Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Summary
- Google is set to introduce a new Gboard feature that allows users to disable automatic spaces following word suggestions.
- Currently, Gboard adds a space automatically after selecting a suggested word.
- This option was discovered in a recent APK analysis and functions correctly during testing.
Today, it was reported that Google is developing an innovative feature for Gboard which could translate sign language recorded through a smartphone camera into written text. This advancement could significantly benefit users who communicate via sign language. Additionally, Google seems to be refining a typing feature that, while less groundbreaking, will enhance control for a broader spectrum of Gboard users regarding automatic spacing.
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Currently, Gboard automatically adds a space after selecting a word from the autocorrect suggestions. While this feature may be convenient for continuing sentences, it can lead to unwanted gaps when users intend to add punctuation or link something directly to the chosen word. Customization in such minor aspects is generally desired by users.
Google seems to acknowledge this need. During our exploration of the app, we found a new toggle labeled ‘Auto-space after suggestions’ within Gboard’s Corrections & suggestions settings. This feature allows users to control whether a space is added after selecting a word from the suggestions. A screenshot illustrates this toggle clearly.
AssembleDebug / Android Authority
The feature has been confirmed to function properly in our tests. When disabled, Gboard refrains from adding spaces, while the current behavior remains intact if enabled.
This toggle feature is still not publicly available, and its eventual release is uncertain. Nevertheless, considering it offers a straightforward enhancement for users frustrated by automatic spacing, it is likely to appear in a stable version soon.
⚠️ An APK teardown is a method of predicting future service features based on experimental code. However, it is important to note that such anticipated features may not necessarily be included in a public launch.
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