Google Gboard mobile input method tests new feature: OCR tool “Text Scan”

9to5Google discovered in the latest test that Google is about to add a new tool to its own keyboard application Gboard: a text scanning function based on OCR technology .

According to reports, this feature was discovered in the latest beta version (13.6) of Gboard Android and is still hidden by default. The screenshot shows that this function can be dragged to the ribbon above the keyboard, similar to “Translate”, “Clipboard”, etc. Of course, if users want to use this feature, they must first grant Gboard camera permission.

▲ Picture source 9to5Google, the same below

After turning on “Text Scan”, the keyboard originally located in the lower half of the screen will become a viewfinder, and users can capture and scan text through the corresponding buttons . After pressing the “Shutter” button, Gboard will highlight the text in the photo. After clicking, you can complete copy, paste, edit and other functions. Select the text and insert it into the input field.

According to the foreign media’s tests, the text scanning accuracy built into Gboard is “almost consistent” with other Google products, and the implementation is very simple and straightforward.

Naijatechnews Note: Prior to this, Google’s “smart lens” Google Lens and Google’s own “photo album” application Google Photos both had built-in OCR text scanning functions, and also supported functions such as portrait and object recognition or integration.