Google Rolling Out ‘Tappable Shortcuts’ within iOS App

Google wants to make it easier for you to find answers and recommendations on smartphones without having to think about what to ask its search engine.

The search engine application’s new feature, called “tappable shortcuts,” will appear as a row of icons below the Google search box, reads a new report from TechCrunch. Instead of having to ponder and then speak or type a request, the shortcuts will let you tap the icons to get the latest weather, movie showtimes, sports scores, restaurant recommendations and other common requests, says Google.

The update will affect both users of Android and iOS, but Android users will get more options including shortcuts for animal sounds, tip calculator, Solitaire and tic-tac-toe. In total, there will be 40 more shortcuts in Android than in iOS.

The app will learn from your tapping habits, so Google will place the most used shortcuts on the homepage and users can tap an arrow to see the other available options.

Google also says they’ll add special shortcuts for big moments and events in the future, so keeping up on major happenings should be easy enough. The update is rolling out right now so make sure your Google app is updated and you should begin to see these new shortcuts before too long.

The shortcuts will begin appearing in updates to the Google app for iPhone, Android, and its mobile website. The Android app will also include various tools such as a currency converter, a language translator and an ATM locator, which you can also summon with a tap. Those tools may eventually make it to the iPhone as well, although Google says it’s not sure when.

Check out the video below.

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