Kiss: In App Search feature

[cfytrok]

It would be great, if you add in app search like Google app do. I switched to Android from iOS and I really lack this feature. IOS's Spotlight can search in content of apps. For example it find's exact Spreadsheets in Google Spreadsheets app. Google has same feature called "In App" search. but it's very hard to use it.
Is it possible to implement this feature?

[Neamar]

Hello!

It's probably doable, but requires a lot of permission and more importantly, would make search relatively slower.

In addition, I think Internet access would be required, and so far we're trying really hard to keep KISS free of this permission, as it's a very good proof that KISS respects your privacy and doesn't send anything over the Internet. (not sure, as maybe you can just piggyback on other apps Internet permission)

[licaon-kter]

In installed apps? Why would that need internet access?

[Neamar]

Most apps that implement in-app search have their database on the Internet. For instance, IMDB has in-app search, and it goes over the Internet as the list of all movies isn't available locally.

[licaon-kter]

Custom search provider what?

So it's not in-app then? Not sure why would that be called like that then...

[ramack]

But isn't it under responsibility of that app, whether it uses Internet or not? I would also like to have access to app content directly from KISS. I am not sure which of my installed apps provide a "in-app-search" feature at all, but I could imagine, that KISS handles those searches like "Search Google for..." or even better to explicitly tell KISS which apps to query directly. Maybe every 10th click on "Search APPLICATION_X for ..." ask the user whether APPLICATION_X should be instantly included in the search.

[AtomAntReturns]

@cfytrok: Try "Wheredat". It's the closest thing to iOS Spotlight on Android. Lets you search within apps !

@Neamar: Please keep KISS the way it is... I mean, I can understand performance and theme enhancements, but too many bells and whistles can make the app more complex and bloated. KISS is amazing the way it is - Simple and Stupid !

[ramack]

@AtomAntReturns Wheredat promises a lot, but it is not free, neither as in "free beer" nor as in "free software". Why should we trust this app to not spy us? How can you give a closed source proprietary product access to ALL your data?

KISS is great and I hope @Neamar doesn't accept proposals degrading the performance relevantly, but I believe it can be implemented without a big influence on users not interested in this, while providing this functionality to those who are interested. The small footprint in terms of size of KISS is great, but in my eyes it would not do relevant harm if the apk size would double.

[amkcpu]

Actually, with quite some apps it is possible to search them via URLs, with the apps opening directly. This way, you only need to add the relevant search provider. Some examples (simply copy and paste them while adding the search provider):

• Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/search/%s
• Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%s
• Google Play Store: http://play.google.com/store/search?q=%s
• Open WhatsApp chat using number: https://wa.me/%s (but be sure to read the explanation on number formatting here first)
• Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/search?q=%s
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s

One could think about adding these links to KISS' default list of search providers so it's easier for users to find (and use them).

[Neamar]

Closing for inactivity,

URL search is a good workaround.