Google’s keyboard has been available in a split version for foldable smartphones on Android for almost a year. Now tablets can take advantage of Gboard in shared mode.
The Oppo Pad Air // Source: Chloé Pertuis for Frandroid
Foldable smartphones are becoming increasingly popular, forcing application developers to rethink their user interfaces. A work by Google for its Gboard Android keyboard, reviewed last June by splitting it in two for a better grip. Now it’s the turn of the touchpads to take advantage of this feature.
Touch tablet ergonomics are improving, thanks Gboard
It’s our colleagues at 9to5Google to point out that split keyboard appeared on their Galaxy Tab S8 with Gboard beta 12.9.21. This presentation mode allows the keyboard to be divided into two equal parts, with the same number of keys on one side as on the other side of the screen. The goal is to improve ergonomics by preventing fingers from reaching for buttons in the center of the screen.
Gboard’s split layout on a tablet // Source: 9to5Google
A layout that can be customized in the Split layout to include duplicate keys option, Settings tab, then Settings, and finally the Layout section. This allows you to duplicate certain keys that are located on either side of the keyboard.
Why Google is only now improving Gboard
With foldable phones benefiting from Gboard’s split keyboard layout for almost a year, one might wonder why Google isn’t rolling it out for tablets.
Google Pixel Tablet // Source: Frandroid
Everything indicates that it’s all about optimizing the user experience of the Pixel tablet, the first tablet in Google’s Pixel lineup. This is an essential aspect for the manufacturer, who often makes it a point of honor to take care of their Pixel Experience. This tablet will appear next month at a price of 679 euros.
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