[APP] Google Now APK/ZIP for ICS [ARMv7]

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Requirements:

1. Follow the simple instructions here.
2. You must be on Ice Cream Sandwich.
3. You MUST be rooted
4. You must be on a deodexed ROM. If you aren't sure, ask your chef.
5. You should be running a custom recovery like ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM) or Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). I use CWM, so this guide is based on that.
6. Your device must be using ARMv6 or v7 CPU architecture. If you aren't sure what that is, check this thread.
7. You must have a file explorer that has root permissions. I use ES File Explorer, so this guide is based on that.
8. You need at least 60MB of system space for the full offline installation. (30MB for online only version) If you don't know how to check, simply download Titanium Backup from the market. It tells you right on the main screen.

ARMv7 INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Download whichever file you want and flash it in recovery.
2. File descriptions:

• • Online only zip is for those of you who need to save /system space. It removes the offline voice files, so that offline voice dictation does not work. You must always have some sort of data connection for this type of zip.
  • Offline/Online zip is for those with no /system space restrictions. It contains the full Google Now package with offline voice dictation.
  • APK only is for those who have already flashed a zip. You may simply push the new apk to /system/app (overwrite or remove the previous version), set permissions to rw-r-r (0644), and reboot to enjoy the latest version of Google Now. DO NOT TRY TO INSTALL THE APK BY ITSELF.

If you aren't sure which one to use, or if this is too much information or is otherwise overwhelming for you, just flash the M7 version - Offline/Online, since it's the latest. Be sure to scroll down a bit and read about it, though.

Before doing anything, you need to make sure you have at least 60MB of free space on your /system partition for Offline/Online files and 30MB of free /system space for Online Only files.

Flashable Zips:

 

• M7 - mikeyxda's version 7. This version improves on M6 by tweaking notifications to be more accurate and frequent. This version may use more battery. If you are using a Sense ROM, see the troubleshooting below for a hack to improve Google Now performance and battery efficiency.

• Online/Offline via Mediafire - 36.48MB /Hotfile mirror
• Online Only via Mediafire - 14.06MB /Hotfile mirror
• M7-Velvet.apk Only

• M6 - Mikeyxda's version 6. This version has improved on the previous one by fixing the double take problem, typed searches are working, auto launch is fixed, as well as the following fixes from the previous version: Red mic with cards showing with no refresh needed, no FCs, offline dictation, and no stretched words. These zips all use zipalligned apks.

• Offline/Online via Mediafire - 36.43MB /Hotfile mirror
• Online only via Mediafire - 14.01MB /Hotfile mirror
• M6-Velvet.apk Only

• R3 - "Nearly there" version by ReekoTubbs. This version has the Red mic with cards showing with no refresh needed, no double take, no FCs, offline dictation, auto-launch, no blank screen, and no stretched words. These zips all use zipalligned apks.

• Offline/Online via Mediafire - 36.48MB /Hotfile mirror
• Online only via Mediafire - 14.07MB/Hotfile mirror
• R3-Velvet.apk Only

How to:

• Move the file you picked to the root of your SD card. Don't put it in any folder. This just makes it easier to find.
• Reboot your device into recovery. See your device's specific instructions on how to do this if you are not sure. Google it for a faster answer.
• In CWM, navigate to "Install zip from SD" and select that.
• Next, highlight "Choose zip from SD card" and select it.
• Scroll down to the Google Now zip you loaded onto your SD card, then select it.
• Scroll down and select the option that says "Yes - Install Google Now....zip"
• Once it has flashed, go back to the main CWM menu and select "Reboot system now".

Double Checking:
Some Recoveries do not do a good job of retaining the permissions being set by the zips. If you aren't using CWM or TWRP, then please follow these steps to ensure that everything is as it should be.

 

• Let the ROM boot all the way, then fire up ES File Explorer (or whichever one you feel like using). We need to make sure a few permissions stuck (just in case).
• If you haven't used ES File Explorer before, open it, then hit menu.

1. Tap settings, then scroll all the way down.
2. Check the box that says "Up to Root" (pic).
3. Then check the box that says "Root Explorer"
4. Allow root access when the dialogue box for Superuser pops up.
5. After that, check off "Mount file system", then back out of the menu. (pic)

• Navigate to /system/usr/srec/ and find two folders named "config" and "en-US"
• Tap and hold on the "config" folder icon to bring up the options menu, then scroll down to Properties.
• Tap properties, then tap change and see if the check boxes match this picture.
• If it matches, leave it alone and head back to your home screen to enjoy using Google Now! If it doesn't match, change it so it does.
• Do the same thing for the "en-US" folder.
• Go into the settings menu for Google Now and set it up for your Google account and various other settings.

