Microsoft is currently working to port its Windows Phone keyboard named Word Flow to iOS devices, particularly iPhone. According to media reports, the newly developed keyboard will be available as a third-party product.
Microsoft is on the verge of recruiting testers who have access to iPhone 5S or later to participate in the beta testing program of the upcoming keyboard. The Redmond-based company is reaching out to Windows Insiders with a request to take part in the testing program.
Similar to that of gesture-based keyboards like Swype, the Word Flow keyboard works by tracing fingers across letters, which will then automatically suggest words. The keyboard, included with Windows Phone devices, also provides support for traditional typing, autocorrect, suggestions and emoji characters.
Featured to break the Guinness World Record for fastest texting, the Word Flow keyboard has been one of the highly recommended features of Windows Phone.
To participate and test the Word Flow iOS keyboard, you should be part of Windows Insiders program and shoot an email to the address mentioned on the email with the subject “I want in!”.
Based on the feedback provided by Insiders, Microsoft is scheduled to build a detailed roadmap of the various features, which need to be incorporated to the keyboard developed for iOS platform.
Hit by the speed and performance issues, the third-party keyboards developed for the iOS platform never attracted the user community. However, Microsoft is planning to tap this area by providing a keyboard with the enhanced user experience for iOS devices.
It remains to be seen how the large user base of iOS community reacts to the final version of the new keyboard, which is expected to be released by the end of Q2 2016.
In addition to the upcoming Word Flow keyboard, Microsoft has so far developed nearly 60 iPhone apps, which are available for download from the App Store.
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