Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Google Launches 'Gboard' Keyboard For iOS, Featuring Built-In Google Search (techcrunch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the all-in-one dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Google launched a new keyboard application called "Gboard" for iOS today that features Google Search built-in to the keyboard itself. In addition, it offers swipe-based typing and access to GIFs, as well as some basic features like emojis and word predictions. The "G" icon in the upper lefthand corner opens a window for you to search Google without leaving the keyboard and launching a browser or the Google app. From there you can search for things like flight times, news articles, restaurant and business listings, weather and more, and paste that information into your chat with a single tap. The information is presented in a card-style layout. "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, head of the product team that developed Gboard. "Initially, Gboard will not surface any information specific to you," he added, hinting that a personalized keyboard is in the works for the future.

4 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Nice! by 110010001000 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Downloading it now! Now THAT is innovation. Apps!

  2. Important question by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What prevents Google from sending everything you type back to the mother-ship?

    --

    "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    1. Re:Important question by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 2

      Yep, I wondered how long until this slashvertisment for 'helpful' Google products would turn into a discussion about invasiveness.

      "I use an iPhone so I don't get infected by all that Google s--t."

      But yeah, I am finding the notifications on Android lately rather frightening. Maybe it's my paranoia kicking in but even if they don't use my data maliciously I find it scary that they remind me from scanning my email that a bill is due or that if I take this route I'm 26 minutes from 'home'.

      So I think a dose of AOSP/Cyanogenmod and f-droid may cure my anxiety, particularly as an official product, Google aren't bothering to update my 5.1.1 Nexus device to M, let alone N.

    2. Re:Important question by c · · Score: 2

      Have you considered just turning off all the Google Now functionality? Because that's where all those "helpful" notifications are coming from.

      --
      Log in or piss off.