In a smartphone keyboard, AI comes into play by learning how users type over time. Wolfe says SwiftKey’s biggest advantage is its artificial intelligence, which has advanced since getting to tap into Microsoft’s vast resources in that area. The companies would not say how many people work for SwiftKey, nor how many users it has today. (SwiftKey Photo)Īt the time of the purchase Microsoft said SwiftKey’s keyboard powered more than 300 million Android and iOS devices, giving the Redmond tech giant unique insights into the behavior of those users. The company pulled back from producing its own phones and operating systems, and has instead focused on optimizing its existing tools for iOS and Android and creating new smartphone apps that build on fundamental features like the camera and keyboard. SwiftKey is an example of Microsoft’s new mobile strategy. Google has its own in-house keyboard for Android phones, and a host of startups have built keyboards. ![]() The update does not include integration with Microsoft’s digital assistant Cortana, though Wolfe says that is being considered.Īs smartphones have evolved, moving the keyboard out of the physical world and on to the screen has opened the door to a variety of companies to build their own offerings. These new features, the company said, represent the biggest update since Microsoft acquired SwiftKey. In the coming weeks, SwiftKey will add the ability to open up calendars within the keyboard as well share locations. ![]() These changes are available starting today. ![]() ![]() “It is a design update around ease of use and accessibility as we keep adding more and more rich features to the keyboard users need to be able to find them,” said Chris Wolfe, a principal product manager at SwiftKey, who came to the company from Microsoft after the tech giant acquired the startup for a reported $250 million in 2016. SwiftKey is also adding stickers and the ability to customize photos, stickers and other media and pin them to the Toolbar. One of the biggest changes to SwiftKey as part of this update is the addition of a Toolbar to access frequently used feature that replaces the Hub feature, an expandable menu that is used for customizing and managing the keyboard.
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