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Microsoft SwiftKey is a virtual keyboard app originally developed by TouchType for Android in July 2010,[1] with an iOS release in September 2014 following Apple's implementation of third-party keyboard support.[2]

History

The company behind SwiftKey was founded in 2008[3] by Jon Reynolds, Ben Medlock, and Chris Hill-Scott.[citation needed] Their head office is located at the Microsoft offices in Paddington, London, with other offices in San Francisco, California, and Seoul, South Korea.[citation needed]

In September 2013, SwiftKey announced a series B finance round totaling US$17.5 million led by Index Ventures, along with Octopus Investments and Accel Partners.[4]

In May 2014, SwiftKey hired James Bromley as COO.[citation needed]

In February 2016, SwiftKey was purchased by Microsoft for US$250 million (~US$311 million in 2023).[5]

In May 2020, the app was rebranded as Microsoft SwiftKey to reflect its present ownership.[6]

In September 2022, Microsoft announced that it would end support for the iOS version of SwiftKey. The app was ultimately removed from the App Store on 5 October 2022.[7] However, in November 2022, Microsoft announced that they decided to reverse its decision to discontinue SwiftKey for iOS devices. The app was relisted on 18 November, with Microsoft assuring future updates for the app. The company cited "customer feedback" as a reason for SwiftKey's return.[8]

Overview

Microsoft SwiftKey is a virtual keyboard released on the Android and iOS operating systems. The purpose of the app is to increase efficiency while typing on a mobile phone. According to the Microsoft SwiftKey website, SwiftKey allows the user to speed up their typing process by "giving them more accurate autocorrect and predictions by learning their writing style".

References

  1. ↑ Hamelin, Ron (14 July 2010). "Swiftkey Keyboard For Android Now Available In The Market As A Public Beta. Swype Begone - It's That Good!". Android Police. 
  2. ↑ Bryant, Martin (17 September 2014). "SwiftKey for iOS Review". The Next Web. 
  3. ↑ "[Withdrawn HQ-UK: The international hub for your digital business (online version)"]. GOV.UK. 17 May 2019. 
  4. ↑ "SwiftKey the clairvoyant keyboard raises 17.6 million". Forbes. 
  5. ↑ Lunden, Ingrid; Butcher, Mike (3 February 2016). "Microsoft Confirms SwiftKey Acquisition (For $250M In Cash)". TechCrunch. 
  6. ↑ "SwiftKey becomes Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard, years after acquisition". Pocket-Lint. 13 May 2020. 
  7. ↑ Foley, Mary Jo (28 September 2022). "Microsoft is phasing out SwiftKey for iOS". ZDNet. 
  8. ↑ Volvoikar, Palash (19 November 2022). "SwiftKey for iOS is back 45 days after Microsoft announced it was going away". iMore. 

External links