Google may be all about search, but it looks like Swype is hoping to usurp their search box as the easiest way to find things on Android devices. The company showed Android Community an upcoming version of the app which adds text-based global shortcut support: type your search term into any text box, double tap it and then use Swype commands to trigger new Twitter and Facebook messages, Google Maps searches, and more.

So, if you’re texting someone to invite them for a drink and you want to find the nearest coffee shop, you could Swype in “coffee shop” into the body of your SMS, highlight it, and then gesture from the Swype key up to G then M. Swype will automatically load Google Maps and search for that term. When the new version ships, Swype will preload a selection of shortcuts, but also allow users to define their own.

Meanwhile, the app also gets multi-tap text entry support, useful for those who ever have been frustrated by trying to Swype in non-dictionary words. The app switched seamlessly between the two modes with no settings changed. More in the video below.