'What is Gboard?': Google's smart keyboard for phones and tablets, explained

Gboard is a virtual typing app developed for Android and iOS. While it's the default keyboard on several devices, it can also be installed. Gboard combines the modern mobile keyboard with fun, and helpful Google features. 

Here's everything you need to know about Google's keyboard. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $859.99 at Walmart)

Google Pixel 4 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

What you need to know about Gboard, Google's virtual keyboard

Gboard has a ton of features that make communicating on a mobile screen and with a smaller keyboard easier. It features standard tools like Google Search and a predictive typing engine, but it also supports more than 900 languages and a floating keyboard.

Over the years, various updates have expanded Gboard's capabilities, from Google Translate and offline voice recognition to voice dictation and glide typing, which takes the pecking out of texting. 

Tapping the taskbar above your Gboard keyboard opens a window to Google Search, where you can find news headlines, weather, sports scores, and more. When you find something you want to share, tap it and watch as the link is automatically added to your email, text, or other text apps you're using. The keyboard's text editing tool makes selecting, copying, and pasting text faster and more precise than the traditional method of tapping and dragging your finger. 

But Gboard isn't all work, and a number of keyboard options make having fun more accessible. Gboard offers users the ability to add a personal image from your camera roll as your keyboard background, and its smart GIF suggestions feature identifies GIFs relevant to text written, so you don't have to go looking for what you really want to say. Gboard also features an emoji library, stickers, and a handwriting mode when you want to add your personal flair. 

Most Android phones have Gboard pre-installed, but Android users can download the virtual from the Google Play Store. iPhone users can also install Gboard from Apple's App Store. 

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to clear your Gboard keyboard history on an iPhone or Android device

• How to update the Gboard app on your Android device in 2 easy steps