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The Gboard. It's a normal keyboard, but, hey, what does that Google button do?

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The rumors were true—Google just launched "Gboard," an iOS keyboard that combines Google Search with everyday typing. Right inside the keyboard area, users can search for local business results, images, and GIFs to weave into their conversation.

Gboard looks just like a normal keyboard except for the Google icon on the left side of the suggestion bar. Tap on it, and you'll get the familiar Google search bar with suggestions above it. Type in a query and the usual "return/send" button will turn blue and say "search." Results appear in a horizontally scrolling interface in the keyboard area that allows you to sift through search results without leaving your current app. There are tiny tabs on the bottom for normal search results, images, and GIFs.

Normal results can be pasted into the conversation as either usable text or as a picture of the Google results card. In the normal search results, you'll see more than just local businesses—most of the Google answer cards seem to be present. You can get a card that covers the weather, a celebrity, or a direct answer to a question. You can also find YouTube videos and drop them right into a conversation.

(credit: bluepoint951)

Philadelphia government officials are investigating whether Verizon has met an obligation to bring FiOS service to all residents of the city. Verizon obtained a cable franchise agreement from the city in February 2009, and the deadline to wire up all of Philadelphia passed on February 26 of this year.

Philadelphia seems skeptical about whether Verizon actually met its obligation, but it is still looking for proof. The city set up a webpage asking residents to fill out a form to "tell us whether you have tried to order Verizon service but have been told by the company that service is not yet available in your neighborhood." Verizon was required to make its "cable service available throughout the entire city, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the franchise agreement," the page says.

A Verizon spokesperson told Ars that the city confirmed that Verizon met a requirement to build out 85 percent of the city last summer and is now verifying whether Verizon completed the final 15 percent. Verizon says it has met its obligation. "We believe we’ve completed our FiOS buildout in Philadelphia and have complied with the terms of our franchise agreement with the city," Verizon said. "We’re currently working with the city’s Office of Innovation and Technology and the Law Department—the two entities that have oversight over the project—to verify we’ve met those obligations."