Gboard, the fancy keyboard Google released exclusively on iOS earlier this year, is now effectively coming to Android, too. As Android Police and 9to5 Google point out, a Google Keyboard update is adding key Gboard features, including an integrated search function, an emoji search tool, and new shortcuts. It’s currently available only as an APK from Google without detailed release notes, although it should make its way over to the Play Store soon. For now, Android Police is keeping a running tally of new features.
Google’s great iOS keyboard is now on Android
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
Gboard is a good example of a Google feature that was somehow better on iOS than on Google’s own operating system, even with Apple’s limits on third-party keyboards. The company promised to bring features of it to Android, but it’s taken several months to get here.
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