Here’s What You Need to Know About Google’s Noto

Here’s What You Need to Know About Google’s Noto

Google is in the business of developing software, mobile services, search tools, hardware, devices and more. You probably already know that. That’s because the company’s projects are big, celebrated and successful – more often than not.

Occasionally it does like to go off the beaten path, which results in services like Project Loon, Ingress, self-driving vehicles or its collaboration with LEGO.

We can now add to that list the Noto Project – a collaboration with Monotype, a typeface company responsible for the creation of Times New Roman and Arial. Yep, we’re talking about digital fonts here, which are used on a variety of devices including computers, mobile and more.

What Is the Noto Project?

Noto is a new universal font that can be used across more than 800 languages worldwide, and 100 writing scripts. What does this mean, exactly?

It means everyone will be able to use the same font across platforms, regardless of region.

The typeface is designed to eliminate the existence of something called a tofu character. You see, when a particular character or symbol is not recognized, it is shown as a white box called a tofu. Essentially, it’s the universal symbol designed to let users – and developers – know that particular character is not supported and cannot be displayed.

This practice causes the most problems across regions and languages. When translating text – or fonts – unknown characters make things more difficult to understand.

The name Noto is a portmanteau of no to(fu), or in proper English, no more tofu characters. Google and Monotype have embarked on a five-year collaboration to unify typeface for everyone.

Noto is now being shipped to all, available on an open source OFL ‑ open font license – so it can be used or modified by anyone.

What Does This Mean?

Compared to other projects Google has been a part of, it may seem strange for the company to invest time on something like a new typeface or font – especially a project that involved “hundreds of researchers, designers, linguists, cultural experts and project managers around the world,” according to Google.

In reality, it feeds right into the company’s goal to dominate the world of internet services. For example, Google Translate will benefit from this typeface entirely as it can handle the conversion of well over 100 languages.

The more people Google convinces to use its services, the more revenue it brings in.

Noto will be used on platforms like Android and Chrome OS as a single, unified typeface. Since it’s open source, anyone will be able to modify and implement the typeface for their own projects.

What Do Google and Monotype Intend to Accomplish?

Google’s director of internationalization, Bob Jung, says although Noto is “daunting” both in size and scope, the company set out to “develop a really good product that solves a problem no one else has taken on before.

“Our goal for Noto (is) to create fonts for our devices, but (…) also (to keep) information alive.”

[tweet_box] Noto will be used on platforms like Android and Chrome OS as a single, unified typeface. via @thegadgetflow [/tweet_box]

How is Google keeping information alive with a single font, you ask?

The universal aspect of Noto allows the company to preserve lesser used, academic or dead languages. They are incorporated into the typeface as an international asset.

Simply put, “without the digital capability of Noto, it’s much more difficult to preserve (this) cultural resource.”

So, in a way, Google is also helping preserve history here.

On the business side of things, it’s really just making it easier for everyone in the world to understand and use its services.

You can find the Noto Fonts here, where you can download each individually or as one big package. Developers will also be pleased to know there is a repository on GitHub, as well.

Although Noto fonts have officially been released – in open source – Monotype and Google will continue to work on the project. Over time, it will receive more scripts, weights, bug fixes and Unicode alignments.

Scott Landers, the President and CEO of Monotype says, they are “passionately dedicated to type and helping to advance the use and adoption of type across many cultures, languages, and geographies.

“We are thrilled to have played such an important role in what has become one of the most significant type projects of all time. The combination of Monotype’s type expertise and Google’s innovation has proven to be a productive relationship and we look forward to continued collaboration that helps advance the use of type to new places.”

So there you have it. Pretty cool, right?

Image by Oliver Klein

Kayla Matthews is a Gadget Flow writer. She is also a contributor to websites like VentureBeat, VICE, TechnoBuffalo and GearDiary. To read more posts by Kayla, subscribe to her weekly newsletter on her personal tech blog.
Join the Discussion

You Might Also Like

SILVERLINING Alpha Underwear: a must-have for men’s reproductive health

SILVERLINING Alpha Underwear: a must-have for men’s reproductive health

Keep your reproductive health in top condition with the SILVERLINING Alpha Underwear. These silver-infused briefs boast exceptional antimicrobial, anti-radiation, and anti-EMF properties. Have you ever thought about how your underwear could impact your health? This innovative silver-infused fabric protects your..
Best VR gadgets to change the way you game and watch movies

Best VR gadgets to change the way you game and watch movies

Virtual reality technology has come a long way, making it easier than ever before to experience immersive gaming and movies. With so many VR gadgets available, it can be difficult to know where to start. From high-end headsets to budget-friendly..
Get workspace products tailored to your needs with Oakywood’s 3D customizer

Get workspace products tailored to your needs with Oakywood’s 3D customizer

Design the office of your dreams with the Oakywood 3D product customizer. This innovative tool takes online shopping to a new era, creating a workspace that fits you, your goals, and your work environment. Want to design the perfect home..
The EazyMaker lifts your mattress, making it easier to change the bedsheets

The EazyMaker lifts your mattress, making it easier to change the bedsheets

Changing your bedsheets is a breeze with the EazyMaker Mattress Raising System. This mattress-lifting gadget raises your mattress, making it easier to remove the sheets and put on new ones. Does your mattress sit in a tight frame that hurts..
10 Smart home gadgets for every room in your house—from the kitchen to the bathroom

10 Smart home gadgets for every room in your house—from the kitchen to the bathroom

The rise of smart home technology has revolutionized the way we interact with our homes. From energy-efficient lighting to voice-controlled assistants, smart gadgets make our lives easier and more convenient. If you want to upgrade your home with the latest..
The future of fitness: 10 high-tech gadgets to take your workouts to the next level

The future of fitness: 10 high-tech gadgets to take your workouts to the next level

Are you tired of the same old workout routine? Maybe you’re looking for a way to take your fitness to the next level. Well, look no further than the world of high-tech fitness gadgets. As technology evolves, so do the..