SwiftKey Launches New Emoji-Predicting Keyboard App 'Swiftmoji'

[MacRumors]

Microsoft-owned keyboard app maker SwiftKey today launched a brand-new iOS app, this time focused on predictive emoji suggestions. Called Swiftmoji, the app runs a crowdsourced usage data algorithm to begin suggesting its users specific emoji characters when they send text messages, with the app set to eventually learn each user's preferences and recommend frequently-used emoji above those hardly ever sent in a message.

Image via TechCrunch​

The app works by piggybacking on the written text created in Apple's -- or any other third-party's -- keyboard, showcasing a wall of emojis meant to be related to the message waiting to be sent. All users need to do is type something, tap the globe icon to switch over to Swiftmoji, and pick from the app's proposed emoji characters. SwiftKey hopes this method is a bit more streamlined in comparison to the emoji hunt that happens in Apple's first-party keyboard but, as TechCrunch noted, its predictive capabilities have room for improvement.

Testing the app out ahead of launch, the predictions seemed a tad tenuous and/or hit and miss at times. For example, typing 'viva la France' did indeed yield the French flag emoji as the first prediction. However the second prediction was the Italian flag. Which it's hard to imagine being useful.

The app also lets users send an "emoji storm," which shoots out emojis from its suggestion box in a random order at the tail-end of a message, if users think sending just one or two characters isn't enough. In addition, there's a tab for frequently used emoji, and a basic, scrollable section akin to what iOS users have been used to over the past few years. Interestingly, the Android version of the app is more robust, offering quick-access emoji suggestions above a full third-party keyboard.

Due to its ability to condense vast topics down to cartoonish characters, a SwiftKey spokeswoman is also ensuring users that the company has "worked to reduce the chances of anyone using Swiftmoji to be caused offence from the emoji predictions suggested." All the same, she confirmed that SwiftKey wouldn't outright censor its users, letting everyone have "the option to use whichever emoji they like and in whatever way they like," with truly questionable outcomes from the app advised to be reported to the company.

Anyone interested can check out Swiftmoji for free on the App Store today. [Direct Link]

Article Link: SwiftKey Launches New Emoji-Predicting Keyboard App 'Swiftmoji'

 

[Dilster3k]

This craze for stickers and Emoji's has made me lose all faith in humanity.

 

[Brian Buttplug]

This is something I've always wanted ... err ... no.

 

[theeyevan]

No way! Keyboard app Wordflow does the same this simpler, no need for this.

 

[gaanee]

The biggest drawback of this is having to tap the globe icon -> switch the keyboard -> select the emoji and then again tap the globe icon and then select keyboard for typing...How is this streamlined??

Biggest hassle is switch back and forth between keyboards. Part of the reason could be limitations imposed by Apple but what Apple showed at the ios 10 keynote is a much better implementation... just tap the word and replace it with emoji.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

In the second screenshot it recommends the red heart emoji twice... is that a bug?

 

[Mr VeryAngry]

Zzzzzzzzz

 

[4a6d65]

This craze for stickers and Emoji's has made me lose all faith in humanity.

The fact that makes you lose faith in humanity is the real disturbing matter.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What a time to be alive.

 

[nikosl7]

Oh thank god apple gave us 3rd party keyboards. Oh wait it does not show up.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

"Thanks to more than 1 million hours of advanced engineering, you can now start drawing a snout and our predictive algorithms insert the pig emoji"

 

[canadianreader]

Privacy issues with these third party keyboards.

 

[Kobbr]

This craze for stickers and Emoji's has made me lose all faith in humanity.

Does it really bother you that much? There are bigger concerns that have me lose faith in humanity and an emoji is far from it.

 

[Avieshek]

Talk about Advancement and Innovation in technology.

 

[Black Magic]

This craze for stickers and Emoji's has made me lose all faith in humanity.

Well I think Apple and others cater to certain demographics when it comes to features and/or products. When you bitch about something you won't use or download, you really give off the impression that you are a self absorbed prima donna where everything has to be centered around you and your opinion. Not a good look. Just saying.

 

[Sirious]

Was looking for something like this and given how much I use and like SwiftKey, I'll be giving this a try.

 

[Zwhaler]

They stole it from Kanye

 

[Cineplex]

This is the crap Apple wastes time on? Wow. Good work, Tim! You are really to working to advance the human race. 3rd party keyboards...wooohooo.

Anyone who is salivating for this....is beyond help. Anyone who thinks they need it....it is too late to save you.

EDIT: Clarification needed. Third party keyboards are a waste of time, emoji support is a waste of time, a 3rd party emoji keyboard is a waste of time. Everything in this article is a waste of time.

Just to clear that up.

 

[coolfactor]

This is the crap Apple wastes time on? Wow. Good work, Tim! You are really to working to advance the human race. 3rd party keyboards...wooohooo.

Anyone who is salivating for this....is beyond help. Anyone who thinks they need it....it is too late to save you.

This isn't from Apple.

Editor: I believe that should be "assuring" users, not "ensuring". Been quite a few typos in recent articles. Aren't they passed by the Editor's desk for a quick read?

 

[Cineplex]

This isn't from Apple.

Really? Did you read my comment?

 

[cocky jeremy]

They stole it from Kanye

I'll believe it when the recording comes out... Oh wait, he does record that stuff.