Microsoft-owned SwiftKey releases a new search feature for its Android users, which allows them to do Internet-browsing directly from the keyboard.
The new feature is powered by Bing, Microsoft’s own search engine. Users can search the web through the keyboard without needing to quit their current app, and they do not need to go out of their way to open browser apps like Google Chrome, Opera, Safari and so on.
For example, if you’re talking to your friends on WeChat or Instagram and you’re discussing on where to eat later, or where to go for shopping, you can just use the search feature in the SwiftKey keyboard to search for places nearby, and send the results you want to your friends. You can also search for things like flight tickets, movie showtimes and so on.
Image credit: SwiftKey
When your SwiftKey keyboard is on display, just click on the + icon that will show the search feature. Then when you click on the search feature, it’ll show the search bar for you to do your searches and also your previous searches. When you’ve conducted your search, you are given an option to screenshot your web search so that it can be immediately shared to your friends. You can also choose to share the link instead of a screenshot if there are more information that you want to send to your friends.
This feature is similar to Google’s Gboard keyboard app, but if you’ve been a loyal SwiftKey user, then it’ll be a great update to you. While this feature is available for Android users, the company has not commented on whether iOS users will get it too.