by If you’re going to try to beat Google at its own game, you need three things: good design, quick results, and an impressive algorithm. Izik, a new iPad-only browser from relatively unknown search start-up Blekko, performs so remarkably well in all three categories that Google might want to take notice.
I was skeptical at first. Every now and again, some indie search engine threatens to knock Google off of its pedestal, only to crumble under the weight of lofty expectations. But Izik is the closest thing to a Google replacement I have ever used. Not only does it bring back speedy, accurate results, but it reimagines everything we expect from a search engine with a revolutionary, stunning design built for the multitouch generation.
The first thing you’ll notice about Izik is its interface. A big, bold search window beckons you inside, along with popular and trending topics if you’re looking for a little inspiration. As you type a query, Izik takes its three best guesses to read your mind, but the real magic begins after you hit the “search” button. Results are presented in beautiful, scrollable rows (kind of like Pulse), accompanied by images, headlines, and small blurbs of text.
But Izik doesn’t just find what you’re looking for; it also organizes everything so it’s easier to sort through. As you scroll down the page, you’ll find your query broken into specialized categories beyond the ones Google returns. Searching for “Iron Man 3,” for example, breaks the results into “video games,” “movies,” “action figures,” and “comics,” so you won’t have to click through several pages to find the right link. Websites smoothly rise up from the bottom of the screen, so your search screen won’t need to reload.
As good as Izik is, however, it doesn’t dig nearly as deep as Google, often returning a fraction of the results I expected. And since it doesn’t have a back button or a search history, I was forced to repeat previous queries when I wanted to return to them.
The bottom line. It might not have as many answers, but Izik’s good looks and smart interface are enough to put Google on notice.
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