14 DAY TRIAL // Starting today, iOS users have yet another option when it comes to keyboards as Google follows Microsoft's lead and launches its new iOS keyboard. Gboard integrates multiple search functions for finding information faster, without having to switch between multiple apps.
Information on the app first appeared in March, when it was rumored that Google was working on an application that integrates search functions into iOS keyboard. It seems that Google decided to bring Google Now on Tap feature closer to iOS users.
The concept behind Gboard is the same as that of Google’s Android equivalent, in the sense that it removes the hassle of having to search through multiple applications in order to find information online. The keyboard features a button on the left side that allows users to search the Internet, look for images of GIFs and even search for emoji without having to switch to another app.
Google offers word tracing in the iOS keyboard, as well as swipe-based typing and access to common keyboard functions, like word predictions. Users can search for flight times, news articles, business listings, weather and other information that they can simply tap to paste into the chat window. It saves time and avoids the hassle of navigating through multiple applications.
Gboard doesn't include a microphone
Information appears in a card-style layout and can be pasted as hyperlinked text, allowing users to pull up listings in Google Maps, phone a business or perform web searches. Google partnered with Riffsy to improve predefined GIF categories, but GIF search is powered by Google search and will surface GIFs from a number of sources. GIFs are also arranged into categories, to make it easier to navigate through them.
One drawback of using Google’s keyboard is that it doesn’t include a microphone, as Apple doesn’t allow any third-party keyboards to offer this feature. This means that users won’t be able to access “OK Google” or even Siri for voice search.
The installed keyboard remembers words that users type for word prediction and providing spelling suggestions, but the data is stored only on the device and can be deleted easily.
Gboard is available for free in the iOS App Store, but it seems to be US-only for now.
