Google is expected to roll out the first stable build of Android 11 later this year in September. As with previous iterations, the upcoming release will bring a ton of new features to the operating system, most of which we’ve already seen in recent Android 11 developer preview and beta releases. Along with noteworthy features like new media controls, native screen recorder, and bubble notifications, Android 11 will also include 62 new emoji that were announced earlier this year as part of Unicode 13. The Gboard keyboard app has already added support for the new emoji in preparation for the Android 11 release. And now, the app is also getting a new emoji shortcuts bar to help you use these new emoji quickly.
As you can see in the attached GIF, the new emoji shortcuts bar in Gboard will appear right above the keyboard. With the emoji bar, you’ll be able to quickly use multiple emoji without having to switch to the dedicated emoji page on the keyboard.
In the current version of Gboard, you have to tap on the emoji icon next to the space bar in order to open the emoji page. You can then select whatever emoji you wish to share from one of the several tabs in the emoji page. With the addition of the shortcut bar, all your frequently used emoji will be available at the top of the keyboard which will decrease one step from the process. However, if you wish to use an emoji that doesn’t appear in the shortcut bar, the process will remain unchanged.
As you can see in the attached GIF, the new emoji shortcuts bar in Gboard will appear right above the keyboard. With the emoji bar, you’ll be able to quickly use multiple emoji without having to switch to the dedicated emoji page on the keyboard.
