TECH

Android Gboard: 'customize typing'

Google keyboard app for Android. Gboard is an all-purpose keyboard that is useful for most common users. Gboard is easy to use and fully integrated with Google services, especially with hidden features that make text entry process easier.

The core of the hidden function mentioned here is a small button called '?123'. Although seemingly simple, these keys present different interfaces depending on the user's personal keyboard usage patterns. For example, if you press the ?123 key in Gboard, you'll see that it jumps to a number-oriented interface with some special characters.

Here comes the awesome feature. The Gboard app remembers whether the layout you last used was a regular interface or a keypad-centric interface, and automatically jumps to the most recently accessed interface whenever you press the ?123 key.

Here's how to actually use it: it displays the number/letter screen similar to a more traditional keyboard, and the next time you press ?123 on the default keyboard screen, Gboard will jump to the traditional keyboard interface instead of the keyboard numeric. It remembers the last time the user used it and changes the function of the ?123 key. If you use the keyboard centered at the end, press the ?123 key afterwards and Gboard will automatically switch to the number pad. No matter what app you use or how much time has passed, it recognizes your usage patterns and shows you recently used layouts.

What's particularly interesting is that Gboard remembers the last numeric screen interface you used and affects when you 'press' the ?123 button as well as when you 'swipe' up.

When number/letter display is active, swiping up on ?123 provides easy access to the numbers or letters in this area, as well as the extra special characters hidden below the default options. If you've most recently accessed the numeric keypad, swiping up on ?123 will take you to that view, where you can quickly access numbers or letters by dragging and releasing your finger.

Once you've determined the most useful arrangement this way, just remember that Gboard actually has an invisible setting that lets you choose between two paths. Now that you know how to control it, let's put it into practice. You'll enjoy a smarter and faster Android typing experience tailored to your personal typing style.

image source: ⓒ JR Rafael