Now that Apple has finally added third party keyboard support to iOS 8, users can choose a keyboard that works best for them. Here's a rundown of some of iOS 8's best keyboards to make typing a breeze.
Android fans have enjoyed the ability to install third party keyboards on their smartphones and tablets for years and choose what works best. Using an on-screen keyboard on smartphones and tablets shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach and thankfully Apple has seen the light. iOS 8 now includes support for third party keyboards on devices including the new iphone 6 and 6 plus, and here are some of the best to try out on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
SwiftKey Keyboard (Free)
SwiftKey is one of the most popular Android third party keyboards on the Google Play Store and it's now available for iOS 8. What makes SwiftKey so popular is its ability to learn your writing style and provide super-accurate autocorrect and word prediction. Some of SwiftKey's most notable features:
Say goodbye to typos with autocorrect based on your personal writing style. SwiftKey even inserts missed spaces for you.
Choose a different way to type by sliding from letter to letter with SwiftKey Flow.
Type in up to two languages at once, without changing any settings.
Swype ($0.99)
Swype is another third party keyboard that's a top favorite of Android users. Swype allows users to enter words by sliding a finger from one letter to the next to complete a word, and its error-correction algorithms are so accurate that the company claims users will be able to achieve a very impressive 50 words per minute when using Swype. If you prefer to tap out your letters instead of swiping letter to letter, Swype supports the more traditional standard keyboard experience. Some of Swype's notable features:
Incredibly intuitive language models that accurately predict what you type or Swype.
Quickly enter symbols, punctuation and capital letters with Swype gestures.
Swype learns how you type. You can tell it to add or remove words from your personal dictionary.
You can Swype on your iPad as well as your iPhone.
Fleksy ($0.99)
Fleksy was designed to allow users to type fast and accurately without having to look at the keyboard. It's driven by gestures and even allows users to resize the keyboard based on what works best. Here are some of Fleksy's most notable features:
Fleksy empowers you with record-setting typing speed, so you have more time for the things you love. Using Fleksy's next-generation predictive keyboard, you can type without even looking! Experience the world's fastest typing on your iPhone and iPad today!
Personalize your typing experience with colorful themes. Express yourself with over 800 emoji. Seamlessly switch between languages while typing.
With just a swipe of your finger, you can easily add punctuation, space, delete words, and much more. Easy. Intuitive. Fast.
MyScript Stack - Handwriting Keyboard (Free)
MyScript Stack offers handwriting recognition in place of an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. If you ever used a Palm OS PDA or smartphone and loved its Graffiti text entry/handwriting recognition feature, you'll feel like you're kicking it old school with MyScript Stack. You draw letters on the screen and your handwritten input is converted to digital text. Some of MyScript Stack's most notable features are:
Input panel allows you to continuously write characters on top of each other, making short text entry convenient and efficient. Input phone numbers, look up names in address books, compose tweets, and write chat, SMS or email messages with your fingertips.
MyScript Stack supports 58 languages.
Minuum = The Little Keyboard for Big Fingers ($0.99)
Minuum takes a very unique approach with its keyboard. It consists of a single row that contains all 26 letters of the alphabet to allow users to see more of an app than most on-screen keyboards cover when in use. Some of Minuum's most notable features:
Type fast without worrying about being precise, thanks to ridiculously smart auto-correction that learns as you type.
Speed up your typing via suggestions from a predictive engine that learns from your word list, word combinations, and language use patterns.
Minuum learns from constantly as you type, and lets you delete words from your dictionary by pressing and holding on word suggestions.
Apple has included an update to iOS 8's built-in keyboard and it incorporates many of the functions offered by the above third parties and is hands-down better than the previous one- and-only keyboard Apple used from the original iPhone through iOS 7. It now features predictive text options, word suggestions based on app, person speaking with, and even what the conversation's about.
What's your favorite iOS 8 keyboard? Let us know in the comments below.
