Google Launches Gboard Exclusively For iOS Users
The rumors were accurate after all. Just recently, Google has just released a new and exclusive application for iOS users that aims to make mobile internet browsing a seamless experience.
Called 'Gboard', the long-rumored app simplifies searches and provides swipe-based typing, access to gifs, and a slew of other staple keyboard functions that now include emojis and word predictions, AFR reported. As expected, the keyboard is linked directly to most, if not all, of Google's web-based services. By tapping into the G-shaped icon on the left side of the suggestion bar, users are immediately enabled to make use of Google-powered search features without exiting the keyboard to launch a browser.
By integrating Google search engine functions to the keyboard makes mobile internet searches for information like flight schedules, news content, business and restaurant listings, sales promos, and weather forecast far easier. Then users can tap to copy and paste the information to their chat. As per ARS Technica, Google intends to offer users a way of integrating media content and search results right into people's conversations.
"We wanted to bring the best of Google to Gboard, so you'll see Maps, Translate, image and video search, News and others," says Rajan Patel, the head of the product team that developed Gboard as quoted by Tech Crunch. Patel further hinted that personalized keyboard might be rolled out in the future. "Initially, Gboard will not surface any information specific to you."
As browsing becomes an increasingly convenient and efficient with the use of internet-powered mobile devices, pundits are exploring whether text-to-speech feature will become the future of browsing too.
"Text-to-speech capability that can work around background noise is a tough nut to crack," remarked IDC analyst William Stofega as stated in a report by TopTech News. "A lot of people like to use their devices for searching and other tasks while they're driving, and while the technology has gotten much better, it still has a ways to go."
