Google saves searches across devices with 'recent' icon

Google announced today that people's searches can be saved via Google.com across several devices using a new "recent" icon. This new software aims to help people who search for a restaurant, shop, or other information on their computer to see that same search on their smartphone or any other Web-ready device.

"We provide this new convenience feature for users who have Web History enabled and are logged into Google when doing their search," Google software engineer Junichi Uekawa wrote in a blog post today. "Next time you are heading to a place you have recently searched for, no need to worry if you can't remember the address or phone number."

This type of cross-device unification fits right in with Google's new privacy policy, announced in January, which gives the company explicit rights to "combine personal information" across multiple products and services. Some users applauded the move to create a more user-friendly service, while others claimed it was akin to Big Brother surveillance.

Uekawa said that the search information saved with the "recent" icon should be available to users for about 24 hours. The way this software works is when users search for something on one device, then (with another gadget) click on the "recent" icon--located on Google.com's homepage--they can see the information about the previous search.

"Calling, getting directions or seeing details about the places you just searched for is now only one tap away," Uekawa wrote.