Newsletter
The beta version of Google’s keyboard app Gboard has been released adding features like showing multiple search results and GIF lookup. In addition to these features, there are also improvements in other aspects of the app, like adding new actions in the cards. In the new beta build, the searches done within the Gboard app will now show multiple results in a carousel of cards. Previous versions of the Gboard app has allowed multiple search results to be shown but only for very specific queries like location searches. In the user experience standpoint, it will certainly be easier for smartphone owners to do searches as they do not need to go into a separate search application, open a browser, or access Google Assistant.
There are also improvements in the actions that can be performed on the search results. Most of these changes revolve around the addition of new actions and changes in the action’s appearance and layout. For example, results of location searches are shown in the carousel of cards that are accompanied by icons pertaining to certain actions. Among these new actions include making a phone call to a specific establishment, provide directions to the location of the search result, and opening the search in Maps. For other searches, an action that opens searches in Chrome is also available. Another action allowing the sharing of searches and URLs is now more obvious, which makes it easier for users to share links in chats and emails.
Searching for GIFs is also easier, with the app now allowing GIFs to be searched in its main web search field. Those who want to search for the GIFs only need to tap on the GIF button at the bottom of the interface, while other actions like returning to the keyboard can also be found at the same bottom strip. Meanwhile, just in case that words can not properly describe the appropriate emoji users are searching for, Google has also incorporated into the Gboard application the capability of searching emojis through a drawing. It can be accessed by clicking on an icon found in the emoji bar that will direct users to a sketchpad where users can draw the defining features of an emoji they are looking for. While these features are only available in the beta version of the Gboard app, users may expect that these features will roll out soon to the stable version of the application.
