Remember the time we used to write in hand? Well, I barely do, too. While keyboards on tablets and foldable smartphones offer plenty of features, one common missing element is handwriting recognition. Thankfully, Gboard, Google’s popular keyboard app, is now addressing this gap with native handwriting support.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman (via Android Headlines) received a tip about the feature going live on Gboard and shared a video demonstrating how it works. The video shows how users can easily write in text fields, delete or insert text, and even join words using different gestures.
Gboard’s handwriting recognition automatically converts written text into typed text as you move to the next word. While handwriting recognition has been a staple of Apple’s iPad experience with its Scribble functionality, Gboard’s implementation aims to set a new standard for Android devices. The feature seamlessly integrates with Gboard’s existing interface, allowing users to switch between typing and handwriting with ease.
For an improved experience, a floating toolbar appears when using handwriting recognition. It provides quick access to emojis, language pickers, clipboards, and other handy tools. Users can also customize handwriting speed and stroke width in Gboard’s settings.
And the good news doesn’t stop there. Gboard’s handwriting recognition isn’t limited to tablets. It’s also available, for example, on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, allowing S Pen users to enjoy the benefits of handwriting input on their foldable devices.
This addition arrives as Android 14 introduces native stylus support to the OS. So, if your tablet isn’t running the latest version, you won’t be able to experience handwriting recognition. Google is still rolling out handwriting support in Gboard, so it may not immediately appear on all devices. However, it’s a welcome addition that makes text entry on tablets and foldable smartphones even more versatile.
According to Google, handwriting recognition is powered by machine learning and supports over 200 languages. The company claims that it can recognize even the most sloppy or stylized handwriting with high accuracy and speed.
Gboard’s new stylus handwriting feature isn’t exclusive to the Pixel Tablet, or tablets in general, as it’s also rolled out to my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5! https://t.co/VvYxkB06c5 pic.twitter.com/bZr6Jt1fwP
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) December 17, 2023
“Handwriting recognition is a natural and intuitive way of expressing yourself on your device,” said Rajan Patel, director of engineering at Google. “We want to make it easier for everyone to use handwriting as an input method, whether they want to jot down a quick note, fill out a form, or write a long message.”
Some users have already expressed their appreciation for the new feature on social media. “I love Gboard’s handwriting recognition. It’s so fast and accurate, and it works great with my S Pen. It feels like writing on paper, but better,” tweeted one user.
Another user commented, “I’ve been waiting for this feature for so long. I hate typing on my tablet, but handwriting is so much more natural and comfortable. Thank you, Google, for making Gboard even more awesome.”
If you want to try out handwriting recognition on Gboard, you can download the latest version of the app from the Google Play Store or the APK Mirror. You may need to enable the feature in the Gboard settings under Languages > Handwriting. Once you do that, you can start writing with your finger or stylus and see how Gboard transforms your handwriting into text.