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Microsoft's 'Word Flow' Keyboard for iPhone Launches in the U.S. App Store
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My very unqualified guess is that maybe Apple has a rule about how San Francisco is displayed in third party keyboards so to get around it they made something of a clone font with small differences? San Francisco is an Apple branding font after all.
Off topic: It's always interesting to me when I see people nerd out over esoteric things like typography. Reminds me of when my friends and I argue over the +/- of coil overs on DD cars used for AutoX.
On topic: This keyboard looks pretty slick. I really like that custom background. Microsoft is definitely a different company. They recently buried the hatchet with Google and they've been hitting their hardware and software pretty hard lately.
That is how ios works so that it's easy to use different keyboards that work best for each conversation like different languages
San Francisco is just a system typeface, you do not have to do anything for it. In fact, if you do not override the fonts in UIKit, you will get San Francisco automatically. There is no reason why they could not use it within the app. Apple also offers the font files to developers, exclusively for UI-related work connected to the iOS app. I do not see why they could not use it.
You were right, it is in fact Roboto. This is just so typical of Microsoft. Of all the available typefaces, they had to pick Roboto?
I've only spent a few minutes with this, but I like the look of it, very clean. However, they're doing the same single finger swipe as everyone else. I'm _much_ more efficient with two finger swipe on Nintype and can drop back to tapping or single finger swipe if required.
That's bonkers. Why go to extra effort just to pick a font from a company you compete with? It is typical of Microsoft. I'm not sure it'll bother me too much because they're so similar but still...
Amazing, since you weren't given the choice anyway.
Still, odd move by MS. I wonder why it would be territory-limited?
Not every effort by companies - other than Apple, of course - is nefarious. Increasing the accuracy of predictive text doesn't happen in a vacuum. To each his though. Faux privacy worry has reached meme level status.
I have a question regarding the encryption of iMessages and 3rd party keyboards. Does the access that keyboards (like word flow) are granted compromise the encryption of iMessages? When they are allowed full access, aren't they allows to see and record everything? I can from a Windows Phone and loved their keyboard so I have been waiting for this but still hesitate to give it, or any keyboard, full access. Even the little privacy message within the keyboard section of settings gives a disclaimer regarding this. And it made me nervous when it said that it can even record bank passwords and usernames.
Also, will it record only when the app is showing? So if I switch to the stock keyboard, then I presume word flow cannot 'see' what I am typing?
Just some concerns/questions from someone itching to use this app!!
Also, will it record only when the app is showing? So if I switch to the stock keyboard, then I presume word flow cannot 'see' what I am typing?
Just some concerns/questions from someone itching to use this app!!
I was hoping for the same thing. I don't think its an API thing. Lots of keyboards have cursor keys to move the cursor around, I don't know why a keyboard would not have access to 3d touch. They could implement something that would work.
Pretty great little keyboard, too bad it doesn't have skin tone emojis or flag emojis... Seems odd they'd leave that out.
Also, flesky has force touch cursor movement, although it only can go left and right (which is really all you would need) hoping MS makes some of these changes/updates....
Also, flesky has force touch cursor movement, although it only can go left and right (which is really all you would need) hoping MS makes some of these changes/updates....
Truth be told iOS 8 keyboard support was fairly buggy from Apple's side (not to say it's perfect in iOS 9). I can't blame Microsoft for only supporting 9 and up, they'd get a lot of complaints about issues they couldn't do anything about otherwise.
Gave this a quick spin. The keyboard seems less heavy-handed about capitalization and auto corrections, so it might take time to get used to it. Nice to hear the exact same keyboard sounds as Windows Phone, which IMO are more pleasant and less grating.
One major flaw that many other 3rd party keyboards also have: When swiping over the keyboard to bring up Control Center, keys will inadvertently be pressed. (This doesn't happen on the iOS keyboard.)
One major flaw that many other 3rd party keyboards also have: When swiping over the keyboard to bring up Control Center, keys will inadvertently be pressed. (This doesn't happen on the iOS keyboard.)
Can anyone give me suggestions on what is/are the best keyboards for the iphone these days? I've used both swiftkey and Apples stock keyboard and I find both surprisingly inaccurate. I don't know if it's just me trying to get used to using a smaller handset again with a 5S but hoping someone can help me out.
Crazy enough I find the swiping on this keyboard to be the best i've used. I figured it wouldn't be that good since all the others I've tried haven't passed my standards. Have had zero issues using it with messenger, doesn't slow down or feel chunky so far. Overall I'm impressed and will use this one for a while... till I find a flaw and end up going back to stock.. but you just never know.