Abstract

• A Google Gboard beta is testing a brand new choice to cover punctuation keys, irritating customers.
• The change would mirror how the iPhone keyboard operates.
• Removing of punctuation keys might simplify the expertise for iPhone customers switching to Android.

Google’s Android keyboard, Gboard, has been receiving a whole lot of consideration these days, however for all of the flawed causes. The corporate retains testing design modifications that customers do not like. Now, it appears like Google Keyboard is about to get an choice to cover punctuation, just like Apple’s iPhone keyboard.

Anybody who’s switched from Android to iPhone in all probability needed to study to retype on their cellphone. That is as a result of the comma and interval keys are hidden somewhat than being to the left and proper of the spacebar. Certain, autocorrect can add punctuation for you, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a irritating change if you’re not anticipating it.

Noticed by Android Authority, the newest Gboard beta has a brand new setting choice the place customers can flip punctuation keys on or off, primarily dumbing down the keyboard. With this toggle turned on, Android customers must faucet the “?123” key to see and use punctuation marks. What a bizarre change that nobody requested for.

This is only one of a number of odd design modifications lately. Earlier this month, beta customers randomly began noticing that Gboard buttons had been changed to one among three completely different designs. Some customers had common keys, others noticed rounded buttons, and some others noticed pill-shaped buttons. Clearly, that may mess with anybody who’s used Gboard for a number of years, and other people had been upset.

Eradicating punctuation in Google’s Gboard keyboard is barely within the testing section. Whereas we’re solely seeing it as an non-obligatory setting within the newest beta, there is a first rate probability it could possibly be rolled out to all customers in a future replace. Or no less than we hope it will solely be an non-obligatory change and never pressured on everybody.

So, why would Google randomly make such a drastic tweak to the keyboard used on tens of millions of Android smartphones and tablets? For one, it delivers a extra streamlined look and cleans up the keyboard. Nevertheless, the extra logical reply is that Google desires to make it simpler for iPhone homeowners to modify to Android.

Naturally, some of the troublesome elements of creating the swap is getting used to a brand new display screen measurement and a special keyboard, contemplating it is the first manner we work together with our machine each second. So, if Google could make the transition simpler and steal a couple of iPhone customers, the change is smart. Once more, so long as that is non-obligatory and never turned on by default.

Curiously sufficient, this is not the primary iPhone characteristic we have seen on Android this 12 months. Samsung’s One UI 7 replace is copying some of Apple’s worst features. The brand new Galaxy S25 and a number of other different telephones, as soon as they get the One UI 7 replace, may have a totally revamped notification system that works just like the iPhone, which is foolish. Samsung additionally employed a brand new system that separates the notification panel and fast settings pulldown bar. Fortunately Samsung stored the previous fashion, so customers can merely switch back to the old method.

In my view, Gboard remains to be one of the best keyboard for Android, and I do not see a reason to change it to something else. But when the corporate continues to make bizarre design modifications and iPhone-ify the keyboard, I would look elsewhere. Once more, that is solely within the beta, so we’ll have to attend and see what occurs.

Supply: Android Authority