Google has launched Gboard, a new keyboard for iOS devices that integrates search functions, such as maps, GIFs or shopping results directly into the user’s messages.
The keyboard presents a button on the upper left that allows users to perform web searches, look for images or GIFs, or even search for emoji without leaving the keyboard. Users will now be able to paste results from web searches instantly into a text box.
Moreover, the new mobile keyboard also offers a functionality of Swiftkey-style word tracing that allows users swipe their thumb over the board to form words instead of tapping each letter.
Not just that the keyboard has a very robust privacy policy according to which Google will not be sending anything that user types, other than searches, back to Google. Gboard can adapt to typing by that includes learning the exact way the user spells their name.
Although the app is currently available to Apple users only but as per search giant it will soon be released for Android too.
Google is “working on the best way to bring the same functionality to Android right now,” said Bri Connelly, a Google product manager involved with Gboard, in a comment to ProductHunt on Thursday.