Gboard is about to be given a makeover. At first glance, it will evoke a strong reaction from its base and delight casual and professional users. Recent leaks point to Circle and Pill-Shaped key designs on Google’s keyboard, which may spice up the typing experience. 

Google appears to be devoted to improving Gboard’s interface. It offers users more control over appearance options, offering a more personalized and visually pleasing typing experience.

A Departure from the Traditional Square Keys

Gboard has been following the regular square key layout for years. Although not functional and perhaps a little uninspired, this design works well. 

A major advancement is the introduction of circular and pill-shaped keys. They may have a more visually pleasing, more contemporary look.

What We Know About the Testing

Google has been testing the visual transformation of key shapes on Gboard. The company’s key focus is in that regard. 

They introduce circular keys, which have a softer appearance. Also, pill-shaped keys provide a slight elongation and rounded rectangular appearance. These are purely cosmetic changes to better the keyboard's look and not much else.

The testing has been put in a limited rollout. Only a few users can access the changes in the design. Google can learn from this controlled release how the new key shapes will affect the product overall.

Potential Benefits of the New Key Designs

Modern Aesthetic:

Circular and pill-shaped keys lend a more modern, nicer-looking way to organize the keyboard interface.

Improved User Experience:

The changes appear to be cosmetic. It reduces the effort required to strike a key. The unpleasant feel of your fingers can enhance the typing experience without adding complexity.

Increased Customization:

If these new key designs are used, users can choose key designs they love.

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks

Learning Curve:

Also, those users of the traditional square key layouts must adapt to the new key shapes.

Accuracy Concerns:

If you type fast or have large digits, you should be concerned that changing the shapes can impact typing accuracy. Google will have to maintain accuracy.

Consistency:

This means that Google will have to create new key shapes. They will be incorporated into the existing Android design language.

The Future of Gboard's Design

Gboard is constantly tested with Circle and Pill-Shaped keys as Google wants to perfect the keyboard’s design and navigation. Let's face it: beauty and usability are always welcome. These potential changes add to that by improving beauty and usability while affording the function on which these depend.

It is still unclear whether these new key shapes will become a standard here to stay. However, the fact that they are currently being tested implies Google’s constant experimenting and innovation. Gboard has always been on the edge of characterizing and improving user interaction.

The Wrap Up

For the popular keyboard app, the idea of Gboard moving from rectangular to circular and pill-shaped keys is a big visual change. 

It’s still in the early stages of testing. In this messaging, Google’s choice of words suggests they’re trying to transport users to something slightly more modern and flexible. 

As a Gboard grows and matures, users will see more and better Android keyboard experience improvements.

More Reading: Gboard Surpasses 10 Billion Downloads on the Play Store