Gboard, formerly known as Google Keyboard on Android, is getting a handful of new features — some of which have been available on its iOS counterpart for some time. Notably, you can now translate text in real time in the subject box, and the app will also suggest emojis and GIFs as you type.
While you’re typing, you’ll get emoji as well as GIF searches in the suggestion strip above the keyboard. GIFs from the keyboard can only be shared with certain apps, but it looks like Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are finally supported, in addition to Hangouts and Allo.
But one of the coolest features in the new update involves translating in real time via Google Translate. Tap the Google icon and then tap the Translate button. You’ll be able to choose what language you’re typing in (it can automatically detect it), and choose the language you want to speak. It all works in real time, so as you type you’ll see the text being translated into your preferred language. This works with any of the more than 90 languages that Google Translate supports.
One minor drawback worth noting is that translation only works online — even if you’ve saved a language for offline use.
Another neat update is how voice typing is handled — rather than taking over your whole keyboard, the suggestion strip will act as the “Listening” tab and will add your voice-inputted text. This feature isn’t live for us yet, so it may require a server-side switch from Google.
The theming section has also been updated for a new look that offers “scenic views” as your keyboard’s backdrop. You can access these by tapping the Google icon and heading to the keyboard’s settings and “themes.” The company says it will be offering more themes from now on, so keep an eye on the section in the future to see what’s new.
Gboard’s main features now work for right-to-left languages like Arabic and Farsi. The update is available on the Google Play Store, and many of these features are already live on the iOS version of the app.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.