The most popular search engine, Google is also the creator of Android and has developed some very useful apps across several categories. Just in case you are scouting for something more satisfying than the available apps on your device, you could give Google apps a try to see how they suit your requirement. Though there are quite a few, let’s discuss the top 5 apps for a little more understanding of their features and functions.
1. Gboard
Developed by Google, Gboard is a virtual keyboard application which was released for iOS in May 2016 and for Android subsequently in December 2016. Loaded with simple features, it continues to be one of the most used keyboards on Android devices.
The app features Google Search. This includes web results, a predictive search engine that automatically suggests following words depending on the context, and an easy searching and sharing of GIF content and multilingual language support. The keyboard on Android initially supported more than 100 languages and has been constantly updated since then.
In April 2017, Google increased the number of Indian languages on Gboard, where 11 new languages were added, making the total number of supported Indian languages to 22. Correspondingly, the Android app was updated to support recognition of hand-drawn emoji and enable prediction of complete phrases rather than just single words.
2. Google Translate
An amazing app, the Google Translate was launched in April 2006 and is much more than a simple translator. Initially, Google Translate used transcripts from the United Nations and European Parliament to collect linguistic data.
In its process of translating, it looks for patterns across millions of documents to offer the best translation.In 2016, Google announced that the app would switch to a “neural machine translation engine”, which translates entire sentences rather than in bits and parts.
The latest version of the app allows people across cultures to communicate with one another irrespective of the languages spoken by them. The quality of the translated texts is quite appropriate, enabling a greater scope for browsing and reading.
It functions as a suitable app for Android and iOS and offers a website interface along with an API that aids developers build browser extensions and software applications.This app supports over 100 languages at various levels.
It not only allows saving translations in a ‘phrasebook’ for later reference but also enables entering text via ‘on-screen keyboard’ through ‘handwriting recognition’ and ‘speech recognition.’Additionally, the Google Translate also provides translations for devices which Google Assistant runs on like the Google Home and Google Pixel Buds.
The Google Translate app for Android was released in January 2010 and can translate 37 languages via photo, conversion mode, and real-time video in augmented reality mode. You can try the Free APKs Download to install this app on your Android device.
3. Google Now Launcher
If you want to change the monotonous look of your existing user interface, install the Google Now Launcher for a fast, simple, efficient, and clean home screen. All you need to do is simply upgrade the launcher on your Android device and claim the most responsive and light interface. The app is available and functional on all devices with Android 4.1 or higher.
The key features of the Google Now Launcher include services as highlighted below:
– You can swipe right from your home screen to view the Google Now cards that can give you the appropriate information at the required time
– It gives quick access to Search from every/any Home screen. You can say “Ok Google” to launch a search with your voice or command your phone on what to do; for instance, say, ‘send a text message, get directions, play a song, and the like’
– The A-Z list enables fast scrolling and searching of apps on your device and the Play Store
– The App Suggestion uses on-device intelligence to bring the apps that you’re searching for, to the top of your A-Z list
– As updated on September 2015, Google Now Launcher allows space for larger folders and more than one page
4. Google Keep
If you are wishful of an app that encourages you to complete all tasks, Google Task can become your best assistant by helping you plan your day ahead of time. It is a note-recording service developed by Google and is available on the web and for both Android and iOS.
Google Keep aids in checking the tasks you have completed and enables reviewing on how productive your day was. With its facility of tracking your activities as planned, it assists in putting your work on a schedule. You can use its various tools like text, lists, images as well as audio for taking notes.
Text can be extracted from images by employing the optical character recognition. Voice recordings can also be transcribed. Notes can be color coded and labeled for organizing further. Latest updates have added tools to enable functionality of collaborating notes with other Google Keep users in real-time. In July 2017, Google updated Keep for Android, offering users the ability to undo and redo changes as well.
5. Google Drive
Google Drive is a service that allows file storage and synchronization. Launched in 2012, Google Drive is extremely useful as you can upload important files that you may not require at the moment to the cloud account, synchronize files across devices, and share them. It helps you manage your account efficiently even on your phone.
Along with the website, Google drive offers apps with offline capabilities for Android and iOS smartphones as well as Windows and macOS computers. The Google Drive incorporates Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and an OfficeSuite, allowing easy editing of documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and much more.
Files that are created and edited through the OfficeSuite are saved on the Google Drive. The Android app offers a section for Backups to identify the Android devices that have backed up data. The computer app allows for backing up specific folders on user’s computer. While we have discussed a handful of the Google apps, you can always look up for more useful ones that suit your requirement and preference.
This is Rohan, I’m a Digital marketing Expert, Full time Content Writer and founder of BoxerTechnology.com I can help people across the world through my articles. I am sharing the latest stories from companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Amazon.