Reports late on Tuesday have claimed that Google has developed a third-party keyboard for the iPhone.
The Verge’s sources say the app would feature heavy Google search integration via a Google logo.
According to the report, it will also include gesture-based swipe-to-type tech, just like the stock Android keyboard. It could also benefit from GIF searches that may be powered by Google image search.
Although a prominent feature on the standard Android keyboard, there’s no room for voice search functionality on the iOS counterpart, according to the report.
In the app-based mobile ecosystem, users can find most of the information they need by launching an app rather than searching through Google first. This, of course, potentially harms the ad revenue Google makes from ad searches.
Related: Best iOS keyboards
Right now, it isn’t clear whether Google plans to release the keyboard onto the rival platform, but the published screenshot suggests it may be ready for prime time. According to the report, the keyboard has been in circulation internally for a number of months.
Until now, third-party keyboards on the iPhone – finally introduced within iOS 8 – have largely failed to deliver an improved experience due to the hassle of installing and cycling through the various options once installed.
Can Google do better? We might be about to find out.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.