Chromebooks have begun getting the much needed Android 9 Pie update. The new update also includes the versatile Google Gboard keyboard replacement.<\/b>
\nChromebooks have begun getting the latest Android 9 Pie. Google is rolling out the updates gradually. But several users have successfully installed the versatile and powerful Google Android virtual keyboard, the GBoard, and got it working on their devices.
Laptops running Google\u2019s Chrome OS are quite popular owing to their versatility and affordability. The devices sport attractive prices owing to their non-stellar hardware. Still, these Chromebooks perform well for everyday tasks like web-surfing, light office document editing and other tasks that aren\u2019t processor intensive. Moreover, the laptops have a rather respectable battery life, and most of the applications are either lightweight or web-based, making the devices a great choice for students and office goers who do not need a powerful and heavy laptop.
Recently, the popular and capable HP Chromebook x2 received an astonishing update to Android 9 Pie update. The update was surprising primarily because the device was on the now increasingly dated Android 7.1 Nougat. Needless to mention, the Chrome OS jumped from Nougat to Pie. In other words, it skipped Android 8.1 Oreo. Incidentally, the HP Chromebook x2 was on the Chrome OS 72 Canary channel.
Google\u2019s very own Pixelbook had received the Android 9 Pie update sometime back in October. The device, too, was on the Chrome OS 72 Canary channel. Hence it was only a matter of time before other Chromebooks from popular laptop makers would start getting the Pie Update.
Strangely, some users reported a rather minimalistic upgrade from the previous Android version their Chromebooks were operating. Several claimed the changes were mostly aesthetic or cosmetic rather than a powerful overhaul of the system, and other core optimizations. The Android Settings page received the colorful Pie makeover, and the Google Assistant popped-up more prominently, offering assistance to the tasks being executed. Needless to mention, the Google Android 9 Pie update has significant influence of the simplistic or minimal \u2018Material Design\u2019, wherein there are little to none 3D effects.
Android 9 Pie brings with it support for Android keyboards, and Chromebook owners were quite ecstatic. Active developers did immediately notice a new \u201cKeyboard apps\u201d section in the Input Method settings, However, for some strange reason, they simply could not enable the listed keyboard options.
The Gboard is a big improvement over the rather rudimentary stock keyboard in Chrome OS. After some tinkering, some users managed to get Gboard working. However, the feature still has some performance bugs that Google should iron out in the next incremental update.
Only those Chromebooks that are running Chrome OS 72 can get the Google Gboard up and running. The OS is currently available in the Dev and Canary channels. Users then need to open a Chrome window and type chrome:\/\/flags in the address bar. They have to enable the #arc-input-method flag and reboot the Chromebook. After a restart, download the Gboard app from Google Play Store and set it as the default keyboard.
Early adopters caution that the Gboard on Chromebooks is not stable. It tends to freeze, and on some occasions, has reportedly stopped working entirely. Hence only the brave Chromebook users dare install Gboard in its current version on the Chrome OS 72.<\/p>\n