Post the launch of the feature-packed keyboard ‘Gboard’ on iOS in October, Google has today finally decided to launch the same for Android devices. The new and powerful keyboard is being delivered in the form of an update to the existing Google Keyboard app.
The existing Google keyboard app has now been rebranded to Gboard with the addition of features we’ve already seen on iOS. It doesn’t come separately but instead retains the customization options of the original app. This new update brings along the ability to use gesture typing, insert GIFs and most importantly – perform Google searches right from the keyboard. All this is accessible using the new tab which has been added to the left of the recommendation bar.
Gboard still continues to retain the material design theme UI of the keyboard and allows you to change the background theme as well. The ‘G’ button on the left when tapped, opens the search interface along with shortcuts for themes, one-handed mode, and settings. This keyboard, very much like iOS, now also shows emoji suggestion while typing.
The search functionality of the Gboard works within any app. You can either pull up search results for a particular query or a card with more info on the same. You can also share links of the web results from the keyboard directly into the app you’re using. The ability to share GIFs, however, isn’t available across all app but is especially useful in Google Messenger and Hangouts. It also makes it easier for users to have multiple active languages with a ‘main’ preferred language.
The version 6.0 update with the Gboard moniker and features has started rolling out to users via the Play Store.
