Google has released new feature – Input Tools – http://www.google.com/inputtools/. With this tool, you no longer need special input software to type in the languages we teach at Rice University.
Since all Rice students have access to Google Drive with their Rice ID, you can enable foreign language input by choosing the language (under Files menu) you would like to type in a Google Document or Spreadsheet (just these two formats for now). For more info, go to http://www.google.com/inputtools/cloud/enable.html.
As of January 2013, there are two formats of typing. One is transliteration – in languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, and Japanese, you can type the alphabetic representation of the sound. In other languages, such as Korean, you will need to rely on Google’s visual keyboard software to type (see http://www.google.com/inputtools/cloud/features.html) This tool has eliminated the necessity to install special software on your computer. Everything is on cloud!
You can now type in foreign language anywhere . You don’t need to rely on computers with special software installed. The only thing missing is the dictionary (vocabulary and grammar) feature within Google Documents to improve your writing in the language you are learning.
If you are interested in more information about writing in other languages, you can visit the “Languages Supported…” page – http://www.google.com/inputtools/cloud/support.html.
TRY IT HERE! – http://www.google.com/inputtools/cloud/try/
Typing with Accent
Typing in French Keyboard:
Typing in German Keyboard:
Typing in Italian Keyboard:
Typing in Portuguese Keyboard:
Typing in Spanish Keyboard:
