5 changes I'd like in Google Now

Google Now is an intriguing addition to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, because it not only responds to spoken queries but tries to anticipate info you want before you have to ask. Now is still in its early stages, and I expect Google is working to improve its capabilities. Here are 5 things I'd like to see them add:

A "Don't include in my Google Now profile" button on Google Search. If a colleague at work gets a new dog, I might look up the breed on Google; but that doesn't mean I've got a long-term interest in Afghan hounds. I'm starting to do some of those casual searches on Bing or Yahoo so as not to clutter my Google profile. A "don't include in my Google profile" search button would help.

More editing of Google Now cards. I realize the whole idea of Google Now is to know in advance what I want without me having to explain, but sometimes a little direct input can be useful. For example, Google Now isn't always able to tell if I'm away for the weekend or just for a day; if I'm spending a few days in the mountains or at the coast, I really don't want to see information about my route home shortly after I arrive. It would be nice to be able to quickly choose "postpone card for X days." Google Now already lets you edit the teams you want in your sports cards; more such options would be useful.

Launching apps. If the Speaktoit Assistant can open apps for me, why can't Google Now?

Improved calendar management. Google can set an alarm on my device; but unike Siri, it's not able to add or move appointments. It can't even answer questions such as "Check my calendar for Saturday," which Assistant does now. Instead, I've got to wait for the "next appointment" card to appear; but I'm not able to see any appointments after that. In addition to answering "Is it going to rain tomorrow?" Google Now should be able to tell me "Do I have any appointments tomorrow?"

Work with third-party apps. If I've already entered a flight into an app such as FlightTrack or TripIt, why should I have to search for it on Google in order to have it appear on a Google Now card? Offering an API for third-party app integration could help turn Google Now from a useful but limited application into my mobile device's personal information hub.

Have other features you'd like to see in Google Now? Leave in the comments below.

Want more on Google Now? Check out:

Siri vs. Google Now video faceoff

Google Now revisited: One month with Android's new secret weapon by JR Raphael

Sharon Machlis is online managing editor at Computerworld. You can follow her on Twitter @sharon000, on Google+ and on Facebook.