Microsoft has announced that it will remove iOS support for Swiftkey''s predictive QWERTY Keyboard application on October 5. However, iOS users who have already installed the Swiftkey application on their iPhone, or iPad, will be able to continue using the application until it is manually uninstalled or when the user migrates to another iOS device.
In 2016, Microsoft acquired SwiftKey, a predictive keyboard company, for a reported GBP 250 million (roughly Rs. 1,990 crore) and has since been working on improving Android and iOS capabilities for the application while simultaneously using it with its own Word Flow touch keyboard technology for Windows.
According to a ZDnet report, the company has confirmed its decision to withdraw from the Apple iOS ecosystem. However, Apple''s security policies as well as its perimeter might be the reason behind Microsoft''s announcement.
Swiftkey''s technology is based on algorithms that analyze large amounts of text and then calculate what users are typing using artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing. This method must be granted permissions, which then allow the algorithms to analyze the user''s word usage and typing patterns. Apple might also fail due to stricter controls already in place.
In a thread, a Reddit user highlighted the absence of updates on the Microsoft Swiftkey app on the Apple App Store. The app hadn''t received an update in over a year.
According to Chris Wolfe, Microsoft will continue to provide support for SwiftKey on Android and the underlying technology that powers the Windows touch keyboard, according to a statement from ZDnet.