16 Slick Tricks for Smarter Android Voice Typing
Remember the days when using your voice to type felt like something out of a sci-fi movie? Android’s voice input feature was truly groundbreaking, offering a hands-free alternative to tapping away on your screen. While voice typing has become a standard feature, its full potential often goes unnoticed by many users. Google’s text-to-speech system on Android has evolved significantly, introducing a range of handy tricks and tools that can streamline your typing experience.
Android Voice Typing Tricks: The Universal Options
Before we delve into the slick tricks available, it’s essential to understand that most of these features are closely tied to Google’s Gboard keyboard app. If you’re not already using Gboard, consider making the switch for an enhanced typing experience. Now, let’s explore some hidden gems that can revolutionize how you interact with your Android device.
1. Your On-Demand Voice Typing Bar
One of the latest additions to Android voice typing is the ability to hide your on-screen keyboard completely. By tapping the microphone icon in Gboard and selecting the double down-arrow icon, you can enjoy a clutter-free interface, maximizing your screen real estate for seamless voice typing.
2. Typing Bar Choices
Once in the voice typing toolbar mode, explore the option to switch between vertical and horizontal setups. This flexibility allows you to customize the toolbar location for optimal efficiency based on your preferences and the task at hand.
3. Drag and Drop Action
Take customization a step further by dragging the Gboard voice typing toolbar to different positions on your screen. This feature empowers you to create a personalized typing experience that suits your workflow.
4. Speedier Speaking
Enhance your voice typing speed by enabling “Faster voice typing” in Gboard settings. This setting optimizes the speech-to-text engine for quicker and more efficient voice recognition, whether you’re online or offline.
5. Spoken Symbols
Don’t overlook the power of spoken punctuation while voice typing. Incorporating symbols like commas, periods, and question marks can elevate the professionalism and readability of your voice-typed messages.
6. Summoned Smiles
Beyond punctuation, Gboard supports voice commands for common emoji symbols. Experiment with spoken cues like “smiley face emoji” or “heart emoji” to effortlessly insert emojis into your text messages.
7. Broken Lines
Maintain readability in your voice-typed text by inserting line breaks with simple commands like “enter” or “new line.” These commands create space between thoughts and paragraphs, enhancing the structure of your messages.
8. Paragraph Power
For a double line break, utilize the “new paragraph” command to segment your text effectively. This command is ideal for creating distinct sections within your voice-typed content.
Android Voice Typing Tricks: The Pixel-Only Possibilities
Exclusive to Pixel devices, these advanced voice typing commands offer additional conveniences for hands-free typing. If you’re using a Pixel 6 or newer model, leverage these features to further enhance your voice typing experience.
9. The Open Mic
Keep the Gboard microphone open indefinitely for continuous dictation by double-tapping the mic icon. This feature is perfect for scenarios where you need uninterrupted voice input for extended periods.
10. The Instant Stop
Instantly halt voice input by saying “stop” while dictating text. This command efficiently closes the microphone without requiring any physical interaction with your device.
11. The Instant Send
In messaging apps like Google Messages and Slack, saying “send” will transmit your voice-typed message instantly. This seamless command eliminates the need to tap send manually, streamlining your communication.
12. Quick Corrections
Correct errors on the fly with voice commands like “delete,” “clear,” “clear all,” and “undo.” These commands provide efficient ways to rectify mistakes without interrupting your voice typing flow.
13. Retroactive Replacing
If a word is transcribed incorrectly, tap the word and speak the correct word to replace it. This feature allows for quick corrections without deleting and retyping entire sections of text.
14. Form Flailing
Navigate through online forms effortlessly using commands like “next” and “previous.” These voice commands streamline form completion, saving time and effort when filling out digital forms.
15. Punctual Punctuating
Enable automatic punctuation in Gboard settings to let the system handle punctuation while voice typing. This feature simplifies the typing process, ensuring accurate punctuation placement in your voice-typed messages.
16. Language Lobbin’
For multilingual users, Gboard can automatically recognize and switch between supported languages during voice typing. Activate the “Auto-switch language” option in Gboard settings to seamlessly transition between languages while dictating text.
By exploring these slick tricks and features, you can unlock the full potential of Android voice typing, making your typing experience smarter and more efficient. Embrace the power of voice input and elevate your productivity on Android devices.