If there’s one factor we Android-totin’ pterodactyls take without any consideration, it is simply how good we have got it in relation to typing out textual content on our pocket-sized cellphone machines.It’s all too simple to lose sight of over time, however Goog almighty, lemme inform ya: Typing on Android is an absolute delight. And all it takes is 10 seconds of making an attempt to wrestle with the on-screen keyboards on that different smartphone platform to understand our benefit.We’ve bought loads of distinctive keyboard selections ‘spherical these components, too, however Google’s Gboard keyboard has actually risen up as one of the best all-around possibility for Android enter as of late. That’s largely due to its top-notch typing fundamentals and its seamless integration of tasty Google intelligence, nevertheless it’s additionally due to all of the intelligent little shortcuts it has lurking beneath its floor.So in honor of the launch of my new Android Shortcut Supercourse — a free six-day e-mail journey that helps you uncover tons of time-saving Android treasures — be a part of me for this tour of excellent and out-of-the-way Gboard typing shortcuts. Check ’em out, attempt ’em out, after which come join the course for much more super-practical Android awesomeness.Gboard shortcut No. 1: One second to one-handedLook, there is no means round it: Sometimes, if you’re typing, it is advisable depend on a single hand. (Let’s hold the precise causes for that to ourselves, lets?) And Gboard’s bought an important one-handed typing mode that is extremely simple to entry.So the following time certainly one of your grabbers is in any other case occupied, do that: Press and maintain Gboard’s Enter key for a few second. That’ll activate the Gboard one-handed system and shrink your on-screen keyboard right down to a smaller measurement. You can then dock your fun-sized mini-keyboard to the left or proper aspect of your display for exceptionally quick access.JR From there, you need to use the controls on the display to vary the keyboard’s precise positioning. And if you’re prepared, you may as well snap it again into its regular full-width mode with one quick faucet.Pretty useful, would not ya say?Gboard shortcut No. 2: Floating keyboard magicOur subsequent Gboard trick is one we talked about earlier this summer season, however I’d be remiss if I did not no less than point out it on this assortment: In addition to that one-handed keyboard contortion, Gboard has a full-fledged floating keyboard that allows you to transfer your QWERTY companion anyplace in your display and even shrink it down right into a simpler-to-swipe super-miniature model of itself.I imply, simply take a look at that factor. Isn’t it cute?!JR I’ve bought all the information on that on this column, however what I wished to name out right here, particularly, is the shortcut related to that system: Once you have bought Gboard damaged out into that floating mode, you may merely slap the keyboard down towards the underside of your display to redock it and get again to regular. See?JR It’s quick, efficient, and damn-near therapeutic to do.Gboard shortcut No. 3: The ol’ press-and-holdOne of Gboard’s most handy Android typing shortcuts is the way in which the keyboard helps you to pull up each numbers and particular characters just by long-pressing common keys. It’s a a lot quicker approach to get to what you want than going by means of the assorted secondary screens to search out stuff (particularly if you happen to’re typing by tapping).The secret to this one resides in a tucked-away setting deep inside Gboard’s dank digital bowels. Here’s find out how to discover and activate it:Tap the three-dot menu icon inside Gboard’s higher row. (If you do not see that icon there, faucet the left-facing arrow at that row’s left edge to disclose it.)
Look for the gear-shaped Settings icon on the display that comes up.
Tap “Preferences,” then scroll all the way in which right down to the underside of that display.
See the road labeled “Long press for symbols”? Flip the toggle subsequent to that sucker to show it on — and whilst you’re at it, go forward and activate the toggle subsequent to “Popup on keypress” if it is not already activated, too.
Now simply again out of that menu and pull up Gboard once more, and you need to see a bunch o’ useful secondary key choices throughout the upper-right corners of each key in your keyboard. You can then press and maintain any key for a second or so to tug up its alternate possibility.JR If you could have a devoted quantity row on the prime of your keyboard, you may even contemplate turning it off to make the keyboard smaller — since this setup serves the identical efficient function and makes these numbers each bit as accessible. The possibility to try this is in the identical space of the Gboard settings we simply visited.Gboard shortcut No. 4: The different punctuation stationThat long-press methodology is hands-down the quickest approach to entry hottest types of punctuation on Gboard, if you happen to ask me — however a pair frequent characters are curiously lacking from that association. Among them is the standard slash (to not be confused with the standard Slash, who’s each bit as superior however not obtainable in keyboard kind).To uncover that easy slanted line all of us adore, press and maintain the Gboard interval key for a second, then slide your fingeroo over towards the left to search out and activate the suitable image.JR Don’t neglect, although, that this contains solely the elusive slash — not the elusive Slash. The closest you may get to to the latter inside Gboard is the highest hat emoji.Gboard shortcut No. 5: A speedier path to settingsSpeaking of Gboard and punctuation, this is a splendid little shortcut value submitting into the again of your person-brain for future use: The subsequent time it is advisable get into Gboard’s settings, skip the multistep methodology we went over a minute in the past and as an alternative press and maintain the keyboard’s comma key for a second, swipe up a teensy bit, after which let go.And by golly, wouldya look what occurs?JR Game, set(tings), match.Gboard shortcuts No. 6, 7, 8, and 9: The swipe sistersThis subsequent sequence of Gboard shortcuts comes from my broader Gboard tip assortment, and it is all about spectacular swipe-related time-savers in your favourite Android keyboard.The rapid-fire abstract:You can swipe your finger alongside Gboard’s house bar to maneuver your on-screen cursor while in any textual content subject.
You can swipe up from the “?123” key to search out and entry much more particular characters within the blink of a watch.
Swiping up from Gboard’s Shift key will allow you to capitalize any letter rapidly.
And swiping towards the left on the Gboard Backspace key provides you with a straightforward approach to delete a bunch o’ textual content directly.
For the complete skinny on all of these instructions and find out how to reap the benefits of ’em, look again to this beefy Gboard information.Gboard shortcut No. 10: The write stuffLast however not least right now is certainly one of Gboard’s least-known gems, and that is the keyboard’s surprisingly efficient system of on-screen writing enter.That’s proper (and likewise write): You can truly kind out textual content by scribbling it onto your display with a stylus, your finger, or some other appendage you want (cautious…). It could be a handy approach to enter textual content in the fitting type of scenario, and it is also only a enjoyable trick to attempt.To activate Gboard’s handwriting mode for your self, stomp your improbable footsies again into the keyboard’s settings, then faucet “Languages” adopted by the Add Keyboard button. Type “English (US)” (or no matter language you favor), then make sure that “Handwriting” is lively and highlighted on the prime of the display.Got it? Good. Now, simply hit the Done button to use the modifications.JR Pull up Gboard as soon as extra, and you need to now have the ability to press and maintain the house bar or hit the newly current globe icon subsequent to it to toggle between the usual keyboard setup and your snazzy new handwriting recognition system.And as soon as you have bought that handwriting canvas open, all that is left is to write down, write, write away and watch Google’s digital genie translate your illegible squiggles into common textual content virtually immediately.JR As you may see above, it really works even when your handwriting resembles the determined scrawls of a drunken toddler moose-baby. (That moose and I’ve lots in frequent.)Remember: There’s heaps extra the place this got here from. Come be a part of my free Android Shortcut Supercourse for six full days of efficiency-enhancing Android information — every little thing from quicker methods to get round your cellphone to superior app actions, higher looking secrets and techniques, and oodles of different alternatives for superior Android information.All of those saved seconds undoubtedly add up — and, equally vital, they make you are feeling like a complete tech sorcerer.
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