Google introduced the “Voice Toolbar” as part of its new March Pixel Feature Drop which also included Gboard during earlier announcements before this week. The Voice Toolbar turned into a recognized feature by Google even though it originated as a Beta implementation on limited devices about one month ago.
The official Feature Drop release seems to extend this feature to more users who now get to experience its attractive design.The new Voice Toolbar appears within my beta version of Gboard as I am using build 15.1.05.726012951. The link to join the Gboard beta program is available for users who want to join. After updating the keyboard system open the typing icon to start hearing directions from the prompts.
What is this Gboard voice toolbar
This function enables frequent voice typists to increase their screen view while keeping the keyboard out of sight. The new feature combines a better voice interface with predictive sentence completion and built-in emoji suggestion. Through voice commands you can send text messages or clear text fields without needing to press buttons.
To activate it, you’ll hit the voice typing icon in Gboard and then press a new down-arrow icon next to it. This down-arrow button will shrink the keyboard into the Voice Toolbar at the bottom of your screen, where you can then speak away at your device. It’ll remain there unless you hit the keyboard button to expand to the full keyboard again, plus you can move the toolbar around.
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As you’ll see in the image below, the Voice Toolbar can sit off to the left or right side of your screen, float in the middle, stick to the top, or head back to the bottom. All it takes is a flick to pin it up top or a swipe to the left/right areas to allow it to float there. When in toolbar mode, you’ll still have delete, keyboard, and menu keys to at least keep some handy buttons available.
And that’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s a nice little addition for those of us who voice type a lot.
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