New version of Google Keyboard has a useful one-handed texting mode

Big phones have made it increasingly difficult (if not impossible) to text with one hand. 

Google's launching version 5.0 of its official keyboard for Android, and it includes a mode that makes one-handed texting easier, though it's not nearly as elegant of a solution as the recently released Word Flow.

Microsoft's Word Flow is an iPhone keyboard that makes it easier to text with one hand thanks to its unique "arc" mode. The keyboard curves the letter keys, making them easier to reach with your thumb.

As for Google's new version, the updated keyboard is slowly rolling out to Android users through Google Play.

To activate one-handed mode, press and hold on the "," key and then tap the one-handed icon that shows up next to the gear icon that also appears. The keyboard will then shrink down and shift to the left and right side for easier thumb reachability.

I tried the keyboard out and I was definitely able to bang out sentences faster with one hand using a Nexus 6.

The keys were a little too small to tap, but swiping between letters to string words together worked better for rapid texting.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Other new notable new features in the new Google Keyboard update include: adjustable keyboard height, gesture controls (delete words with a swipe left from delete key, control cursor with left and right swipe on space bar) and quicker access to emojis and the number pad.

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