Google is bringing new updates in Gboard that includes automatic translation, GIF and emoji suggestions among others. Another interesting round of upgrades in the keyboard is that it lets residents in Pakistan use their Torwali language, which is considered as one of the 27 endangered languages in the world.
The upgrade is an expansion of Google translation integration from last year that lets users hold down the home button to translate any screen of foreign text. With the upgrade, users can now do away with typing a message for translation as the Gboard automatically does it for them once the translate icon is tapped. Google also added some upgrades in its search features including web, GIF and emoji search that is available in right-to-left languages on Gboard.
In addition, Gboard gives access to emoji and GIF suggestions while users type, an improved voice typing and more keyboard themes. Google improves the Gboard voice typing feature by making it easier to switch between speaking and typing modes. The new Gboard themes also allow users to personalize by selecting from an expanded section.
Although Apple has already offered the emoji suggestions, Google ups it by giving suggested GIF searches in the suggestion section of the Gboard. The GIFs can also be shared from across other apps aside from Google including Messenger and Hangouts, which makes the usage of the keyboard more accessible like popular stand-in app Giphy.
Google Translate is the best feature in Gboard as it presents wide opportunities in multilingual communication. The keyboard makes communication easier for people because users won't have to go through the hassle of switching back and forth between the text interface and a translation app. Surprisingly, Google has helped thousands of speakers use their endangered language to text and update statuses on their Android phones.
Torwali is one of the 27 highly-endangered Pakistani languages with 80,000 speakers. A head from an organization that promotes the language wrote on a blog how a Google engineer helped his group build Torwali in Gboard. Overall, the Google upgrades prove to be hugely beneficial to Android fans and Gboard is already one of the best custom keyboards seen in mobile phones.