Additionally, tapping the button in the top-left corner displays a new grid layout for the remaining shortcuts that is denser than the previous one. The “Language Switcher” feature was just recently implemented, whereas Gboard provides a more detailed explanation of how to use the “Hold and drag to customize” function. Until recently, it wasn’t completely obvious how to accomplish that.
There is also one additional change to the user interface that directly affects the tablet layout. The full tablet Gboard UI debuted back in October, but should the changes in the code pan out, it looks like we will get an additional “?123” shortcut in the bottom-right corner. This would take the place of the dedicated key that hides the keyboard as seen in the below screenshots from 9to5Google:
As usual, with APK teardowns there is no guarantee that any of these features will actually make it to the final product or when exactly they will be implemented. However, because so much work has already been done by Google to promote tablet mode, perhaps in preparation for the Pixel Fold’s debut, I believe there is a really good chance we will be seeing these changes happen sooner rather than later.
