[Android Apps and Games] cajunflavoredbob:
READ THE FIRST TWO POSTS ENTIRELY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANYTHING. MOST ISSUES HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLVED.

This is the original Google Now version without sport team adding or stocks. This will not be updated any further. Use a Jellybean ROM if you want to see the updated features. Do not ask about updates. If you do not read these posts and ask a question which has already been answered, you will be mocked.​

Read through the entire first and second post before asking a question. By clicking the "Show Content" button below, you agree that you forfeit any right to get upset when someone makes fun of you for posting a question that has been covered. We will work tirelessly to help you solve issues when you have them. All that's asked of you in return is to at least attempt to solve them yourself by reading these first two posts.

The JellyBean update for Google Now, which includes manually adding sports teams, has not yet been ported. Please refrain from asking about this update, since all we're going to do is give you a silly answer to match the silly question.​

Requirements:

Follow the simple instructions here.

You must be on Ice Cream Sandwich.

You MUST be rooted

You must be on a deodexed ROM. If you aren't sure, ask your chef.

You should be running a custom recovery like ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM) or Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). I use CWM, so this guide is based on that.

WVGA resolution or higher. (480 x 800)

Your device must be using ARMv6 or v7 CPU architecture. If you aren't sure what that is, check this thread.

You must have a file explorer that has root permissions. I use ES File Explorer, so this guide is based on that.

You need at least 60MB of system space for the full offline installation. (30MB for online only version) If you don't know how to check, simply download Titanium Backup from the market. It tells you right on the main screen. (pic)

ARMv7 INSTRUCTIONS:

Download whichever file you want and flash it in recovery. Always be sure to make a backup just in case.

File descriptions:

Online only zip is for those of you who need to save /system space. It removes the offline voice files, so that offline voice dictation does not work. You must always have some sort of data connection for this type of zip.

Offline/Online zip is for those with no /system space restrictions. It contains the full Google Now package with offline voice dictation.

Update zip is for those who already have a version of GN installed. All it does is change your version to the one your choose without having to download a big file. If you are already on an Offline version, it will update you to the Offline version of whichever you choose. Same goes for Online versions and manual installations.

APK only is for those who have already flashed a zip. You may simply push the new apk to /system/app (overwrite or remove the previous version), set permissions to rw-r-r (0644), and reboot to enjoy the latest version of Google Now. DO NOT TRY TO INSTALL THE APK BY ITSELF.

If you aren't sure which one to use, or if this is too much information or is otherwise overwhelming for you, just flash the L4 version - Offline/Online, since it's the latest. Be sure to scroll down a bit and read about it, though.

Before doing anything, you need to make sure you have at least 60MB of free space on your /system partition for Offline/Online files and 30MB of free /system space for Online Only files. The L4 Full Zip only requires 20MB of free space.​

Easy installation:

reekotubbs created an installer/restorer that can be used to easily pick which zip you want. It also backs up relevant files for you in case you want to restore later. The thread link is below. Please ask any questions regarding this installer in his thread. [APP][4.0] Google Now for ICS Installer/Restorer [flashable Aroma Zip]

Alternately, if you aren't sure which recovery you're using, or your recovery messed up a flash, try out reekotubbs' app. It does the same thing as his aroma zip linked above, but it works through a standard Android app available for download on the Amazon app store and slide me market. As before, please ask questions about this app in his thread. GNow Handlebars

Flashable ZIPs

As per the new XDA rule on sharing, I am requesting that these zips not be shared elsewhere. I can't troubleshoot issues outside this thread, so please direct people here instead of redistributing the zips.

BY CLICKING THIS BUTTON BELOW TO SHOW THE CONTENT, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS POST AND THE NEXT ONE ENTIRELY. IF YOU HAVEN'T, AND YOU POST SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ANSWERED, YOU WILL BE MOCKED. DO NOT CLICK THE "SHOW CONTENT" BUTTON UNLESS YOU AGREE TO THIS.​

L4 - lenny_kano's version 4 - This is identical to the M7 file below, except the apk has been edited to allow you to download your own language files. This means that there is no online or offline version. Download the zip, and flash it. If you already have Google Now installed, you will need to remove it first before installing this version.

