Google adds calculator to search results

Google has added a calculator to its search results.

Google has beefed up its built-in calculator function, adding an interface with 34 buttons. When a user types a sum such as "2 + 2" or "4 x 5," they are now confronted by the visual interface shown above — previously, Google would simply spit out the answer as text. The calculator includes functions for processing sines, cosines, and tangents as well as dedicated buttons for Pi and Euler's number and once the calculator is displayed, users can also tap numbers and scientific functions to send it a new equation. The company's search box will also still work.

Prior to this addition, Google allowed users to type into its search any equation. The search engine would then spit out the answer. However, this is the first time that Google has displayed an actual calculator its users can interact with.

Google Finds Ways to Search Faster and Without Typing

Today at its ‘Inside Search’ event, Google announced several new features, including desktop support for voice search and a new mobile interface. And they’ve just shown off a new way to actually create queries: Google Search By Image.

I haven’t gotten to try it out yet, but the feature looks quite nifty. Drag an image from your desktop into the search box, and Google will attempt to identify what it is and bring up relevant results. Google showed how this could be used to identify a mountain in a snapshot, or the origins of an icon.

The final example: a JPG of the Y U NO guy, which brought up results from Know Your Meme and a variety of other sites explaining the origin of the meme.

Google says that the technology is similar to Google Goggles for mobile, but refined for the desktop experience.

The feature will roll out on images.google.com over the next few days. When you see a camera icon in the search box, that means you can use it.

There are four ways to actually add an image as your query:

• you can copy and paste the image URL.
• Upload from desktop.
• Drag and drop images from the desktop.
• Chrome and Firefox extensions.