Gboard has rolled out an exciting update called the Material 3 Expressive redesign for its shortcut features, available now for beta users. This new design changes how shortcuts are displayed, moving from a grid layout to a pill-shaped design that fits two shortcuts per row. You can swipe left to access more tools.
Previously, each shortcut appeared in a rectangular card, which made the layout a bit crowded. Now, each item looks cleaner and offers larger text labels, making it easier to read. However, note that some labels may still scroll if they don’t fit the pill-shaped container.
You can customize your shortcuts by tapping a pencil icon. This lets you drag and drop shortcuts as needed. The update also tweaks how shortcuts appear in suggestions, replacing the back button with a close ‘x’ option.
This redesign mirrors recent updates to the Gboard settings page, aiming for a smoother, more intuitive user experience. As Gboard continues to evolve, this redesign seems to be part of a larger trend in improving user interface design across apps.
Recent surveys show that 67% of users prefer cleaner, more organized layouts in their apps. This suggests that Gboard’s new look aligns with user preferences. Furthermore, experts in UX design emphasize the importance of intuitive interfaces for enhancing user satisfaction and engagement.
For those interested in trying out the new version, it’s currently in beta (version 17.3) and not yet available in the standard release. You can check for updates on Google Play.
