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Android’s physical navigation buttons are back on Googlebooks, but not the way you think
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An oldie but a goodie, and kind of a necessity-die.
Key facts
- On Googlebook OS, these keys do what you expect: the left-pointing triangle goes back, the circle goes “home” by minimizing all open apps, and the square tiles your open apps like Mission Control
- But there is something new for Googlebooks that’s ripped straight from Android phones circa 2014
- A common misconception the reporter has seen with Googlebooks is that the Quick Insert and Google logo keys are new
- On every Googlebook keyboard, the F1, F2, and F3 keys are the old triangle, circle, and square navigation icons that first debuted on Android 5.0 Lollipop
Summary
A common misconception the reporter has seen with Googlebooks is that the Quick Insert and Google logo keys are new. On every Googlebook keyboard, the F1, F2, and F3 keys are the old triangle, circle, and square navigation icons that first debuted on Android 5.0 Lollipop. It’s useful to have these buttons, and to have them matched across all Googlebooks. If you’re an Android nerd of yore, it’s kind of fun to see these buttons live on.