Productivity Arata!
If you use only the standard iPhone keyboard, then you may want to try other alternatives.
Did you know you can also install alternative keyboards from other companies such as Swype,
Gboard, Word Flow and SwiftKey?
We call these third-party keyboards.
Let's see how.
First, make sure you use iOS 8 or later.
The third-party keyboard installation is as easy as installing any other app on your device.
1.
Pay special attention to privacy before installing third-party keyboards.
Before proceeding, understand the privacy limits.
Some of the alternative keyboards use artificial intelligence to predict the most frequently
used words in your posts.
This means you’ll spend less time typing.
How does it work?
Basically, you are sending a copy of everything you type to the company's server, and it will
calculate how likely you are to use certain words.
By default, iOS does not allow alternative keyboards to receive full access to what you
type.
You have to go to Settings and manually allow full access to third-party keyboards.
That authorises them to send data to their server.
You can change your mind at any time.
(Note that if you enable the feature but later disable it, the information you have already
sent will NOT be deleted.)
Therefore, as the keyboards created by third parties may collect the information you type,
there are privacy risks.
So always read the privacy policy before doing any installation and understand the limits
and risks.
You absolutely do not want to send sensitive information, such as financial data.
One good thing is that when you are typing information in a secure text field, such as
a password field where the characters fields are obscured as you type, the third-party
keyboard’s autocomplete feature is automatically disabled, so it will not get access to this
sensitive data.
2.
How to find the appropriate keyboard.
These third-party keyboards are apps.
You need to go to the App Store to download the keyboard that interests you.
You’ll pay for some; others are free.
In this video I'll show you some apps that work in a similar way.
One is called Swype [arata.se/swype], which is a classic.
Swype pioneered the technique of typing by swiping your finger across the screen.
You will be drawing the words you want by running your finger over each letter.
There are two keyboards that also deserve your attention: one is Google's Gboard, which
facilitates online searches, including for GIFs, so you can do a search without having
to switch to another application.
And Microsoft Word Flow has a different format that helps you type with one hand.
The other is called SwiftKey, and it works in a similar pattern.
Swype has been on the market longer, and in general, it is better to recognize what you
want to type using the technique of swiping your finger.
But if you do not like this feature and would rather continue typing, SwiftKey’s predictive
functionality is better.
To enjoy the benefit of the SwiftKey predictive keyboard, however, we need to use the application
for some time before it begins to recognize our standards.
Most of these apps have easy-to-understand tutorials that will show you how you can activate
the keyboard after downloading it.
In general, you must first download the application, go to Settings, click General, then select
Keyboard and Add New Keyboard.
You will find the keyboard amongst the third parties highlighted above the other keyboard
languages.
After the keyboard has been installed, you will find a globe-shaped icon whenever you
have to type something.
By tapping on this globe icon, you can choose between the different keyboards that are installed.
If you change your mind and want to remove a keyboard that you have installed, just go
back to Settings, General, and click the Keyboard option.
Select the Edit menu and then press the red button with a negative sign.
This allows you to confirm that you do not want to use that keyboard any longer.
This will not uninstall a third-party keyboard app that you’ve downloaded from the App
Store.
If you really want to delete the application, find its icon on your home screen, tap and
hold for a few seconds until it starts to shake, and then press the X that appears above.
What is your favourite keyboard?
Swype?
SwiftKey?
Gboard?
Word Flow?
This Productivity Arata series video was only for Apple product users.
If you have Android or another OS, please leave comments about your third-party application
recommendations.
If you are a Productivity Ninja Course student, log onto the course and you will find bonus
material that has some advanced tips to complement this video.
If you are not yet a student, visit the http://arata.se/timemanagement link to start now.
If you liked this video about different types of keyboards that can increase your productivity,
I'm sure you will thoroughly enjoy the Productivity Ninja course—our advanced course in personal
productivity.