In 2014, iPhone and iPad users were able to install third-party keyboards. Many developers immediately took advantage of this opportunity. For the most part, the apps released have turned out to be lopsided and useless, but some custom keyboards for iOS have gained popularity. It is about the latter that will be discussed in this article.

Swype is one of the most popular keyboards for all platforms. The iOS version of the program debuted at the launch of iOS 8 and became one of the first available custom keyboards for the iPhone and iPad. Swype allows you to enter words either in the usual way or with one long swipe.

Swype for iOS supports Russian and predicts words perfectly. The program has an algorithm for memorizing words, so over time, the keyboard only gets smarter. Changing the language in the application is done by pressing the spacebar. The keyboard supports themes that will definitely appeal to fans of personalizing their device. In the App Store, Swype for iOS costs 75 rubles.

Translator Keyboard is an application that allows you to instantly translate messages. To translate using the Translator Keyboard, you just need to select the main language and the language into which you want to translate the text. In a small field above the keyboard, the entered text is duplicated and translated after pressing Enter.

Translator Keyboard is built on top of the Microsoft Translate API. This means that an internet connection is required for the application to function. The application is capable of translating from 30 languages \u200b\u200bto 44. Language switching is carried out using a swipe across the screen. For Translator Keyboard you will have to pay 149 rubles.

Swiftkey is another smart keyboard that adapts to the user. Just like Swype, Swiftkey has the ability to enter text in several ways. In addition to the usual set of letters, you can use Flow - an analogue of Swype from Swiftkey.

You will find many themes in the keyboard settings. Unfortunately, not all of them are free. After several days of use, the keyboard remembers the user and begins to offer him hints based on the words he uses frequently. The input language in Swiftkey is switched by pressing the spacebar. The application supports Russian and is distributed absolutely free.

Fleksy Keyboard is a stylish keyboard with easy gesture controls. At the request of the user, the program can connect to his mail and social networks to analyze the style of speech and synchronize the dictionary. As with previous keyboards in this collection, the longer you use Fleksy Keyboard, the easier it becomes for you to type.

To switch the language in Fleksy Keyboard, you just need to swipe on the space bar. In addition to supporting themes, of which there are quite a few, the keyboard boasts the presence of extensions. For example, Fleksy Keyboard can attach GIF animations or stickers to messages. Unlike the program itself, extensions and themes are often not free.

Gboard is a functional keyboard for iOS from Google. Perhaps the main feature of the application is the ability to use Google search right inside the keyboard. Especially for this, above the keys themselves there is a small round Google icon, after clicking on which the search interface opens.

However, the advantages of the keyboard do not end there. For those who don't like the minimalist design of Gboard, Google has added the ability to create custom themes based on the photos you take. Unfortunately, the keyboard does not yet support the Russian language, but this will be fixed in the next updates. In the App Store, the program is absolutely free.

Touchpal Keyboard is a nice keyboard that offers the user a huge set of stickers and emoji. Along with the standard ones, there are also text smilies. In addition, whole Emoji combinations are available to the user, which create certain images.

The keyboard also boasts support for a large number of free themes. For those who have not found a suitable theme for themselves, there is an opportunity to create your own. The keyboard supports Russian and allows you to type text using swipes. The program is free and available in the App Store.

In addition, the keyboard also has an ordinary QWERTY-layout, which does not stand out from the background of previous applications. However, PopKey is more of an addition to the stock keyboard than a standalone application, so I advise you not to remove the Apple keyboard from the list of active ones.

Do you use third-party keyboards? If so, which ones?

Apple opened the door to installing custom keyboards two years ago. After that, the official catalog of iOS applications was replenished with a large number of third-party keyboards. Most of which did not stand up to criticism. But, there were some that are still popular. They will be discussed in this article.

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Swype

The most popular third-party keyboard for iPhone and iPad is Swype. This keyboard is great for both two-handed and one-finger operation. This means you can use it even on the go. A predictive word input option is available. Moreover, the application can predict not only which word you started writing, but even which smiley you want to insert into your text.

Initially, the keyboard did not support Russian, but today it is supported. When installing the Swype keyboard on your apple device, the user can choose a convenient layout:

• QWERTY
• QWERTZ
• AZERTY

If you use an iPad, when you install this keyboard on your tablet, you will have the ability to simplify typing in landscape and portrait mode. In general, the developer tried to make more iPad users install this keyboard for themselves. They, unlike iPhone owners, have 5 free themes available.

The cost of the Swype keyboard is 33 rubles. But, from time to time, the developer makes it free. Do not miss your chance.

You can download the Swype keyboard from developer home page or with iTunes Store ... There is also a version for Android.

Translator Keyboard

As the name suggests, this keyboard allows you to quickly translate text. To do this, you need to select the main language and the language from which you want to translate. The app currently supports 44 languages.

This keyboard can be a great helper when communicating with foreigners on the Internet if your knowledge of their language is not at a very good level. With Translator Keyboard, you can send messages via messengers, communicate in online chats, write emails, etc.
Since this keyboard uses the Microsoft Translate API for translation, it requires an internet connection to work.

Swiftkey Note

Another custom keyboard that can be customized to suit the needs of each user. Android users have already appreciated the capabilities of this keyboard. The ability to install in apple gadgets appeared relatively recently. In Swiftkey, you can enter letters in the usual way or without breaking.

As you use the Swiftkey keyboard, it learns itself. After that, the prediction of the words you enter with its help becomes better. Moreover, she can search for the desired words from your notebook or social networks. Thus, the user can transfer the "dictionary" of this application to another device.

Swiftkey keyboard supports Russian and is distributed free of charge. If you get tired of its appearance, then you can download and install an alternative theme for this keyboard. Unfortunately, the best ones come at a price.

At the time of this writing, it was not possible to find the application on the official Apple catalog.

Fleksy Keyboard

This keyboard made this list not only for its beautiful design, but also for its functionality. The control of this application is based on gestures. Like Swiftkey Note, this keyboard is self-learning. It is possible to connect to mail and social networks to analyze the style of the entered text. The more you enter words with Fleksy Keyboard, the easier and faster you will be able to work with it later.

When using this keyboard, it will be advisable to install several extensions supported by it. For instance:

• animated gif memes
• separate numeric line
• cursor navigation
• one-handed dialing setting (right-handed / left-handed)

This keyboard is so popular with Apple supporters that its developer managed to attract $ 4 million from investors to develop it. Users can choose from six colors. And if there are not enough of them, then you can buy six more. It is also possible to resize the keyboard.

You can download Fleksy Keyboard in the official Apple app directory .

Gboard

The developer of this keyboard is Google. And the main feature of this application is the ability to use the search for this service directly from the keyboard. To do this, you need to click on the button that is located above the keys and enter the desired word or expression in the search bar that appears.

Of course, the Gboard keyboard is not only famous for its search capabilities. The developer has implemented in it the ability to change the design through custom photos. As for the "standard" design, it is minimalist and looks similar to the standard iOS keyboard.

Like most of the keyboards mentioned in this review, Gboard has the ability to write text with one finger without tearing. This is possible thanks to the Glyde function. Unfortunately, this keyboard does not yet support Russian and the ability to install it is available only to US residents. Let's hope that soon Russian language support will appear and this alternative keyboard will become available to residents of other regions.

Touchpal Keyboard

The main advantage of this keyboard is a huge set of stickers and emojis. In addition to the standard ones, there are text emoticons and Emoji combinations from which you can make whole images. If you need it, of course.

Otherwise, this is a standard keyboard with a slightly improved design. The possibility of continuous test input is present. Russian language support too.

To enable an alternative keyboard after loading it, you need to go to

"Settings" - "General" - "Keyboard" - "Keyboards" - "New Keyboards"

and select the installed keyboard. Then open its settings and allow full access. Do you use third-party keyboards? If so, which ones?