Now What?

1. So, you flashed Google Now. You're wondering what you can do with it, right? Well, thankfully, Killer-B has a handy little guide to get you up to speed on all the cool stuff Google Now can do as well as how to do it!
   Commands & Now Cards For Google Now!!! Now Video, and custom widget
2. At this point, I'd suggest looking through your contact list for people with unusual, or difficult to pronounce names. Go into their contact card, and add in a nickname for them of their phonetically spelled name. Google Now has trouble parsing these unusual names, and their isn't a way to make it learn. Spelling the names like they sound allows you to send texts and place calls via Google Now without any voice issues.
3. Open up the red mic screen and "Do a barrel roll."

Troubleshooting:
If you are having an issue with Google Now, please refer to the thread originally created by cajunflavoredbob here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...77&postcount=1

 

1. The red mic screen won't display.

• • To fix this, press the normal mic within the Google Now app. While it is listening (after it beeps), press menu > refresh. Now you're at the red mic.

1. Google Now Force Closes.

• • Make sure you have enough space on your /system partition before installing this. You need at least 60MB free for the Offline versions and 30MB free for the Online versions.
    

    Originally Posted by lenny_kano
    About the permission denied fc, I'm guessing the users with the issue have an old gmail? Try updating or using tsjoklats patched one and the note to self fc will go away. See what logs do?
    
    Oh and just to explain, the old gmail allows stuff based on signature, so as this apk is resigned it will not be allowed. The new gmail marks it as dangerous and will create a notification for you to allow permission, or the patched one marks it as normal and allows it silently.

1. My phone gets worse battery life or uses more data.

• • Read this post by Racer Of All and follow the directions using apktool. This is for advanced users running a Sense ROM only.

1. Sports cards aren't showing up.

• • It won't add teams that aren't in season. American football is currently in preseason. Baseball, however, works perfectly fine.

1. I want Google Now in another language than US English.

• • From the Google Now home screen with the cards, tap Menu, then Settings. Tap Voice, then Language and select the language you want recognized. The text of Google Now in searches and regular cards should mirror that of your system language.

1. My Galaxy SIII just received the new update which blocks local search, and Google Now won't work properly.

• • Originally Posted by ashshlay
    This following post only applies currently to the stock rooted LH2 rom for the Galaxy S III TMO and Google Now installation.
    
    The Samsung Kies update that removed the universal search function won't allow this to install via regular methods.
    
    All files are on the device with the correct permissions except because of the different search apk (GoogleQuickSearchBox_USA.apk) the method mentioned in the OP won't work until you delete the _USA part of the file and then reboot into recovery and reflash following the OP instructions.

1. I can't open any search links!

• • This is a quirk in the later apks. You may need to hit the little magnifying glass icon next to the search link. This will allow you to open those links properly.

1. My phone exploded.

• • Have a muffin.

Questions see cajunflavoredbob's thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...77&postcount=1

Want to go back to stock?

If, for some reason, you want to remove Google Now and return to how you were before, flash the following zip. It removes all Google Now files, and returns the original Google Search app and voice files, as well as sets permissions for the Search app. Make sure to uninstall talkback and then reinstall it once you reboot to get voice search working again.

• Google Now to Google Search via Mediafire- 629.35KB /Hotfile mirror

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Credit where credit is due:
cajunflavoredbob ----- I'm pulling all this from his original thread -----
mikeyxda ----- APKs -----

Works for text but voice, yet. Many thanks.

Works on ParanoidAndroid
Attachment 1175418
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Munching on Ice Cream with Sky ICS/UCLF5 and XDA Premium

I'll play with it later on.

Originally Posted by mimart7

I'll play with it later on.

Yeah I'm having the same issues with voice as well

Munching on Ice Cream with Sky ICS/UCLF5 and XDA Premium

Originally Posted by MokujinX5

Yeah I'm having the same issues with voice as well

Munching on Ice Cream with Sky ICS/UCLF5 and XDA Premium

there is no voice anywhere atm

Doesn't work on Galaxy Note with Paranoid latest Version.
No speech recognition, no network connection :(

Originally Posted by chrizzzzly

Doesn't work on Galaxy Note with Paranoid latest Version.
No speech recognition, no network connection :(

Yeah speech recognition doesn't work, but the cards do

Munching on Ice Cream with PARANOIDANDROID and XDA Premium

Originally Posted by MokujinX5

Yeah speech recognition doesn't work, but the cards do

Munching on Ice Cream with PARANOIDANDROID and XDA Premium

Cards dosen't work for me because i get "Network error".

Originally Posted by chrizzzzly

Cards dosen't work for me because i get "Network error".

Try clearing the app cache first - let me know if that works

**Updated Original Post**