Google's new iPhone keyboard has a search engine and is now in the UK

Update: Google has now released the Gboard app to the UK. If you live in Australia you're going to have to wait a little while longer and if you're on Android there's no update either.

Original:Google has launched a new keyboard that includes an integrated search feature, making it even easier to share links, images and pretty much everything else you find online.

The keyboard – officially named the Gboard – works much like your average keyboard, but also includes a small 'G' in the top left which you can tap to search the internet.

You can then find anything you want online from locations to GIFs, articles to flight times, and send it without having to leave the app.

It's a smart idea that means you'll spend less time darting between Safari and your messaging app of choice. Gboard will work on top of any other iOS app.

At your fingers

It will also make finding emojis easier within messaging apps - you can just type in the name of the emoji you want, without having to scroll through.

On top of all that, the keyboard includes Glide Typing, which works in a similar way to Swype's keyboard, allowing you to create words without even lifting your finger from the screen.

A product expert at Google has taken to a forum to explain the Gboard app will be coming to Android at some point in the future too. Bri Connelly wrote, "Working on the best way to bring the same functionality to Android right now!"

You can download the Gboard app direct from the Apple App Store now.