Google has released a new app called Field Trip that aims to provide users with a "guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things" in the world around them.The app works unprompted and responds even when users have not asked for the information.
Field Trip runs in the background on a device and provides notifications whenever there's something interesting in the user's vicinity. Once near such a landmark, the app pops up a card with the location's details. Moreover, the app can also read out the info to the user, provided a headset or Bluetooth is connected to the device.
The app also provides historical details about a simple park, architectural know-how about a building, and even reviews of a nearby restaurant. According to Google, the app is akin to having a local friend who guides the user through the city.
"The idea behind the app was to build something that would help people connect with the real, physical world around them," John Hanke from Google told The New York Times. "It's always running in the background, so it knows where you are and is always looking to see if something interesting is in your immediate physical environment."
Field Trip generates information from a host of sources, which include publications and services like Thrillist, the Food Network, Zagat, Cool Hunting, Atlas Obscura, and Songkick. Later, these services, along with Google's own data, get filtered into seven different categories - architecture, historic places and events, lifestyle, offers, food and drink, cool and unique, and outdoor art.
A different color represents each category and users can easily select their areas of interest and the ones for which they would like to receive notifications.
Users can also choose from three different modes to set up the frequency of Field Trip notifications. The information can be generated from Field Trip worthy places on a map, by tapping on cards in map view to pull up riveting points of interest.
What's more, the app can also detect when the user is driving and takes note to automatically speak on the interesting places that can be found nearby. The option to share the discoveries via e-mail and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus also exist.
The app, per reports, is currently supported on Android only and is only available in the U.S., and the company is planning to introduce the same on iOS. Nonetheless, no information is available as to when the app will arrive on Apple-based devices. The company is also working on the international version of the app.