For smartphone users who have been having difficulty typing with one hand on their iPhone, Microsoft is sharing their solution with the public. The solution Microsoft has to offer is its Word Flow Keyboard which is now available on iOS in the U.S. App Store (but not in Europe yet). The tech giant has released a next-word predicting keyboard as an iOS app as it seeks to tap into the popularity of Apple’s mobile ecosystem in the hopes of expanding its influence in the mobile productivity space.
What Does Word Flow Keyboard Do?
The idea is to simplify the typing process for the user. Users who opt for bigger phones (like the iPhone 6S) will appreciate the arc layout, which makes hitting far away buttons easier. The curved layout is really what sets this keyboard app away from the pact, with the the ability to optimize the layout for right-handed and left-handed users. Word Flow takes advantage of the swiping technology, so that users can type by just using one thumb when in a hurry. The app also includes prediction features and auto-correct- the more you use the app, the better it learns what the user wants. There are also options to customize the keyboard to your individual liking, including the ability to add custom backgrounds.
Enhancing the User Experience
The keyboard app is expected to be released for Android later on this year. It’s clear that Microsoft is listening to what smartphone users are demanding. Apple and Android can learn a lesson in UX from Microsoft to answering the user’s needs. (Or they will need to make smaller phones)
