Operating systems often borrow from each other, and it seems Google’s Gboard is bringing on a beloved iOS keyboard feature that lets users “flick” keys to select numbers and symbols. This addition appears in an upcoming beta build.
According to an APK teardown done by Android Authority, an upcoming beta version of Gboard looks to be bringing on a few new features. The biggest one is something we see in Apple’s version of a digital keyboard.
When typing, swiping down or “flicking” a key will pull down a symbol or number, allowing you to easily select a secondary character without having to break up momentum to tap and hold. The action comes naturally after some practice and works phenomenally well, if executed correctly.
In Gboard, this new feature is found in a toggle labeled “flick keys to enter symbols.”
It’s unclear whether this feature will work with numbers in the top row of the keyboard or only symbols. It’d be a little nonsensical to allow for only symbols to be “flicked” into the text bar. It’s also strange that this feature borrows terminology from iOS, though “flicking” would imply an upward swipe, not a downward one as described.
Gboard is also adding a toggle for keeping the number row active in password layouts. This is accompanied by prompt entry in the writing tools tab, as well as rounded keys in Gboard.
Each of these features might appear in the next beta version of Gboard or in later versions – there is no telling from a teardown. In any case, the “flick” feature in Gboard will be nice to see as it brings a new, more thoughtful approach to typing.
More on Android:
- Samsung’s Wear OS 6 beta for Galaxy Watch surfaces prior to launch
- Google paid Samsung an ‘enormous’ amount of money to prioritize Gemini in One UI
- This tiny wireless Android Auto adapter hides in your car’s USB port
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments