Google has unveiled a new keyboard for the iPhone and iPad that lets you conduct searches, find GIFs and emojis, and type by swiping — all without leaving the app you’re currently typing in.
Out of desperation to keep up with Android, Apple allowed 3rd party developers to create alternate keyboards beginning with iOS 8, allowing users to have different options than the standard iPhone keyboard across the entire iOS system. It was a good decision, because frankly, the standard iPhone keyboard lacks any helpful features besides autocorrect (and even that can suck).
On Thursday Google launched a new iPhone keyboard cleverly titled Gboard, and the brilliance of it is that it combines the features of several 3rd party keyboards into one. Plus, Google added a unique — and very Google — feature of their own: Seamless searching right within the keyboard.
Google’s announcement video (below) best shows off the features, but here are a few highlights we suspect everyone will become addicted to:
- A “G” button at the top left pulls up a search bar. After typing in a term, you’ll be offered standard Google search results, images, and GIFs.
- Tapping any of the search results will automatically add it to the message you’re typing, making it easy to write down the information you’re looking for without leaving whatever app you’re in.
- Tapping the emoji keyboard button shows the emojis laid out in a familiar way, but with the added benefit of a search box so you can quickly find your favorite emoji.
- Similar to the popular third party keyboard Swype, you can drag your finger across the letters on the keyboard to type your message. This is particularly handy when you only have one hand to type with.
G Board is currently only available for Apple’s iOS devices, and not Google’s own Android devices. The tech giant didn’t say when they’d be releasing this for Android — if ever.