Video. Swype or Swift? Alternative keyboard iOs 8

It rightfully makes it a universal iOS gadget. Indeed, why carry your iPhone and iPad with you when a phone with a large display can successfully cope with the tasks of both devices? While the iPhone 6 Plus won't replace the full-fledged computer we use for more serious tasks, it has the necessary capabilities for certain types of tasks. For example, working with text when you are away from your workplace. The iPhone 6 Plus display is large enough to make text legible in landscape orientation. The only thing you will be missing is a comfortable physical keyboard. They will be discussed further.

When talking about a keyboard for iPhone 6 Plus, keep in mind that it should be large enough to be comfortable to type on, but not so bulky that it would be difficult to transport and take up a lot of space in your bag. Also, the keyboard must have a stand or other mechanism for holding the phone. Well, and most importantly, it should be inexpensive, since this is just an additional accessory and there is simply no point in spending a large amount of money on it.

There are many keyboards for the iPad or iPad mini that can be used with the iPhone 6, thanks to its size. This is also worth considering if you are looking to purchase a “one-stop” solution.

Microsoft Keyboards

Many people don't even realize that Microsoft has been making various peripherals for ages and recently the company has created a couple of amazing mobile keyboards.

Universal Mobile Keyboard (80 $)

One of them is the Universal Mobile Keyboard, which costs about $ 80 and works great with both Windows, iOS and Android (plus it doesn't even have the Win key that is so typical for Microsoft peripherals).

The keys of the Universal Mobile Keyboard are covered with an elegant cover made of sturdy, but rather elastic, soft-touch plastic. It is convenient, but it has a small drawback - the "rubberized" coating attracts dust like a magnet.

This very cover also serves as a stand and, thanks to the mounting method, can be used both for a tablet and a smartphone. At the same time, you can attach the cover-stand to the keyboard using magnets or work separately, placing it in a convenient place on the table.

Unfortunately, the Universal Mobile Keyboard does not fit perfectly with the iPhone 6 Plus (and its younger sibling, the iPhone 6). In a horizontal position, the phone holds up perfectly (both without a case and in a case), but in an upright position due to the rounded edges, the iPhone does not hold well. However, if you rotate the stand 180ᵒ, the iPhone holds up quite steadily and you can not be afraid to use it that way.

While this keyboard has limitations compared to full-size keyboards, it is very comfortable to type on, even blindly. The Universal Mobile Keyboard has additional keys such as Lock-screen, Mute, Volume, Play / Pause, Search, as well as a key to quickly switch between iOS, Android and Windows modes. The keyboard can be used simultaneously with three devices running under these OS.

Despite the imperfect compatibility of the Universal Mobile Keyboard with the iPhone 6 Plus (work in vertical orientation), it can be safely recommended as a great travel option. It is very compact and allows you to conveniently print even blindly.

Wedge Mobile Keyboard (80 $)

Another handy portable keyboard from Microsoft is the Wedge Mobile Keyboard. It is also quite compact and has a rubberized plastic cover, which, in addition to protective functions, acts as a stand. Fold it in half to create a comfortable stand. It is practically incompatible with ordinary smartphones, due to their small size, but with tablets and larger phones, like the iPhone 6 Plus, it works perfectly. The configuration of the keys in the keyboard is almost the same as in the previous model, it also has additional control keys, except for the Win key.

ZAGG keyboards

The renowned mobile accessories manufacturer ZAGG also offers two portable keyboards that are especially convenient to use with the iPhone 6 Plus.

ZAGGkeys Flex (80 €)

ZAGGkeys Flex is an ultra-portable keyboard. When folded, it does not look very presentable, but it can be very convenient for printing with it. The same ugly case that spoils the view can be easily removed and folded, turning into a surprisingly sturdy phone stand. The keyboard has a mac layout and additional control keys.

ZAGGkeys Universal (70 €)

ZAGGkeys Universal has a curved shape and elegant design. The keyboard is covered with a hard plastic cover, which also serves as a stand. Turning it over gives us a handy dock that fits perfectly with the iPhone 6 Plus. This keyboard is larger than the Flex, but due to the ergonomic design it is more comfortable and has a more presentable appearance.

Apple Wireless Keyboard

While Apple's official keyboard is a Macintosh peripheral, it also works great with iOS devices, even though it lacks iOS-specific control keys. It is larger than the keyboards described above, but it still remains compact enough to provide you with portability in many situations.