Full Zip via Mediafire - 13.06MB /Hotfile mirror

L4-Velvet.apk Only

M7 - mikeyxda's version 7. This version improves on M6 by tweaking notifications to be more accurate and frequent. This version may use more battery. If you are using a Sense ROM, see the troubleshooting below for a hack to improve Google Now performance and battery efficiency.

Online/Offline via Mediafire - 36.48MB /Hotfile mirror

Online Only via Mediafire - 14.06MB /Hotfile mirror

M7 Update - 3.97MB /Hotfile mirror

M7-Velvet.apk Only

Inverted M7 - This is identical to the M7 files from above, except the colors are inverted, so that it has a black background instead of white, and white text instead of black. If you already have Google Now flashed, you can simply perform the update to this version.

Online/Offline via Mediafire - 36.81MB /Hotfile mirror

Online Only via Mediafire - 14.04MB /Hotfile mirror

Inverted M7 Update - 4.30MB /Hotfile mirror

M7inverted-Velvet.apk Only

How to:

Move the file you picked to the root of your SD card. Don't put it in any folder. This just makes it easier to find.

Reboot your device into recovery. See your device's specific instructions on how to do this if you are not sure. Google it for a faster answer.

Backup your current ROM.

In CWM, navigate to "Install zip from SD" and select that.

Next, highlight "Choose zip from SD card" and select it.

Scroll down to the Google Now zip you loaded onto your SD card, then select it.

Scroll down and select the option that says "Yes - Install Google Now....zip"

Once it has flashed, go back to the main CWM menu and select "Reboot system now".

Launch Google Now by opening your App Drawer and selecting the Google Icon (pic), or by adding the Google Search Widget (pic) to your home screen, then doing a normal search. (pic)

Go into the settings menu for Google Now and set it up for your Google account and various other settings.

Manual Installation:

Some Recoveries do not do a good job of retaining the permissions being set by the zips. Some don't even properly flash the files. If you aren't using CWM or TWR or it seems as though Google Now hasn't been flashed properly, then please follow these steps to manually install everything.

Download the Google Now zip of your choice from above and extract the /system folder into your SD card.

Fire up ES File Explorer (or whichever one you feel like using).

If you haven't used ES File Explorer before, open it, then hit menu.

Tap settings, then scroll all the way down.

Tap the entry that says "Root Settings" and make sure everything in there is checked.(pic).

Allow root access when the dialogue box for Superuser pops up.

After that, check off "Mount file system", then back out of the menu.

Navigate to the SD card with the Google Now /system folder.

Long press on the /system folder and select "Copy" from the menu.

Navigate up to the root directory and then press the "Paste" button on your menu bar at the top. (pic)

It will ask if you want to overwrite the files. Tell it yes.

Delete GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk from /system/app or rename it to "GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk.bak"

Now we need to set permissions.

Move into /system/app and scroll down to find GoogleTTS.apk.

Long press GoogleTTS.apk and select "Properties".

Change the permissions to rw-r-r. (pic)

Scroll down and find Velvet.apk.

Long press Velvet.apk and select "Properties".

Change the permissions to rw-r-r. (pic)

Navigate to /system/usr/srec/ and find two folders named "config" and "en-US"

Tap and hold on the "config" folder icon to bring up the options menu, then scroll down to Properties.

Tap properties, then tap change and see if the check boxes match this picture.

If it matches, leave it alone and head back to your home screen to enjoy using Google Now! If it doesn't match, change it so it does.

Do the same thing for the "en-US" folder.

Launch Google Now by opening your App Drawer and selecting the Google Icon (pic), or by adding the Google Search Widget (pic) to your home screen, then doing a normal search. (pic)

Go into the settings menu for Google Now and set it up for your Google account and various other settings.

ARMv6 INSTRUCTIONS:

ARMv7 zips do not work on ARMv6 devices. If your device is ARMv6, then unfortunately, you won't receive the latest and greates Google Now updates, but you can still try it out until you get a Jellybean ROM for your device. The voice search still does not work for ARMv6. There is a workaround for it, though.

The Easy Way:

Reboot into Recovery.

Backup your ROM.

Flash this in recovery.

Enjoy.

If you want to use the voice search workaround, visit this thread and install the apk.

The Hard Way:

Back up your current ROM.

Using your favorite file explorer, navigate to system/app and rename GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk to GoogleQuickSearchBox.bak. This is now your backup file.

Download this file, and rename it to "GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk"

Move this file to your SD card if you downloaded it from your PC. Move it to /system/app using your favorite root file explorer.

