The Google app for iOS is adding a number of new features today that expand the availability of Search functionality via the share extension and iMessage. Meanwhile, the app is also gaining support for iOS 11’s iPad features.
With the latest update, the Google app now includes an iMessage extension that feature a quick search functionality for both the web and GIFs. Similar to Gboard’s existing capabilities, there are shortcuts for “Food” and “Nearby.” Searching for a location will let users paste a card directly into the conversation that includes the address and phone number.
To the right of the search bar, there is also a GIF lookup feature to paste animations into a conversation.
Meanwhile, Google is taking better advantage of the share extension with a new “Search Google” button in the sheet. Tapping will load a list of similar results for the page you’re currently looking at. Google notes that this works in Safari, Chrome, and other third-party iOS browsers.
The last change today brings support for iPad improvements that Apple introduced with its latest OS:
Be sure to update to the latest version via the App Store.
