In another attempt to meet Wolfram Alpha head-on, Google has ushered in another “search” option: Google Squared. Squared collects unstructured data and automatically imposes a structure on it. Search results are pulled from various open sources and are organized in a spreadsheet-type format. Hovering over the cells will reveal the source.
A primary difference between Alpha and Squared is the lack of human oversight in the latter option: squares are automatically generated without human “curatorship.” Another weakness appears to be an overweening reliance on Wikipedia, with all its foibles and faults.
However, for a quick, chart-like presentation of data on a particular topic, Squared offers a nice alternative. Check out this “square” for smartphones (took about 15 seconds to generate) here. The smartphone square automatically created columns for image, description, weight, size and memory. Note that not all cells are complete – ostensibly because Squared couldn’t locate the unstructured data. I also note that generalized categories can yield results that may be too broad and require some tailoring. Familiar territory, for sure, when it comes to searching on any engine.
You can save your squares under your Google log in. You also can manually add items to Squares – good for comparison purposes.
Welcome to Google Squared, another tool to consider for inclusion in your search tool box (or bar)!
Hat tip to Resource Shelf.
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Google Squared appears to be similar to my patent application:
Frankly, I am getting a Déjà vu effect while going through the “Google Squared” application because it appears to be very similar in function to my United States patent application which was filed on April 12, 2007 and as publicly disclosed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 16, 2008, when the patent application was published.
My patent application is titled as “Method And System For Research Using Computer Based Simultaneous Comparison And Contrasting Of A Multiplicity Of Subjects Having Specific Attributes Within Specific Contexts” bearing Document Number “20080256023” and Inventor name “Nair Satheesh” which may be viewed at http://patft.uspto.gov/ upon Patent Applications: Quick Search.
Google Squared appears to be using at least some if not many of the same methods and systems as set forth by me more than two years ago in my patent application. In fact there are many more methods and systems disclosed in my patent application which I believe will help resolve certain inaccuracies found in current Google Squared application.
I have issued legal notices to Google through my Patent Attorney in the US but Google has not responded yet to any of my notices.