If you don’t like typing away on your phone’s screen, speech-to-text is a useful accessibility function. Google’s Gboard software turns your spoken thoughts into text for convenient texting. If you have a Pixel phone, you can use a convenient combination of Gboard and Google Assistant to offer more specific voice instructions. Currently, turning it on requires two steps, but Google appears to be working on reducing the process.
AssembleDebug, a frequent tipster at X (previously Twitter), delved into the code of the most recent Gboard beta version (v13.8) and discovered indications regarding a new feature termed “seamless voice typing.” If activated, Gboard’s voice typing feature will activate immediately once the keyboard appears.
Gboard Seamless voice typing
As clear from the description of the feature, it starts voice typing automatically when the keyboard is displayed.
Flag for rboard or GMS flags app users –
config_global_direct_to_dictationVersion – 13.8.03.597073932-beta@Android #Google pic.twitter.com/nMNIkgAYxC
— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) January 23, 2024
If this works properly, it may be a boon for individuals who enjoy voice typing. If you want to use voice typing on Gboard or any other keyboard software on your smartphone, you must first hit the microphone icon to bring up the voice typing interface, after which you may begin speaking.
With the seamless voice typing feature, you may begin dictation without having to repeatedly press the mic button. According to 9to5Google, this functionality is an improvement over the Assistant voice typing toolbar that appears in all of your apps.
When you turn on voice typing, the traditional numbers and letters disappear, leaving you only a little toolbar at the bottom of your screen. That being said, you must press the mic symbol every time you wish to use it, even if you only used it a moment earlier.
Although Assistant voice typing is expected to be limited to Pixel phones, seamless voice typing may allow speech-to-text on other Android phones, according to 9to5. You can always disable the function if it isn’t your thing, but it’s fantastic that Google is potentially working on something to make life simpler for voice-typing fans.
This news is based on discoveries from an APK deep dive, so take it with a pinch of salt. It is still in the shadows, so there is no certainty that it will see the light of day. And, like everything else in technology, the code may vanish at any time. Even if it does become public, don’t be shocked if there is a significant overhaul along the route.