Set the permissions to rw-r-r

Reboot and enjoy

If you want to use the voice search workaround, visit this thread and install the apk.

Now What?

So, you flashed Google Now. You're wondering what you can do with it, right? Well, thankfully, Killer-B has a handy little guide to get you up to speed on all the cool stuff Google Now can do as well as how to do it!

Commands & Now Cards For Google Now!!! Now Video, and custom widget

At this point, I'd suggest looking through your contact list for people with unusual, or difficult to pronounce names. Go into their contact card, and add in a nickname for them of their phonetically spelled name. Google Now has trouble parsing these unusual names, and there isn't a way to make it learn. Spelling the names like they sound allows you to send texts and place calls via Google Now without any voice issues.

Open up the red mic screen and "Do a barrel roll."

Troubleshooting

If you are having an issue with Google Now, please read this and the second post to see if it's been addressed already. Failing to do this will result in someone making fun of your inability to properly read. You have been warned.

The red mic screen won't display.

To fix this, press the normal mic within the Google Now app. While it is listening (after it beeps), press menu > refresh. Now you're at the red mic.

Google Now Force Closes.

Make sure you have enough space on your /system partition before installing this. You need at least 60MB free for the Offline versions and 30MB free for the Online versions.

My phone gets worse battery life or uses more data.

Read this post by Racer Of All and follow the directions using apktool. This is for advanced users running a Sense 4.0 ROM only. Sense 4.1 and higher is unsupported.

Sports cards aren't showing up.

It won't add teams that aren't in regular season. To add new teams, simply do a search for them. You can also backup your ICS ROM with a nandroid, flash a Jellybean ROM, manually add teams after updating apps through the market, and then restore the ICS nandroid.

My Galaxy SIII just received the new update which blocks local search, and Google Now won't work properly.

I can't open any search links!

This is a quirk in the later apks. You may need to hit the little magnifying glass icon next to the search link. This will allow you to open those links properly.

My phone exploded.

Have a muffin.

Have a question?

Please read this entire post and post #2 for solved problems before you post or you will be mocked. If your question has not been covered in either post, please feel free to describe your problem for us to help you. Here is the proper way to ask for help. Make sure to list the following things:

apk/zip FULL file name

Android version number

ROM

Recovery

UI (Sense/TW/AOKP/CM/AOSP)

/system size and free MB (example: 300MB/60MB) - Since some people don't understand this bit, just post a screenshot of the home screen of Titanium Backup.

LOGCAT or GTFO

Only after you list these things should you describe in excruciating detail what your problem is. Don't report anything that's already mentioned as not working or we'll just have a hearty laugh at your expense. :)

Back to stock:

If, for some reason, you want to remove Google Now and return to how you were before, flash the following zip. It removes all Google Now files, and returns the original Google Search app and voice files, as well as sets permissions for the Search app. Make sure to uninstall talkback and then reinstall it once you reboot to get voice search working again.

Google Now to Google Search via Mediafire- 2.02MB /Hotfile mirror

If you have a question, make sure you've read through the first two posts. If you don't, we will make fun of you.​

Please don't thank me. Find one of these guys' posts and thank them. They made it happen, not me.

reekotubbs, MikeyXda, and Lenny_kano for creating the hacked GN for ICS

homeslice976 for taking on the FAQ

Killer-B for an awesome write up of the cards and commands of GN

slickdaddy96, SinisterChedda, Kameirus, mf2112, jdcasino, Captain_Throwback, xCovErtWolFx757, UndeadSquirrel, and Naddict for troubleshooting, work-arounds, bug reports leading to fixes, and/or just making me laugh

silentstormer for handling the original OP

paxChristos for being our trusty mod

- If I missed you, let me know.

Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for the well being of your cool gadget. By using any piece of software provided here, you are agreeing that all risks fall on you and you alone. If you do not agree to this, then exercise your God-given right to not flash this. Please press CTRL+F4 or the back button to leave this thread. Also, if you ask a stupid question, or one which has already been answered, you are also held responsible for the verbal fodder you post. You will be mocked severely. I, nor anyone else posting in this thread, is to be held accountable for your actions, wording, or ensuing butthurt. Please exercise caution before posting. Read until your eyes hurt, then search until your fingernails fall off. If your question has not been previously addressed, it will be handled as quickly as possible.