What you need to know
- According to the report, Google plans to improve the accessibility of shortcuts on tablets and redesign menus.
- Shortcuts could be placed in a new side navigation “rail” on the side of the tablet’s display, and its menus could use a two-column approach with search functionality.
- Google introduced a shortcuts toolbar on tablet physical keyboards in 2024, upgrading the shortcuts experience for Gmail and Chat.
Google may provide a useful update to improve the keyboard experience on Android tablets.
While exploring the recent QPR1 beta, Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority) discovered Google’s (potential) keyboard shortcut menu redesign. This change appears to address one specific issue: lack of usability. Rahman said the recent QPR1 beta shows that Google wants to add a “side navigation rail” to various keyboard shortcuts on tablets.
In testing, the rail appears as a vertical bar in the shape of a pill on the left side of the tablet’s display. Tapping the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) opens a submenu with settings, additional options, and “Show keyboard shortcuts.”
Creating the menu in beta means that Google has also redesigned its shortcut menu itself. Once it appeared, Luhrmann found that certain aspects were moved to another category and included spaces. For example, the list of shortcuts occupies the right side of the shortcut menu. On the left, you’ll see categories of shortcuts that are easy to tap. It looks like Google is planning to categorize things into system, multitasking, app shortcuts, and input categories.
Additionally, users can search for shortcuts to save time. This feature works similar to the Android OS “Search” bar, such as the app drawer.
It’s also not clear when Google plans to roll this out. Raman doubts it. It was done It will arrive during the first QPR release scheduled for December 2024.
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This publication’s post describes how different the current menu is. Most elements are stacked, with a search bar at the top, followed by a list of horizontal categories and shortcuts below. In addition, users typically reach to the top of the tablet to see the shortcut menu, Rahman added. This subtle positioning change should make things easier.
The tablet keyboard experience has been a consistent theme for Google, which rolled out a shortcuts toolbar for the physical variant in January. This bar was part of the Gboard update for USB-C or Bluetooth connected keyboards. Users will find a toolbar with a “scrollable” pop-up window at the bottom of the display, and a list of shortcuts divided into categories across the screen.
The tablet also received some shortcuts updates to the Google Workspace app over the summer.
The company rolled out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 in September, and it was a pretty big update. Update highlights include fixes for Pixel Bluetooth, app crashes, stability issues, and previews of several new features. More importantly, Android 15 is rumored to be released sometime in October.
it can do everything
Google’s Pixel Tablet is like all of the company’s Pixel magic in one convenient device. Not only does it have all the Pixel-specific features you know and love, but it also doubles as a smart home hub. Users can take their Pixel Tablet on the go or prop it up on a charging speaker dock for easy viewing from bed.