To hold your iPhone while printing, you need to use a special case, such as the Origami Workstation ($ 30).

This is a sturdy enough case with a tough fold-over cover that opens and then folds into a pyramid stand. And while this case is designed for iPad, it also works great with any tablet or smartphone, so there's no problem getting the iPhone 6 Plus set up.

Origami Workstation has a proprietary mount that allows the case to be held on the keyboard even in working mode, which is very convenient.

Simpler holders, for example WINGStand ($ 12), are a simpler and less expensive solution. This is a miniature plastic stand (in white and black) made of two parts that attaches to the iPhone like a clothespin.

The clothespins can be moved and positioned on the case as you like, so the iPhone is great both in horizontal and vertical mode. The design also provides for the attachment of the WINGStand to the keyboard - thanks to the cylindrical shape at the base, the holder fits over it and sits very tightly.

However, you don't need to attach your iPhone to the keyboard, and you can place it side by side on a table. Therefore, WINGStand can be used not only for printing, but also for watching videos, for example.

Folding keyboards

Another kind of portable keyboards are foldable keyboards, which are very compact when folded and make them easy to fit in a bag or even a large pocket.

This design is not new. I think some of you will remember the intricate folding keyboards that were available for Palm PDAs and other such gizmos a decade ago. Here is one of these copies, perhaps you had the same.

Unfortunately, those vintage keyboards, even if you still have them, do not support Bluetooth connections, so you can't use their iPhone. You can find Bluetooth versions if you want, but they will likely cost you a pretty penny, since those keyboards have long been discontinued. However, there are many modern keyboards of this type for every taste.

Verbatim Wireless Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard ($ 86)

This keyboard folds in half and has a special slot at the top for storing the complete stand. The stand can only hold the iPhone 6 Plus horizontally, but it has a rather unstable design compared to other counterparts.

The keyboard itself is sturdy, whether folded or not. It has large keys with a soft stroke and clear pressing. However, you will need to get used to one feature - this keyboard has a short space bar, so the Alt and Command keys are in the place where your fingers expect to meet a space. Verbatim comes with a quality leather case to protect your keyboard when not in use.

iWerkz Universal Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard (35 $)

The iWerkz keyboard is in many ways similar to the previous one, it is full-sized and has similar dimensions to laptop keyboards. It is very compact when folded, slightly larger than the iPhone 6 Plus itself. The iWerkz has additional function keys and a hard plastic case that folds into a comfortable stand.

LapWorks Amigo (140 $)

There are even more compact keyboards that take up even less space when folded. LapWorks Amigo, unlike its competitors, does not double, but quadruples. It is a fully versatile keyboard that works with iOS, Android, or any Bluetooth device. LapWorks Amigo comes with a stand for tablets and smartphones, with the iPhone 6 Plus it is convenient to use it only in horizontal mode.

Desktop use cases

Logitech Multi-Device Keyboard K480 ($ 50)

The Logitech keyboard is quite large and difficult to imagine a mobile use case, but it is interesting for its versatility, beautiful design and pleasant tactile sensations.

This keyboard works with several operating systems (iOS, OS X, Android and Windows), and also has a convenient wheel for quickly switching them (you see a bright yellow rotary wheel in the upper left corner, this is it). The Multi-Device Keyboard K480 has a large slot for installing gadgets, which can easily fit a tablet or smartphone, or even both. The keys deserve special attention, they are large, have comfortable beveled surfaces and make the keyboard look like a typewriter - it looks very cool. Perhaps they click too loudly, but for some it may even be an additional plus. The price of the keyboard is also pleasing, which is significantly lower than similar devices.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that when using these keyboards you can do more or less serious tasks on the iPhone 6 Plus, I would not use it as my main workplace. iPhone 6 Plus is smaller than iPad mini, and even on its larger screen compared to other smartphones, sometimes there are situations when there is simply not enough space. However, as an additional work tool, a bundle of iPhone 6 Plus and a portable external keyboard will be very good. Such a keyboard would be a great companion for your iPhone, for example, when you go on vacation or a trip, where the computer will not be available to you, and sometimes you have to work with texts. The keyboard will take up very little space in your bag, but it can be great help out when the need arises.

