When it comes to typing on our smartphones, the keyboard app can make all the difference. A good keyboard app can enhance productivity, improve accuracy, and even provide a better overall user experience. Two of the most popular keyboard apps are Gboard and iOS Keyboard, both of which have their own set of features and advantages. But the question remains: is Gboard better than iOS Keyboard?
The Design and Layout
One of the first things users notice when switching between Gboard and iOS Keyboard is the design and layout. Gboard’s design is more modern and sleek, with a minimalist approach that appeals to many users. The keyboard layout is also more compact, making it easier to type on smaller screens. Additionally, Gboard’s keyboard layout is more customizable, allowing users to resize the keyboard, change the theme, and even adjust the keyboard’s height.
On the other hand, iOS Keyboard’s design is more traditional and familiar to iOS users. The keyboard layout is slightly larger than Gboard’s, which can be beneficial for users with larger fingers or those who prefer a more spaced-out typing experience. However, iOS Keyboard’s design is not as customizable as Gboard’s, and users are limited to a few pre-set themes and layouts.
Gesture Typing and Swipe Typing
One of the most significant advantages of Gboard is its gesture typing feature. This feature allows users to type words by sliding their fingers across the keyboard, rather than tapping individual keys. Gesture typing is incredibly convenient and can significantly improve typing speed and accuracy. Additionally, Gboard’s gesture typing is more intuitive and accurate than iOS Keyboard’s swipe typing feature.
iOS Keyboard’s swipe typing feature is not as seamless as Gboard’s gesture typing. While it does allow users to type words by swiping across the keyboard, the feature is not as accurate and can be frustrating to use at times. Furthermore, iOS Keyboard’s swipe typing feature is not as customizable as Gboard’s, and users are limited to a few pre-set swipe patterns.
Emoji and GIF Integration
When it comes to emoji and GIF integration, Gboard is the clear winner. Gboard’s emoji and GIF integration is incredibly intuitive and seamless, allowing users to search and send emojis and GIFs directly from the keyboard. This feature is especially useful for social media enthusiasts and those who love to add a touch of personality to their texts.
iOS Keyboard’s emoji and GIF integration is not as seamless as Gboard’s. While it does allow users to access emojis and GIFs from the keyboard, the feature is not as intuitive and requires multiple taps to access. Furthermore, iOS Keyboard’s emoji and GIF integration is limited to a few pre-set options, which can be frustrating for users who want more variety.
Multilingual Support and Language Features
For users who speak multiple languages, Gboard’s multilingual support is a game-changer. Gboard supports over 100 languages, including many minority languages and dialects. Additionally, Gboard’s language features are incredibly advanced, allowing users to switch between languages seamlessly and even providing real-time language translations.
iOS Keyboard’s multilingual support is not as extensive as Gboard’s, with support for around 40 languages. While iOS Keyboard does provide some language features, such as predictive text and autocorrect, they are not as advanced as Gboard’s. Furthermore, iOS Keyboard’s language switching feature is not as seamless as Gboard’s, requiring users to manually switch between languages.
Autocomplete and Suggestions
When it comes to autocomplete and suggestions, both Gboard and iOS Keyboard provide excellent features. Gboard’s autocomplete feature is incredibly accurate, providing users with relevant suggestions based on their typing habits and language usage. Additionally, Gboard’s suggestion feature is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust the type of suggestions they receive.
iOS Keyboard’s autocomplete feature is also highly accurate, but it lacks the level of customization provided by Gboard. iOS Keyboard’s suggestion feature is more geared towards providing grammatical corrections and sentence completions, rather than providing personalized suggestions based on user behavior.
Personalization and User Data
One of the most significant concerns for users is the handling of personal data and user information. Gboard’s approach to user data is highly transparent, with clear opt-in options for features like gesture typing and language suggestions. Additionally, Gboard’s privacy policy is easy to understand and provides users with control over their data.
iOS Keyboard’s approach to user data is more opaque, with limited transparency and control over user information. While iOS Keyboard does provide some opt-in options for features like predictive text, the app’s privacy policy is more complex and difficult to understand.
Additional Features and Integrations
Both Gboard and iOS Keyboard provide a range of additional features and integrations that enhance the typing experience.
