Google Keyboard v5.0 with one hand typing is the massive update

Off late Google has not added anything substantial to its Keyboard app that has been available in the Google Play Store for quite some time now. Turns out, it did have plenty in store and all of it arrives in a massive update tagged as v5.0 that is out now for download according to Android Police. The new Google Keyboard v5.0 comes with plenty of new features and some much-needed improvements in the form of gestures, layouts and more.

Starting with the new layout and design themes, the holo theme has finally got the boot. For those who will miss it, Google has now included a checkbox in Settings for key borders, that should now give each key its own space. Additionally, users can now also adjust the height of the keyboard as well. Add to that the new one handed mode that minimises keyboard to the right of left side by long-pressing on the comma key.

The next big change is to do with gestures. For those who use the gesture typing feature, the dynamic floating preview will no longer get in your way. The suggestions now appear where they are supposed to, in the suggestions box and are highlighted in the teal green colour. Deleting has also gotten easier. After swiping your way through a sentence, you can now swipe left on the delete key to highlight and then delete text when you lift your finger.

More features come in the form of a new delete gesture that lets you delete unwanted or mistyped words or even suggestions on the fly. All you have to do is press down on the incorrect word and drag it to the bin that appears on above the suggestions area.

There are other bug fixes and improvements as well. And as always Google will be rolling out the update gradually. If you cannot wait, head over to apkmirror, download the update and install the .apk files manually.