options so you can now set Instant to disable itself on slower machines, or switch it off altogether.
Say what you want about Google Instant, but it’s got some pretty awesome keyboard shortcuts. Google-centric blog Google Operating System lets us know of one more: Just hit Escape to move back up to the search box and type a new query.
If you like Google Instant sometimes, but want to turn it off for some searches, reader lastlifelost shows us how to do so using Firefox and Chrome’s custom search engines.
Google has been making constant tweaks to its search service since rolling out Google Instant, and a common justification for each change is that it can save you even more time when searching. I’m all for making search services faster and better, but when we’ve reached the point where we’re talking about saving a single second in the process, I fear we’ve lost track of how people actually work.
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http://www.youtube.com/v/SCO02G7NXIE&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1","customParams":[] ,"width":500,"height":306.25,"ratio":0.615,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube","wrap":true,"agegate":false} ); Firefox only: It’s not exactly Google Instant for Firefox, but InstantFirefox is pretty darned close. The Firefox add-on searches your address bar typing instantly on a customised Google page. While its looks are different, the results stay (mostly) the same.
As promised some weeks ago, Google has begun rolling out its Google Instant search-as-you-type option on the google.com.au domain. As with most Google rollouts, it may take a little time to appear on your machine, though there are tricks you can use to speed up the process such as clearing your cookies. When it does appear, make sure you master the Google Instant keyboard shortcuts for maximum effectiveness. [Google Australia Blog]
If you’re keen on the as-you-type search results you get from Google Instant, you’ll really like Instant integrated with Chrome’s omnibox. Just launch your beta/dev/canary release, type about:labs, enable Instant, restart Chrome and prepare for some interesting browsing.
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http://www.youtube.com/v/NZymAnGvqK4&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1","customParams":[] ,"width":570,"height":360,"ratio":0.615,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube","wrap":true,"agegate":false} );
When they rolled out Google Instant earlier this month, Google had already included several great shortcuts that sped up your queries. Today they’re adding new navigation shortcuts for moving through search results after you’ve finished your query.
Been trying to access Google Instant from Australia and not having any luck? If you’ve tested all the standard fixes, clearing the cookies in your browser might do the trick.
The release of Google Instant has led to a flurry of development on other instant-search projects. Instantise gathers instant-search tools together under a single umbrella to showcase them and provide easy access.