Gboard’s integrations include:
- Google search integration, allowing users to search the web directly from the keyboard
- YouTube integration, allowing users to search and share YouTube videos directly from the keyboard
- Maps integration, allowing users to search and share locations directly from the keyboard
- Integration with other Google apps, such as Google Drive and Google Photos
iOS Keyboard’s integrations include:
- Integration with Siri, allowing users to use voice commands to type messages
- Integration with the iOS clipboard, allowing users to easily copy and paste text
- Integration with the iOS share sheet, allowing users to share content from other apps directly from the keyboard
Conclusion
So, is Gboard better than iOS Keyboard? The answer ultimately depends on user preferences and needs. For users who value a modern design, customizable layout, and advanced language features, Gboard is the clear winner. Additionally, Gboard’s gesture typing feature, emoji and GIF integration, and multilingual support make it an incredibly powerful and intuitive keyboard app.
However, for users who prefer a more traditional design and are deeply invested in the iOS ecosystem, iOS Keyboard is still a solid choice. iOS Keyboard’s simplicity and familiarity make it an excellent option for users who want a hassle-free typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between Gboard and iOS Keyboard comes down to individual preferences and needs. Both apps have their strengths and weaknesses, and users should carefully consider their options before making a decision.
Is Gboard available on iOS devices?
Gboard is indeed available on iOS devices, and it has been since 2016. Apple allows third-party keyboards on its devices, and Gboard is one of the most popular alternatives to the built-in iOS keyboard. To download Gboard on your iOS device, simply head to the App Store, search for “Gboard,” and follow the installation instructions.
Once installed, you can switch between Gboard and the iOS keyboard by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and then selecting Gboard from the list of available keyboards. You can also switch keyboards while typing by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard and selecting Gboard from the menu. This allows you to easily switch between the two keyboards and see which one works best for you.
Does Gboard offer more language options than iOS Keyboard?
Yes, Gboard offers a significantly larger number of language options than the iOS keyboard. While the iOS keyboard supports around 40 languages, Gboard supports over 500 languages. This makes Gboard a much better option for users who need to type in multiple languages or for those who want to communicate with friends and family in their native language.
In addition to supporting more languages, Gboard also offers more language-specific features, such as keyboard layouts and input methods. For example, Gboard offers a range of different keyboard layouts for languages like Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese, making it easier to type in these languages. This makes Gboard a much more versatile and flexible option for users who need to communicate in multiple languages.
Is Gboard more customizable than iOS Keyboard?
Gboard offers more customization options than the iOS keyboard. While both keyboards allow you to adjust settings like auto-correct and text replacement, Gboard takes customization to the next level. For example, Gboard allows you to resize the keyboard, adjust the keyboard height, and even customize the keyboard’s theme.
Gboard also offers more advanced gesture typing features, such as gesture delete and gesture cursor control. This allows you to more easily navigate the keyboard and correct mistakes as you type. Additionally, Gboard integrates with other Google services, such as Google Search and Google Maps, allowing you to access information and perform tasks more easily from within the keyboard.
Does Gboard offer better autocorrect than iOS Keyboard?
Gboard’s autocorrect feature is generally considered to be more accurate and more advanced than the iOS keyboard’s autocorrect feature. Gboard’s autocorrect is powered by Google’s machine learning algorithms, which allow it to learn and adapt to your typing habits over time.
This means that Gboard is better able to recognize and correct common typos and mistakes, and it’s also more likely to suggest the correct word or phrase based on the context of your message. In addition, Gboard’s autocorrect feature is more customizable, allowing you to adjust the level of correction and even add custom words and phrases to the dictionary.
Can I use Gboard with other Google services?
Yes, Gboard integrates seamlessly with other Google services, such as Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Translate. This allows you to access information and perform tasks more easily from within the keyboard.
For example, you can use Gboard to search for information on Google without leaving the app you’re currently using. You can also use Gboard to get directions to a location using Google Maps, or to translate text using Google Translate. This makes Gboard a much more powerful and versatile keyboard than the iOS keyboard.
Is Gboard more secure than iOS Keyboard?
Gboard takes security very seriously, and it offers a number of features to help keep your data safe. For example, Gboard uses SSL encryption to protect your data as it’s transmitted between your device and Google’s servers.
Gboard also allows you to opt out of sharing your typing data with Google, giving you more control over your privacy. Additionally, Gboard is subject to Google’s rigorous security testing and validation process, which helps to identify and fix security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Will using Gboard slow down my iPhone?
No, using Gboard will not slow down your iPhone. Gboard is a highly optimized app that’s designed to work efficiently and quickly on iOS devices.
In fact, Gboard is often faster and more responsive than the iOS keyboard, thanks to its advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities. This means that you can type faster and more accurately with Gboard, without sacrificing performance. Additionally, Gboard is regularly updated with performance improvements and bug fixes, ensuring that it continues to work smoothly and efficiently over time.