Advanced keyboard based search

Abstract

A virtual keyboard includes shortcut keys configured to execute a plurality of third-party applications from within the keyboard. These third-party applications are optionally executed via calls to a remote Application User Interface (API). The virtual keyboard optionally includes a text entry field configured for entry of search terms, and execution of the third-party applications include requesting search results from the (optionally remote) third-party applications using the search terms. Search results received from the third-party applications are optionally displayed together within the virtual keyboard. These search results may also be shared via a messaging application. Keystrokes typed into the messaging application are optionally used to automatically populate the text entry field. The virtual keyboard optionally represents an adapted interface to an independent application and the shortcut keys within the virtual keyboard are configured to individually access respective members of the third-party applications. The third-party applications may represent dependent applications accessed via adapted interfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.