Android tablet users who prefer to use a physical keyboard over a touch screen have a reason to rejoice: the latest update of Gboard, Google’s virtual keyboard app, brings some new and useful features to enhance their typing experience.
According to 9to5Google, the Gboard version 13.6+ introduces a new toolbar that pops up when a physical keyboard is attached to the tablet, either via Bluetooth or USB. The toolbar is not available on all Android tablets yet, but it is expected to roll out gradually to more devices.
The toolbar is a pill-shaped widget that can be placed anywhere on the screen. By default, it is located at the bottom of the screen, where it does not obstruct the user’s view of the text. The toolbar has several functions that make typing easier and more fun.
One of the functions is a suggestion strip, which offers word predictions and corrections based on the user’s input. This feature is similar to the one that the virtual Gboard provides, but it was previously only accessible when the software keyboard was open. This reduced the screen space available for the user, especially on smaller tablets. With the new toolbar, the user can enjoy the benefits of the suggestion strip without sacrificing screen real estate.
Another function is an emoji picker, which allows the user to quickly insert emojis into their text. The emoji picker opens in a floating window that resembles a phone-sized UI. It contains a variety of emojis, including smileys, animals, food, and symbols. The user can also search for emojis by typing keywords or phrases.
The new toolbar can be customized in the Gboard’s “Physical keyboard” settings. The user can choose to enable or disable the toolbar, as well as adjust the preferences for the emojis and the suggestions. The user can also toggle the auto-capitalization and auto-correction options, which can help improve the accuracy and consistency of the text.
The new Gboard toolbar is a welcome addition for Android tablet users who like to use a physical keyboard. It enhances their typing experience by offering more features and flexibility. It also shows that Google is committed to improving its virtual keyboard app, which is one of the most popular and widely used apps on Android devices.