Got it on Mi Box 4, and all I can say is finally a microphone button!
This is on my Shield but I'm assuming it will be the same on any Android TV:
If you want to switch to a different keyboard while using Gboard (although I am liking this new Gboard), long press on the spacebar. So you don't have to exit out and go into settings to do that.
And something really useful, you can scroll around to the other side of the keyboard. For example, if you are on the "q" you can press left on your remote and go to "p". If you are on p, press right on the remote and go to q. This combined with the more compact keyboard makes typing really quick.
Also, just in case anyone didn't already know, if you want to stick the Shift key in Uppercase double click it.
Edit: a couple more things.
Long pressing a character bring up alternate characters, like long pressing an "e" to get accented symbols.
Long pressing a lowercase letter brings up the option for an Upper case letter so you don't have to navigate to the Shift key for that.
Nice!, now I can make my feedback reports using my voice.
Why is it so small??
I don't use the Default keyboard because it was in alphabetical order and it does not have voice type in. So I use Swiftkey
The updated Gboard came to the Shield TV as well
I believe the keyboard is a Google Play Store update, just like most keyboards.
it sure looks better for TV now
Can confirm this. Just checked on my Hisense H8G!
So for whenever reason, my TV had the Google Japanese Input. I hated using it. I had to switch to English every time.
I just thought it was a bug in the software for Sony's version.
But your post made me realize I should check to see what software keyboards are installed. I just never thought to look.
It's fixed now. Thank you.
I got it too, definitely a wide rollout... Unlike the Google Sans redesign of Gboard mobile. Also QWERTY! FINALLY!
This is Gboard? I'm looking forward to this for my shield :)
Android 9 is available for you
sony bravia xg80 series, android 8
This is quite terrible in fact. Qwerty doesn't make sense for a TV. Since you are supposed to look at the keys while "typing" them and you have a lot more space in the TV for more symbols.
Same one on the Google tv leaks