The standard keyboard found in iPhones and iPads often does not meet the user's requirements, and he has to turn to third-party solutions. In this article, MacDigger reviewed 8 interesting, popular and just good iOS keyboards at once that you should pay attention to.

SwiftKey

SwiftKey is considered the smartest keyboard for iPhone and iPad. The difficult process of typing on the touchscreen is aided by auto-correction and predictive text input in 60 languages.

The keyboard in SwiftKey for iOS works in much the same way as on Googlephones, where it successfully settled years earlier. From the moment of installation, the program remembers what a person is writing and automatically suggests favorite phrases and expressions in written speech. According to user reviews, it seems that the keyboard "reads" thoughts and predicts almost whole sentences literally from the first words.

Word Flow

Late last month, Microsoft released the Word Flow keyboard on iOS, ported from Window Phone. The main distinguishing feature of the proprietary Microsoft solution is the presence of a special function that allows you to quickly type text on the go, holding the device with one hand. Once in Arc mode, users can slide their finger across the fan-shaped keyboard without taking it off the screen or just type on the go. The buttons are angled to make it easier to press while holding iPhone with one hand.

Except for the one-handed mode, Word Flow is almost identical to the WP version. Users can quickly enter words suggested by the program, insert emojis and type text with swipes. To experience Word Flow on iOS, you need an iPhone 5s or later smartphone and an American App Store account. Microsoft is promising to release an international version of the keyboard shortly.

Fleksy

Fleksy can give odds to most players on the market, because for successful typing here it is absolutely not necessary even to hit the right letters. Literally, by taking a five letter word and typing all five incorrectly, the user gets the desired result. For Fleksy, it doesn't really matter how many mistakes were made when typing - the main thing is that the number of letters coincides with the desired word, and their location is relatively close to the approximate ones. Another feature of the keyboard is the gesture system, thanks to which you can type text very quickly.

Minuum

The creators of Minuum (299 rubles) solved the typing problem in an original way - they took an ordinary QWERTY keyboard and "flattened" it vertically, arranging the characters almost in one row: Q a ZW s XE d C. With this arrangement, the usual position of letters will be preserved , and the lack of information about the vertical position of the letter and the inevitable inaccuracies are fairly easy to compensate for using dictionaries and recognition algorithms, which have become almost standard on any smartphone. If you need an exact set, for example, in the case of passwords and URLs, then the desired letter or number can be selected in the enlarged fragment that instantly appears when you touch.

TextExpander 3

The developers of the TextExpander utility (379 rubles), designed to make text input productive on Apple smartphones and tablets, have released the TextExpander 3 + custom keyboard application. The release includes a new iOS keyboard that lets you type hundreds of characters in seconds.

The principle of operation of the TextExpander is to automatically replace the entered short text with a larger fragment. For example, you can specify that when typing the characters "ccc" the program replaces this combination with a long message, for example, "The director is currently on a business trip. You can contact this question by calling 222-33-44 ". And if you enter the sequence of letters "ddate" in the text, the current date will appear.

Slash Keyboard

No third-party keyboard for iOS has become popular enough to replace the default one. The Slash Keyboard developers went the other way, creating a keyboard that allows you to interact with third-party services - Foursquare, YouTube, Giphy, Spotify, Twitter, Google Maps and others. To access the service you need to enter "/ service_name" and the required request. For example, the title of a song on Spotify or the title of an article on Wikipedia.

Gboard

Gboard is Google's proprietary keyboard for iOS devices. It integrates the company's search services, as well as GIFs and emojis. Gboard offers predictive typing, spell checking, gifs, emojis, and search that lets you find and share information without switching to other apps. Among other things, Gboard supports Swype technology, popular on Android smartphones, which allows you to enter text with one swipe without lifting your finger from the keyboard.

The app has already been released in the App Store, but so far it is only available in the US store. The company promised to release a version for Russian users during 2016.

