Gboard, Google’s default software keyboard, should be well-known among Android phone users. Recent reports have highlighted major changes to Gboard’s look and feel, and many users are voicing their worries regarding these changes.
It now appears that Google is proposing a complete design overhaul for Gboard, which, to some people, seems to be a bad move. Over the past couple of days, Android users on various platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have shared screenshots showing pill-shaped or round new buttons on the Gboard, moving away from an age-old design.
This seems to have been a design change done out of the blue, and that has irked a few users. Most feedback posted online is negative, as most users affected cannot find an option in settings to pick a design or layout they prefer: it is all or nothing.
As we all know, Google has a habit of running A/B tests where different beta versions of the same app run concurrently with the sole purpose of gauging user response. However, this approach is largely limited to beta users. Therefore, non-beta users of Gboard are not supposed to see these changes.
Reports are saying that Google is testing three styles of buttons for Gboard: the original familiar look, rounded pill-shape buttons, and some circular buttons that many find rather odd for a phone. Some of these new styles almost remind one of Samsung’s old on-screen keyboards.
Many complaints on Reddit indicate that this test phase is not well-received among users. There is no means of picking between the three designs, so users will simply have to take whatever version is pushed from Google.
Some users have managed to change themes to get rid of the weird shapes in the beta. One user said switching to the default theme option “Dynamic Color” under Gboard settings restores the keyboard back to its previous appearance.
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