Google working on third-party iOS keyboard

Google is reportedly working on a third-party keyboard for iOS devices that come with a variety of search options, according to unofficial reports. The Google Keyboard is believed to be aimed at increasing the number of Google searches on iOS.

According to The Verge, the Google keyboard will introduce some additional features in order to drive iOS users to switch from their existing iOS stock keyboard. The Internet giant will supposedly use a unique gesture-based typing technology for the new keyboard.

The Google keyboard for iOS may have separate buttons for image and GIF searches. Android keyboards do not provide any text or image-based search options, so it makes sense for Google to provide an upgrade on this end.

To access traditional Google search, users will just have to tap a Google logo on the keyboard. This easy access to Google search is expected to encourage users to use it more often.

There were reports in January that Microsoft was developing a Word Flow Windows Phone keyboard for iOS devices. The keyboard will apparently have an arc-shaped design to help with single-handed typing. It can be used by both right-handed and left-handed people as it works from both sides of the device.

The keyboard will supposedly feature swipe-based typing, automatic word corrections and sport a built-in word prediction technology, reported MacRumors. Microsoft’s iOS keyboard will be quite similar to that of the Word Flow keyboard used on Windows 10 Mobile devices.

For the uninitiated, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users on iOS 8 or later can use third-party keyboards in place of the standard keyboards.

Users can head over to the App Store to download and install the keyboard app. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like the third-party keyboards are very popular with iOS users due to its performance issues.