Microsoft lets new Word Flow keyboard loose on the App Store with one-handed mode
Those who have a fondness for customizing their iPhone keyboard can now do so in a Microsoft-approved fashion with the Redmond software giant's new Word Flow keyboard for iOS.
Word Flow is an adaptation -- importantly, not a straight port -- of Windows Phone's own keyboard of the same name. Like its Metro-styled counterpart, Word Flow for iOS sports gesture-based text entry and predictive text.
The Apple-sanctioned version takes its own path with a new Arc mode, designed to be used with one hand. This layout fans the keyboard out in a quarter circle pattern pinned to the edge of the iPhone, which Microsoft envisions users reaching entirely with their thumb.
Microsoft has also baked in special customization options for iPhone owners. The keyboard ships with several distinct visual themes to choose from, and users can specify their own background images if Microsoft's set don't make the cut.
Word Flow is available only in U.S. English for now, and there is no word on when -- or even if -- additional languages might ship. The keyboard is a free, 70.7-megabyte download from the App Store.
Word Flow is an adaptation -- importantly, not a straight port -- of Windows Phone's own keyboard of the same name. Like its Metro-styled counterpart, Word Flow for iOS sports gesture-based text entry and predictive text.
The Apple-sanctioned version takes its own path with a new Arc mode, designed to be used with one hand. This layout fans the keyboard out in a quarter circle pattern pinned to the edge of the iPhone, which Microsoft envisions users reaching entirely with their thumb.
Microsoft has also baked in special customization options for iPhone owners. The keyboard ships with several distinct visual themes to choose from, and users can specify their own background images if Microsoft's set don't make the cut.
Word Flow is available only in U.S. English for now, and there is no word on when -- or even if -- additional languages might ship. The keyboard is a free, 70.7-megabyte download from the App Store.
Comments
not quite the same, I learned recently If you are a PC user and use IE for all your webstuff including Google for searching MS said they keep ever things you do in IE on their servers for at least 18 months. This was part of the reason Google came up with chrome, they did not want MS collecting the same data was google was. BTW Google captures everything you do in Chrome as well.
I not a one handed typer, but I like what they did here, but not surprise they collecting everything you type.
Reading about this keyboard over at Macrumors, it almost sounds like completely different product is being discussed. Including this part:
"...keyboard features like auto correction and word prediction are included, with options to enable or disable a word learning feature that improves word predictions by sending keyboard usage information to Microsoft".
Interesting.
Well, it is general consensus that all current phones are last remainings of Nokia's design effort.
End of this year, MS should release Surface Phone, designed by Surface team (which is lead by Panos Panay, probably the most charismatic figure MS ever had). I think he did say once that they will do phone only if they have right ideas to do something new and different. Since phones have fallen under Panay's jurisdiction since then, I'm hoping that means that Surface Phone design & development is on it's way. There are also rumors that Intel is into this project - a new low power x86 parts, or first non-x86 design from Intel? We'll see.
Much as my prediction goes, Surface Phone will be high-end, while Lumia line will be kept (and updated) for mid-range and low-end devices... eventually, they might end up being low-end only. Sort of like what Nokia Asha line was.
The other thing my belief that MS is not dropping Windows Phone is based on is that WP10 is going through very aggressive development - since I have installed it on my Lumia 830, it had 2 or 3 big updates already. It started off glitchy but at this stage I already don't see any visible bugs and glithes - it is stable, smooth and does what is expected. Some apps look unfinished, such as new Maps app which replaces Here apps (and merges their functionality into one app). It is stable and functional but design seems to be a bit of work in progress, some inconsistencies in GUI are present... anyway, with those efforts and universal apps/continuum, it would be very strange if MS would drop phones - the only devices that would get benefits from these technologies.
If there is no Surface phone, MS actually might drop WP platform. Obviously Lumias have lost appeal (probably support from Nokia's supporters, too) once MS completely took over from Nokia. So... what you said probably will happen, one or the other. Better Win phones, or no Win phones
Siri data is used to improve voice recognition and the whole experience.
It isn't being sold off to 3rd parties like android.
pretty basic stuff.