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Google Inc. unveiled a $199 handheld computer called the Nexus 7 that features a 7-inch screen and is designed to help the company vie with Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. in the surging market for tablets.
Notifications has also been upgraded and will now support more content types, including images.
Google Now is a new search feature the company introduced that allows users to search with results based on location, calendar and search history. It is designed to get the user "...the right information at just the right time," said Hugo Barra, director of product management.
For example, if you search for a type of restaurant, search results will appear based on restaurants based on location, and the feature will also let you make a reservation from the results.
Google Now also uses calendar events to get the user the most helpful information, reminding users of appointments and showing users the best way to get to their appointment based on their current location.
Microsoft revealed its own tablet, the Surface, earlier this month. It was released to complement its latest operating system, Windows 8.
The iPad maker Apple also made headlines earlier this month when it announced its new operating system iOS 6 along with new hardware. The company didn't announce a new iPad, but it did introduce a new MacBook Prowith retina display.
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