Over the years, a number of alternative keyboards have appeared on the Google Play Store to use on your smartphone. However, there are not many that are really worth experiencing. Having only a real rival, Google Gboard is beyond doubt one of the keyboards you’ll want to try out on your Android.
However, there are many features and features that end up being ‘hidden’, and that sometimes go unnoticed in the eyes of many users. By not knowing some of its most interesting features, you will hardly be able to unlock the true capabilities of Google Gboard.
That’s why today I come to give you 5 tips to get the most out of everything this keyboard has to offer you. Certainly, you will already know about some of them, but I am sure that at least one will be extremely useful for you!
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Google Gboard is one of the best keyboards for Android, enjoy it to the fullest!
For many years I was a fan of the popular Swiftkey keyboard, bluntly stating that there was no keyboard that came close to what it had to offer. But with the great evolution that has undergone during the last years, Google Gboard managed to put itself at the same level of Swiftkey, or even at a higher level.
After I started using Gboard, there were many features and little tricks that I discovered. Many of them have even gone unnoticed for some time. Once everything is set up and adjusted to your needs, you will not want to use any other keyboard.
Do you use more than one language on a regular basis? No problem!
This is a feature that is far from being exclusive to Google Gboard. However, support for multiple languages simultaneously on this keyboard is simply phenomenal. Especially if you consider the fact that it is the keyboard that holds the record of more languages supported.
Add additional languages to the Gboard in just two steps:
- First, you need to access the keyboard settings by pressing the Google icon.
- Second, access the languages tab and select all the languages in which you usually communicate in your day today.
It’s extremely easy to add new languages to your Gboard, and the way all languages are used simultaneously is impressive. In my case, I have three active languages – French, English, and Spanish – and they are all used simultaneously for suggestions while I am writing.
The keyboard can recognize which language I am using, making suggestions according to the detected language. In addition, it is also possible to select your main language so that you can choose which one to use before you can detect which one is being used.
It’s so easy to navigate between characters in your messages!
Since I started to be an Android smartphone user with my beloved Samsung Galaxy S, I get extremely frustrated with specific detail in writing messages. It happens over and over again while you are writing a message, you need to navigate between the characters to add words or correct minor errors.
However, this task on Android smartphones has not always been the most enjoyable. Clicking exactly on the location we need to access is an almost impossible task and accessing “little arrows” on the keyboard is certainly not a very practical option. This was one of the features I’ve always envied on iOS, with that giant magnifying glass that helps you get where you really need it in the text.
But, it was relatively recently that I discovered that Google has not forgotten this problem on your keyboard. Although not a very publicized feature, it is extremely useful! With Google Gboard, you can use the SPACEBAR to navigate between characters.
To do this, simply slide your finger on the space bar, and you’ll see the bookmark navigate through your entire message. You will see that the level of productivity will be greatly improved once you start taking advantage of this feature.
No patience to “chat”? Then start to slide your finger to write!
This was one of my favorite features while I was using SwiftKey, which was the original creator of Gliding. However, Google did what it does best, got this feature and made it even better!
I do not use this functionality as the main way of writing messages in my daily life. However, I have to tell you that it can be extremely useful when you only have one hand available for writing. Put the keyboard in ‘one-hand’ mode and you’ll see there’s no faster way to write.
In addition, the Gboard has taken this functionality to a higher level. You’ll be able to slide your finger across the keyboard while you’re making complete sentences. The keyboard can recognize the words you wish to write in sentence construction, and its accuracy is simply impressive. Once again, the level of your abilities is clear enough to detect the language you are using without any problem.
Gboard made text translation even easier
Again, this is a feature that takes advantage of one of Google’s services. Google Translate was one of the services that most developed over the years, being used by millions of people every day. With Gboard, you will not need to use the Google translation application.
Now, Google Gboard has already integrated Google Translate, making it possible to translate text between any of more than 300 supported languages directly on the keyboard.
To access the translator, you’ll need to click on the Google icon and click on the Google Translate icon. Unfortunately, this feature can not recognize text that is present in the application you are using. This would certainly be an improvement that would make the Gboard even more useful.
However, the ability to write in your language and the translation is done in real time to another language on the message platform you are using will prove extremely useful.
Create shortcuts for the words/phrases you use most
This is most likely one of the features that many people know about, but very few ends up taking advantage of what it has to offer. Word/phrase shortcuts are very simple to create and can save you a lot of writing time over time.
In the Google Gboard settings, you access the dictionary tab and then the personal dictionary. If you have more than one language, you will also be able to choose which language you want to add these shortcuts to.
Although this section has been created to add words to your own dictionary, its most useful is even creating shortcuts. With this feature, you’ll be able to send sentences using just one word. You’ll see that once you start using this feature, you’ll save even a lot of time!
These were my 5 tips for you to get the most out of the great potential that Google Gboard has. With all the evolution that has presented since its creation and constant news, this is without any doubt one of the best keyboards that you can have installed on your Android smartphone.
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!