Gboard, the keyboard from Google for smartphones, has been getting a lot of attention lately. We’ve seen the new autofill forms and the undo and redo shortcuts. Gboard is now getting a new font setting. Reports are stating that the new font setting allows users to set their preferred font size. All these features, no doubt, will enhance accessibility for many users.
Gboard is getting a font resizing option
Google is bringing the ability for Gboard users to resize their fonts across the Android ecosystem. This new feature makes it possible for users to set their preferred font size “between 85% and 200%” according to Android Authority which reports seeing it in a beta. They also report that the feature appears selectively on some devices, but will eventually roll out more widely.
What is available in the current beta version
The preset values that are available are in a range from 15 to 30 percent, between 85% and 200%. And to resize to your preferred font size, Google is using a slider interface, as seen in the screenshot below. This would likely indicate that the ranges we see now (in beta build) could change. Also, the fact that font sizes can be set to a remarkable 200% is no doubt a welcome development for users with poor vision and those with large thumbs or who have to wear large gloves. To see this new update, 9to5 Google shows that you should see a banner “Keyboard font size updated”. When you tap on the banner, you go to Settings > Preferences > Font size “(under Appearance).”
Who is getting the Gboard font resizing feature?
While Gboard is available for download for iOS users on the Apple Store, this news report only mentions spotting it in the Android version. Will it come to iOS? Who knows? It is going to be available across the Android ecosystem, however. Also, it could depend on how old or new a version of the Android operating system you are running to get it. But news from the sources above reports seeing the change font in Gboard on devices across different OEMs.
An additional feature reported by Android Authority is the ability to switch fonts. This gives you the ability to choose between a Gboard font and the System font. No doubt affording many users more customization options.
When will we see this rolled out?
As mentioned, all of this is in development. If you want to access it now, and are enrolled in the Android beta program, look out for the beta version with version number 15.9.0.799068799 for Gboard. Remember, it is only available selectively now, with a wider rollout to come soon, hopefully.
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