Yahoo Aviate Launcher v3.0 Adds Google Now-Like 'Smart Stream' Feature

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer in the company's earning call in April hinted that the firm might compete with voice-based virtual assistants such as Microsoft's Cortana, Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now in the future with its own search-based mobile offering. The firm seems to have taken the first steps down that track as it has introduced a new feature called 'Smart Stream' in its Aviate launcher app on Tuesday.

The Smart Stream feature takes place of 'Spaces' in the Aviate launcher and seems to offers 'cards' in a way that's very similar to Google Now. The feature, as per the firm, is said to gather relevant information and show it based on the user's location, preferences, and what they are doing. The feature surfaces information on restaurants and live scores in cards, and also brings music-related apps upfront when headphones are plugged in among other functions. Smart Stream can be accessed by swiping left from the home screen, just like in the case of the Google Now Launcher.

Spaces had formerly shown apps and settings based on the user's location, preferences, and time of day. The auto-categorised apps and quick contact card remain unchanged and can still be access by swiping right and up respectively like before. Also, users can view the wallpaper behind the app collections now. The previous version had a solid background.

"If there's ever a specific card you're looking for, you can always access it with the Focus menu, located in the search bar on your home screen," adds Paul Montoy-Wilson, Product Manager and Co-Founder of Yahoo Aviate, on the company blog post.

The version 3.0 of the launcher app is available to download from Google Play. The app listing page however is full of negative reviews about the update. "I used to love Aviate but this most recent update has ruined it. What have you done with Spaces? The single best feature of Aviate - gone!," stated a user in the review section.