Microsoft has announced that it will end support for its predictive keyboard app ‘SwiftKey’ for iOS and will delist the app from the App Store on October 5. However, the app will continue to be available on Android.
In 2016, Microsoft bought SwiftKey to enter the iOS and Android mobile space. By combining the power of Artificial Intelligence and natural language processing technology, the picks on the users’ unique writing style to let them type faster.
Microsoft SwiftKey is always learning and adapting to match your unique way of typing – including your slang, nicknames and emojis.
That means autocorrect that actually works and helpful predictions, so you can get your point across fast, without errors.
Apple’s policies might be to blame for the end of the SwiftKey app
Microsoft had not released an update on the app for over a year, prompting Mary Jo. Foley from ZDNet to inquire about the reasons behind the delay.
Chris Wolfe, Director of Product Management at SwiftKey responded that SwiftKey iOS will be coming to an end in the first week of October but existing users will be able to use the app until they manually delete it or upgrade their device.
“As of October 5, support for SwiftKey iOS will end and it will be delisted from the Apple App Store. Microsoft will continue support for SwiftKey Android as well as the underlying technology that powers the Windows touch keyboard. For those customers who have SwiftKey installed on iOS, it will continue to work until it is manually uninstalled or a user gets a new device. Please visit Support.SwiftKey.com for more information.”
Although Microsoft did not provide an official reason behind the decision, Foley believes that it had to do with Apple’s policies around “safeguarding its walled garden as anything” and denying access to certain interfaces which a product requires.
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