Giphy keys

The largest library of gifs for iOS users a virtual keyboard that allows you to send animated GIFs from any application, including instant messengers, Snapchat, iMessage and social networks. It provides a search for pictures and memes for any occasion, as well as a section with the most popular GIFs. To insert an image, you just need to tap on the picture you like, after which it will be copied to the clipboard.

Romanov Stanislav 27.09.2014 13201

How do I install the new keyboard on iOS 8? TOP 9 best for iPhone and iPad

Apple, having launched new smartphones on the market, updated the mobile operating system to version iOS 8. After updating to it on the iPhone and iPad, it becomes possible to add third-party keyboards, thereby somewhat increasing the functionality of the system as a whole.

But now users are wondering: how to install an additional keyboard, which ones can already be downloaded from the App Store, are they popular and which ones will be released in the near future?

Installing a new keyboard

First of all, of course, you must download and install any new keyboard from the store, you can choose from the list following the instructions. It can be downloaded just like any other application. You can enable a third-party keyboard with a few simple steps:

Step 1... Go to "Settings", open the item "General".
Step 2... Next, scroll down and select the "Keyboards" section
Step 3... In the new section, select the "Keyboards" item again

Click to enlarge

Step 4... After you have installed the keyboard and made your way to this section, click on the "New keyboards ..." button.

Step 5... Then you will see a long list with different sections. If the keyboard is installed, then it will be accessible for selection (in our case, it is SwiftKey). Click on the third party keyboard and it will be added after the main keyboards.

Step 6... Click on the added keyboard to enable "full access" (only for those keyboards that you trust). This will allow you to use all its capabilities.

Click to enlarge

Some keyboards are still recommended to be configured before use. For example, when installing Fleksy, you still have to go to the settings of the keyboard itself and apply the language you need. After activating all the options, launch any application where you can enter text and test the keyboard. If necessary, click on the "ball" next to the space bar if the keyboard has not switched.

Since the keyboard installation process is as simple as any other application, uninstallation shouldn't be a question either. You can simply go to the App Store and remove any third-party keyboard.

TOP 9 Best Third Party Keyboards

Which keyboard should you choose for everyday use, fast and error-free text entry? Most of you may have heard of the most popular keyboards on Android - SwiftKey, which allows you to guess the words and phrases you type, and Swype, which boasts accurate typing. Among others, Fleksy stands out, which also managed to transfer to iOS 8. However, we will offer a longer list for the latest version of Apple's mobile system.

As for the Russian language in keyboards, it is only known that only Fleksy supports it, but it is possible that other developers are trying to introduce it or have already introduced it.

1. SwiftKey - one of the most popular keyboards on Android, ported to the "apple" platform. SwiftKey brings great auto-correction, fast swipe typing and many colorful themes to visually customize your keyboard. The keyboard can in the background adapt to the style of a particular user by guessing the following words. Plus, SwiftKey is equipped with a dictionary sync function between different devices.

3. Fleksy is a third-party keyboard for iPhone that has won the title of the fastest in the world, hitting the Guinness Book of Records. It has over 600 emoji packs (especially if you love emojis). Its functionality also includes auto-correction and appearance change. There are no swipes here, but, as we said, the Russian language is implemented.

4. Ginger Keyboard is one of the promised keyboards for iOS devices. It has not yet been released, but the developers are working on some of its special innovations, for example, a grammar checker, a translator, a dictionary and a number of other useful and large-scale tools, including a personal trainer. So far, these are only promises, and we should wait for the official release of the application.

5. Minuum - a keyboard that is not quite standard in the iOS user's view, which can be transformed into a very compact panel. Moreover, the input of words can be done quite easily and quickly.

6. PopKey is the world's first animated GIF keyboard, whose developers promise to create something really funny. It will allow you to exchange animations, instead of annoying emoticons.

[Coming soon, Free]

7. TouchPal Keyboard is one of the lesser known text input solutions, TouchPal comes to iOS quite quietly and unnoticed. Much like the default keyboard on an impressive number of Android phones. It is a bit like Swype. It is distinguished not so much by swipe input, which has already become a trend, but rather a well-developed design. Gestures help increase keyboard functionality.