Newsletter
The latest beta build of Google’s Android keyboard Gboard started rolling out on the Google Play Store earlier this week and debuted a number of new additions and improvements. The app that most people knew as Google Keyboard until recently now features a Google Translate shortcut that can be accessed directly from the keyboard’s toolbar and also ships with a new theme picker.
If you’re participating in the Gboard beta and have already received the update version 6.1.59, you’ll be able to access Google Translate from the Suggestions bar of the keyboard. The bar can be opened by tapping the “G” icon on the keyboard itself. Doing so for the first time will trigger a pop-up window that explains how the text you’re about to type in the box will be sent to Google’s servers for translation. Agreeing to the Google Translate Terms of Service (ToS) means you won’t see the same message again and will be able to instantly use the company’s translation tool directly from your Gboard whenever you want to. Tapping the Google Translate shortcut from the Suggestions bar will now open a translation field accompanied by two selectors for changing the language you’re inputting and the language you want Google Translate to output. The text that you’re typing in this field located immediately above the keyboard is also replicated in the text field of whatever app you’re using and gets translated when you’re done typing. Note that the translation will be highlighted so that you can immediately delete it if you don’t like it or have changed your mind about writing it in the first place.
Furthermore, the Themes selection screen received a major redesign with this beta update and now features sliders and a “Recently used” section where you can quickly access your previous choices of Themes. Below that section is another new addition called “Landscapes” which presents you with some ideas on how to create your own Gboard Themes. While the latest Gboard beta build already started rolling out on the Google Play Store, it may be a while before it’s available for download worldwide, so try to remain patient if you still can’t see the new features.
