Google rolled out a new update to Gboard bringing version number to V6.9, while the update doesn’t bring any major changes, it does hint at many upcoming features. The update hints at Smart Reply suggestions, new keyboard, creating own GIFs and more.
Smart reply suggestions for incoming notifications are available to most Google apps like Allo, Gmail, and Inbox and it is now finding its way to Gboard as well. This feature will be showing smart reply suggestions based on the preceding messages while replying from the notification shade in the row above the keyboard. For this feature to get activated, users need to give Gboard “Notification access” in system settings.
The V6.9 adds more details to the creating own Gif functionality. Details like how users can start recording by tapping a new “Make a GIF” button are quite evident. The V6.9 APK also reveals strings related to “Universal Media Keyboard” that can “Search all media.” Once it is activated, a new icon will show up next to the alongside GIF, sticker and emoji search. Features of this function could be a universal search for all of Gboard’s expressive feature or searching news media and articles.
Google’s Gboard will soon add more detailed Bitmoji interface since the since the introduction of stickers in version V6.5. The further app version will include a “Whats New’ section which will detail the new features added with the update. You can wait for Google to push the Gboard V6.9 beta update via Play Store or simply download the APK from here to side-load manually.