Google has announced Gboard today, it’s a new keyboard app for iPhone users that allows them to search and send information, GIFs, emojis, and much more through the keyboard itself. It’s interesting what the company is doing here because it’s essentially bringing over Google Now on Tap to iOS. Since the feature can’t be baked into Apple’s platform the second best way to bring it to iOS is by launching it as an app.
It’s the same concept. Instead of having to switch between apps for little tasks, users can accomplish all that they need to using Gboard.
For example, say you’re making plans with a friend for dinner and they ask you to find the address. Normally you would close whatever app you were using to talk to them and launch a web browser, open a search engine, find the address, copy it and then paste it back in the messaging app. Sounds hectic.
Gboard makes it simpler. Press and hold on the Google logo and type in your query, and instantly share the desired result. They keyboard works with all iOS apps, lets users swipe to type, as well as brings emojis and GIFs so that they can easily add some spark to their conversations.
It’s a great way for Google to showcase this technology and also get more people on iOS using its search engine since users don’t get to change the search engine that Gboard uses. Gboard is now available as a free download from the App Store.