Wikipedia’s cell app is the remedy for my Google frustrations

Last night time, I used to be casually questioning (as you do) which songs from Scottish digital duo Boards of Canada’s seminal debut album, Music Has the Right to Children, use audio samples from Sesame Street? It’s the type of idle fact-checking that people within the twenty first century are blessed to take pleasure in, and so (as you do), I whipped out my smartphone to Google it.

Thirty seconds later, I received so irritated, I downloaded the Wikipedia app as an alternative.

The drawback I confronted just isn’t a brand new one. Many individuals have famous the slow degradation of Google’s search in recent times, partly a results of macro modifications to the net’s construction and partly Google’s personal fault for relentlessly privileging its personal adverts and companies. And on this specific case, once I looked for the album in query, I needed to scroll previous the next:

Only then did I attain the consequence I wished: Wikipedia itself. (Turns out that Sesame Street samples are used on a number of tracks together with “The Color of the Fire” and “Aquarius.” Neat!)

I do know, I do know. This is hardly an arduous journey or an vital drawback. But in my infinite privilege and petulant need for frictionless entry to trivia, this little scrolling mission riled me up mightily. In truth, it received me pondering: why the hell am I Googling these items anyway? If half of my Google searches on cell are simply Wikipedia lookups, why not lower out the intermediary altogether?

So I did: I downloaded the Wikipedia app and may wholeheartedly suggest you do the identical.

It’s not simply that Google search on cell is unhealthy (it’s) or that Google shouldn’t be rewarded for its monopoly place (it shouldn’t); it’s additionally that the Wikipedia app is… kinda enjoyable, significantly in the event you’re a nerd with an affinity for factoids. I don’t learn about you, however give me a couple of beers and subsequent to no provocation, and I’ll loudly declaim to whoever will hear that Wikipedia is definitely one of many true wonders of the web: an honest-to-goodness present to humanity that, regardless of its quite a few failings, offers exponentially extra utility than hurt on this shabby, fallible world of ours. In truth, once I give it some thought, a lot of what I think about to be “good” or “useful” about “technology” or “modern life” basically boils all the way down to “having access to Wikipedia all the time.” So why not make that simpler?

Of course, there are many areas wherein Google will proceed to reign supreme — for locations, information, and imprecise searches for belongings you half keep in mind, however for a sure set of use circumstances, Wikipedia is simply sooner and extra handy. In truth, it additionally looks like a greater approach to waste time on my telephone. What’s this, I ask, as I open up the app. An image of the day? Don’t thoughts if I do. Oh, and a prime 5 most-read article record? Send ‘em my way. And a map feature that lists nearby article subjects? Wikipedia, please, with your little live compass icons that direct you to nearby locations, you’re actually spoiling us.

Anyway, all of that’s to say that Wikipedia in your telephone is sweet. You ought to obtain it. Google is getting worse. Don’t reward it. Up with the information keepers and down with the middlemen. Get Wikipedia in your telephone right here for iOS and Android, and by no means look again.