Samsung phones and tablets come pre-installed with Samsung Keyboard, but many still use Google’s Gboard app for typing. The popular keyboard from Google is now getting a new update for beta testers, showcasing its new design.
As per Android Police, Gboard has revamped the toolbar, which brings a new quick-access toolbar. This update is live only for those who are enrolled in the app’s beta program. Prior to this update, Gboard users had to tap on the 3-dot menu icon (similar to Samsung Keyboard) to customize the buttons that appear on the Gboard’s quick-access menu. Now, with the latest Gboard update, Google has moved this option to the left edge of the menu bar.
Gboard is also getting a new privacy menu
The quick-access button is now replaced with a four-square button containing rounded corners. Tapping on this redesigned Gboard menu button, you will see an emoji option and a language switcher as well, which weren’t there before. You can now also rearrange the icons in the overflow menu by simply dragging them to the desired location.
Inspired by Samsung Keyboard, Gboard’s new version lets you add as many shortcuts as you can to the overflow menu. Previously, the quick access toolbar was limited to having just four shortcuts. Probably the biggest change in the Gboard toolbar is the voice search button. Now, you can easily drag any other shortcut and replace the microphone icon in the overflow menu.
Gboard is also getting a new Privacy section inside its Settings menu. Interestingly, there aren’t any new privacy settings inside this menu, and it is populated with the settings that were previously available under the ‘Advanced’ section. All these new features have appeared in the Gboard beta app (version 12.6.06.491625702). It seems to be a server-side update and is limited to beta users.
