Typing Gets Smarter: Google Tests AI Writing Tools, Flick Keys, and More in Gboard Revamp

Google is giving its default Android keyboard, Gboard, a major intelligence upgrade. In its latest beta rollout, the tech giant is testing a suite of new features designed to enhance writing, speed up symbol entry, and improve usability on compact devices. From AI-powered text suggestions to flickable keys and customizable layouts, Gboard is evolving into a smarter, more intuitive tool for everyday communication.

 

These updates are part of Google’s broader push to integrate generative AI into core Android experiences, making mobile interactions more efficient, expressive, and personalized.

 

Key Highlights from the Gboard Beta Update

 

AI writing tools now offer tone adjustment, grammar fixes, and custom prompt-based rewriting.

 

Flick keys allow users to drag down on a key to quickly insert symbols, similar to Apple’s iPad keyboard.

 

Compact phone tweaks include a smarter number row that appears only when needed.

 

Users can now customize key shapes, choosing between circular, pill, or traditional designs.

 

All features are currently available to Gboard beta testers and may roll out publicly in future updates.

 

AI Writing Tools: Smarter Text in Seconds

 

Real-Time Suggestions

 

Gboard’s new AI writing assistant can revise messages for tone—making them more formal, expressive, or concise.

 

It also corrects spelling and grammar errors instantly, offering a polished version of your text with a single tap.

 

Custom Prompts for Rewriting

 

Users can now input their own prompts to guide the AI, whether they want to rephrase a sentence, generate new content, or improve clarity.

 

This feature adds flexibility and creativity to everyday typing, especially useful for emails, social media posts, and professional messages.

 

On-Device Processing

 

All AI-powered editing happens locally on the device, ensuring privacy and faster response times.

 

Flick Keys and Symbol Entry: Speed Meets Simplicity

 

Gboard introduces flick keys, allowing users to tap and drag down on a key to insert its associated symbol.

 

This feature mimics the iPad keyboard’s gesture-based input and significantly speeds up typing for users who frequently use punctuation or special characters.

 

It may take some getting used to, but early testers report improved typing efficiency once mastered.

 

Compact Phone Optimizations

 

With the resurgence of smaller Android phones like the Pixel 9, Galaxy S25, and OnePlus 13, Gboard is adapting to limited screen space.

 

A new setting hides the number row during regular typing and activates it only when entering passwords or numeric fields.

 

This helps declutter the keyboard and improve visibility on compact displays.

 

Design Customization: Make It Yours

 

Gboard now allows users to choose their preferred key shape, offering circular, pill-shaped, and traditional rectangular options.

 

This update follows user feedback from earlier design experiments and puts aesthetic control back in the hands of users.

 

Combined with existing theme and layout options, Gboard is becoming one of the most customizable keyboards on Android.

 

Availability and Rollout

 

These features are currently in testing and available only to Gboard beta users.

 

Google has not confirmed a public release date, but the updates are expected to roll out gradually based on user feedback and performance.

 

Users interested in early access can join the Gboard beta program via the Google Play Store.

 

Conclusion

 

Google’s latest Gboard updates mark a significant leap in mobile typing technology. By blending AI intelligence with ergonomic design and user customization, Gboard is positioning itself as more than just a keyboard—it’s a writing assistant, a productivity tool, and a creative companion. As these features mature and reach wider audiences, Android users can look forward to a faster, smarter, and more personalized typing experience.

 

Sources: Google Blog, The Daily Jagran, Indian Express