Google keyboard v5.0 update introduces one-hand typing, gesture control

Mumbai: Technology giant Google has surfaced with its latest Android keyboard v.50 update, which gives users the liberty to type using one hand, along with a slew of customisation options, as per media reports.

While there had been no significant update to the keyboard for a long period, the new update clearly answers all the questions. The new update is currently available on Google Play Store.

The new update accompanies numerous design changes – The Holo White and Blue themes which have been around since KitKat series have been removed.

Moreover, the bland keyboard comes with enhanced options; users can now enable borders between the keys for easier operation and the emoji button has been shifted to the special character menu.

New gestures

Apart from the new design, users are also entitled to play around with the height of the keyboard utilising 5 options, starting from short to tall with normal in the middle.

Moving on, the best feature of the V5.0updateis the one-handed mode functionality; a feature for Google Keyboard’s left-handed user base. The one-handed keyboard can be enabled by long pressing the comma (,).

Users who were fond of the dynamic preview toggle won’t be able to use the feature as it has been removed.

However, there is nothing to worry as a completely new feature, dubbed gesture cursor control, has been integrated. This allows the cursor to be moved by swiping left or right across the spacebar.

Moving on, another interesting functionality with the new update allows users to erase or highlight entire words instead of single characters by sliding left from the delete key.

While text correction features have not received any updates, the V5.0 keyboard update allows users to share some inputs to the main app to improve the experience for everyone.