Microsoft's One-Handed Keyboard Will Give Your Thumb A Break

If you've ever struggled to tap out a text message with one thumb, you know most smartphone keyboards aren't built for single-handed typing.

Microsoft is trying to change that, however. The tech company's new Word Flow app, released for iOS on Monday, lets users trade the standard iPhone keyboard for a version that accommodates one-thumbed typing. The curved design reduces the space between the keyboard's edges, making it easier to reach letters at the far end. It also leaves room for a bigger space bar.

In addition to the snazzy new keyboard, Word Flow can also predict what users will type next and has a feature that lets users swipe to type.

The keyboard has a few potential drawbacks, though. Letter keys are smaller than most people are probably used to, upping the chances for error. In addition, the curved keyboard takes up more vertical space than the traditional iPhone keyboard, reducing space for displaying messages.

Microsoft also released another keyboard app, Hub, earlier this month. Unlike Word Flow, Hub is designed to make it easier for users to multitask on their devices by allowing them to search for and share documents on other Microsoft services, like OneDrive.

These apps are just two of a huge number of alternative keyboards to hit the market in the last few years, turning what were once miniature versions of computer keyboards into complex communication centers decked out with emojis, GIFs and audio recorders.

H/T Gizmodo