By leading Google Keyboard into the Play store’s domain, the search engine leader has stolen from Nexus users, the privilege of solely employing this service and devised the app for all Android gadgets which are running Ice Cream Sandwich and above. The latest introduction by Google offers most features found in Swype. However, while the latter has been chiseled over time to put forth better attributes, the utility in question still seems like a novice.
Nevertheless, it has come with some noteworthy qualities. To begin with, Google Keyboard lets Android owners use gestures, allowing people to glide over the panel, while automatically adding a space when the finger is lifted. Simultaneously, it provides a floating preview of words that are being punched in. Not only does it finish the current word, but it also recommends what remark can follow next.
Although the app is not compatible with 36 languages like Swype is, its support for 26 dialects comes across as a fair deal. It does not discriminate between portable form factors and it can be installed by smartphone as well as a tablet owners alike. Bearing in mind that at times, users would rather dial a number and have a direct conversation instead of texting, the company has added the Voice Typing feature which converts speech to text while conversing.
Google Keyboard has not been pushed forth for all markets just yet. It has been said on the official blog that it will currently prevail solely in English-speaking locales, although preparations to add more countries are being carried out. So far, the Play store has shown favorable reviews concerning the app which has received a 4.7 rating on the digital outlet.
What gives the Mountain View folks’ Keyboard, an upper hand over Swype is that it has been made available at no charge, as opposed to its competitor which sets users back $0.99 when downloaded.
To briefly recap, here are the stock Android app’s key features at a glance:
– Gesture typing with floating preview
– Speech-to-text option
– Suggestions for subsequent words
– Current word completion
– Support for 26 languages in the dictionary
– Meant for tablets and smartphones alike