Google For iOS Update: New Widget, Gboard Keyboard Search Feature Added

For owners of iPhones and iPads who are using the iOS Google app as their go-to resource for Search, Google just announced a new version of the app which comes with a new widget and a very familiar feature. The Mountain View giant is slowly rolling out the update, so some users could expect it to arrive later this week.

On Tuesday, Google Search on iOS product manager Nabil Shahid announced via the Google blog that the iOS version of the Google app is being updated with the integration of the Gboard keyboard. The keyboard for iPhone was launched last May as a standalone app. With the update, this keyboard is now part of the Google Search app as a feature that allows users to search and send information, GIFs, emojis and more straight from the keyboard.

Once the Google app has been updated, users can activate the Gboard keyboard feature by heading to the Google app Settings and setting it up for the device. The new functionality can be accessed on the keyboard by tapping Google’s “G” logo that’s displayed on the left side of the word suggestions field atop the keys.

The new update also brings a new widget called Trending on Google. According to Shahid, this widget will help users be in the know about the latest stories and breaking news from all around the world. The widget displays live trending searches on Google, so if users see something that catches their eyes a single tap would launch the Google app where they could read the story or news that caught their attention.

Users can access the Trending on Google widget by activating 3D Touch on the app icon or by simply swiping right on the home screen. On the home screen, users should tap Edit then proceed to adding the Trending on Google widget.

Google has also added a set of quick search actions to the Google app. These options can be accessed by hard pressing the app icon. Shahid pointed out that 3D Touch has been integrated throughout the app, so hard pressing on certain features of the app would lead to more options. For example, hard pressing on Search results will let users preview content before opening it.