Pixel phones may not be perfect, but Google’s commitment to regularly updating them with new features is unmatched by any other Android manufacturer.
Pixel Feature Drops have become highlights of the year for Pixel fans, as they bring exciting new features exclusively to Pixel phones.
However, I’ve found that my excitement over new features on my Pixel has waned due to the focus on AI apps and features.
I was thus pleasantly surprised when I stumbled across a Gboard feature that I had never noticed before.
I’ve used the app’s voice typing feature occasionally, but it was recently updated with advanced editing features that make it feel like you’re dictating to a real person.
Bizarrely, it’s unclear exactly when each element arrived. I don’t know why Google isn’t advertising it more, as it’s changed how I dictate to my phone.
Gboard is capable of far more than you think
Google has quietly updated Gboard with a variety of improvements to voice typing over the past year, and it’s now capable of accurately transcribing your speech with minimal typos.
If you’ve used Gboard for any length of time, you’re probably aware of this, but you may not know about the commands at your disposal.
On a Google Pixel 9 or later device, you can use Gemini to proofread, rephrase, or change the tone or length of text. These features are powered by Gemini Nano v2, hence their limited availability.
On a Pixel 8 or later, you can edit your message with commands to insert, delete, replace, spell out, or capitalize text.
Combined, this gives you a massive amount of control over voice typing. It takes some getting used to, but the trick for me was to treat my phone like a real person transcribing my words.
Google’s support page has the full list of commands, and you can explore them on your phone by tapping the (i) button in Gboard’s toolbar while voice typing.
However, the best way to demonstrate it is to show you how it works in real-time.
Gboard’s transcription in action
Some quirks, but overall impressive
Here’s a short recording of me drafting the start of an imaginary cover letter. I use Gboard to spell my name correctly, capitalize titles, lengthen and formalize the text, and proofread it.
I left significant pauses to make it clear what’s happening, but in my day-to-day dictation, I speak and make corrections at my normal speaking rate.
Interestingly, Gboard is more accurate the more naturally I speak. Leaving long pauses seems to confuse it as it tries to understand your speaking patterns.
You’ll note that in this recording, it makes one error. I asked Gboard to “Capitalize chief and manager,” but it only capitalized the first word. This is the most noticeable inconsistency.
Capitalizing single words is seamless, but Gboard usually misses the last word when you ask it to capitalize every word in a sentence.
Occasionally, it’ll get it right, but more often than not, you need to speak the command twice.
Gboard excels at replacing words, which is where I use it most. After reading a text message, I can ask Gboard to change a word or phrase, which it does perfectly. It can even understand context to add the correct spelling.
Whether you like Gboard’s Gemini-powered tools or not is a matter of personal preference (I rarely find a need for them), but its proofreading tool is difficult to ignore.
In my day-to-day texting, I’ll usually ask Gboard to proofread an important message, then use the advanced voice controls to make edits.
There’s a learning curve you need to overcome
Gboard’s voice typing tools don’t tend to result in many grammatical errors, but there are plenty of quirks you need to get used to.
It’s an awkward learning curve, but if you follow these tips, you’ll have mastered the feature in no time.
Speak naturally
You may want to speak as slowly and precisely as possible for clear transcription.
However, Gboard relies on the natural pauses in your speaking pattern to know where to apply punctuation, spaces, and make changes.
Proofread as soon as you finish typing
Gboard’s Gemini-powered proofreading tool can catch most grammatical and spelling errors without you needing to edit them yourself.
If you spot an error, ask Gemini to proofread it first.
Edit as you go
If you need to make non-grammatical changes or corrections, ask Gboard to correct them after you finish the sentence.
Gboard can only make detailed edits when the cursor is within two sentences of the words you want to edit.
Watch for the blue edit text
When Gboard has understood your command, it applies a blue highlight to the text before it executes the command.
While some commands (from my testing, mostly capitalization) require confirmation, you can usually keep talking. You don’t need to wait for Gboard to fully apply the correction, which allows you to keep talking without long and frustrating pauses.
Gboard is packed with potential
Opening Gboard’s toolbox has completely changed how I type messages.
While I rarely dictate whole messages, I regularly use it to make changes and proofread my text. Gboard isn’t just about voice typing. There are powerful tools packed into every part of the app.
It proves that Pixels are still about exciting features, even if Google doesn’t tell you about them.
