Are tablet users looking for an alternative to Google and other search engines designed primarily for PCs?

Izik, launched on Friday, could be an answer.

Izik, which is pronounced EYE-zik, is a search engine geared for tablet users. “Type less, get more” is its promise.

It is billed as the first search engine tailored especially for iPads and increasingly popular tablet computers running on Google’s Android software.

Izik’s free app can be downloaded on the iPad or Android tablets.

To cater to the more visual format of tablets, Izik displays search results in rows of tiles that can be easily scrolled with a swipe of a finger. That contrasts with Google Inc.’s emphasis on mostly static links accompanied by snippets of text.

The tablet-driven search engine is the creation of a 5-year-old startup called Blekko.

On its website, Izik declares it is “ian application for tablets that allows you to search, explore and discover the Web. Tablets are getting further integrated into our lives in a fun and functional way. With izik, our goal is to have the practicality of the Web unfold at your fingertips in a fun and playful manner. Type in the name of your favorite band, TV show, sports team, city, recipe – really anything – and izik will produce an image-rich page filled with quality content for you to explore.

“Content on izik is presented in various categories to allow for minimal typing and to provide context to results. Look up “Jennifer Lopez” and see results under the categories of Lyrics, Gossip, and Perfume. Search for “Lincoln” and see not only movie times, but also sites organized under Reviews, History, and Cars — all accessible with a tap of your fingertip. Use izik to meander your way through your favorite subjects and discover more!”

Promising to “Type Less, get More,” Izik touts five key benefits:

  • Swipe horizontally to view more results in one of the thousands of izik search categories.
  • Swipe vertically on the page to find more categories related to your topic.
  • Swipe through expanded results or images.
  • Expand any result to see more and share the article with your friends.
  • Quick answer boxes that help you find what you need right away.