Google adds Gemini-powered dictation to Gboard

Google announced Rambler, a new AI-powered voice dictation feature for Gboard, on Tuesday morning at its Android Show: I/O Edition 2026 event. Powered by Gemini-based multilingual models, the feature automatically removes filler words like ums and ahs and can comprehend midsentence corrections. For instance, if a user says they are going to meet on Wednesday at their usual coffee shop at 3 p.m., then corrects themselves to 2 p.m., the system transcribes the correct time. The underlying models also support code switching, which allows multilingual users to move between different languages midsentence without losing context.

To protect user privacy, Gboard will clearly indicate to its users that the Rambler feature is in use. The feature does not store any voice recordings and uses the audio only to transcribe what users speak. Ben Greenwood, director of Android Core Experiences at Google, stated that the company uses a combination of on-device and cloud-based processing. Greenwood added that Google has invested significantly over a span of many years to ensure the feature is “safe and private” for its users.

The launch puts Google in direct competition with a growing crop of AI-powered dictation apps. Competitors such as Wispr Flow, Willow, Superwhisper, Monologue, Handy, and Typeless have built audiences on desktop and mobile in recent years, but most of these apps have yet to establish a strong foothold on Android. Google itself released AI Edge Eloquent, an offline-first dictation app powered by its on-device Gemma AI models, on iOS last month. Rambler represents Google’s clearest move to close that gap. Google mentioned during a briefing that because Rambler can be used across all apps, the feature is akin to a reinvention of the keyboard.

The new features will be limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones for an initial summer rollout, but will eventually reach other Android devices. Google’s core advantage in this market is distribution. Gboard is the default keyboard for the vast majority of Android users worldwide, meaning the Rambler feature will arrive pre-installed for hundreds of millions of people.

Why it matters

Google’s integration of Rambler into Gboard—the default keyboard for hundreds of millions of Android users—creates a significant barrier for stand-alone dictation apps that must now justify a separate download.