Lately, a bunch of companies are coming out with ways to display search results differently or make it easier to find information, without having to navigate away from what you're doing.

I'm used to screwing around with Google until I find what I'm looking for; usually opening a dozen tabs for more specific searches. Now, for more popular (celebrities, definitions, product model numbers) or pattern based searches (addresses, phone numbers, UPS tracking numbers), it seems the trend is to bring the search results to you in a predictive manner, rather than having to think about it and search for it.

First is Kallout.com, (http://www.kallout.com) which is very interesting. If you see something you want more info about, it just highlight it, and a KallOut box pops up with their 'best guess' about what you want.

Best part is, if it's a pattern based search like an address, it will just show you a Google map. It saves you the time of opening another window or tab, and you have the information right in front of you.

Also, KallOut works outside of the browser. It works in Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Adobe Reader.

Pretty cool right? Now you don't have to even leave the program you're working in to get more information about almost anything you're searching for.

Next there's Snapshots from Snap.com. (http://www.snap.com). This service goes a step further than having to select any text and automatically finds relevant search strings within your content. It adds a little icon and with a mouseover, drills into that search bringing up a "Snapshot". The snapshots can be almost anything, stock quotes, product reviews, maps and more.

This service only works in context on the web, unlike KallOut which works on the list of Microsoft/Adobe programs.

Snapshots is really easy to install too, with one click you can have it on Blogger, Wordpress or Typepad.

The last one is Inquisitor, (http://www.inquisitorx.com). (Advanced Coverage on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2008/10/23/yahoo-inquisitor-firefox-ie). This is a search predictor with enhancements. Out of these three, this is the one that makes you think the most. You actually have to type something in your search bar to get any suggestions (seems like alot of work compared to Snap or KallOut).

Inquisitor suggests search results and search strings based on number of searches, visits etc...

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It seems that there's a movement to search faster and have the content delivered even before you think about searching for it.

I see two sides to this trend. One is that with these tools, you might limit yourself to seeing search results that the are made to show you which is usually from the most popular sources (NY Times, Twitter, Google Maps etc...). What if the exact answer you're looking for is the 3rd result in Google on a 2 year old forum? Will these tools limit finding information to only a few sources or just make it easier to find information faster?

What is interesting is they can change the connection between certain contexts - if you use these tools and contextually select, hover or start typing, "iPhone", it could bring up apple.com, the App Store, AT&T pricing plans.

What about products? If you were searching for a digital camera, will it always bring you to Amazon, or expand to serve the site with the lowest prices? Maybe they'll charge for your site to be the most contextually relevant to a search in the future.

Interesting tools out there, give them a try and see if they can save you time!

Thanks,

Anthony Latona