SwiftKey is finally showing signs of its Microsoft acquisition with support for its Translator service. The app’s beta version lets users translate everything they send, cutting out the laborious process of switching to a browser and pasting.
The feature is available via the app’s recent overflow menu, which also gives quick access to the clipboard, calendar appointments, themes, and GIFs. After selecting the option, users can choose any major language to have their message translated as they type.
As you would expect, SwiftKey can’t do the same when the contact replies, but copied text is instantly translated when you open the menu. There’s even a ‘reply’ button for a quick response.
Unfortunately, SwiftKey failed to switch this reply to the correct language automatically, which is something of an oversight. We also experienced lag in some apps when typing longer messages. It’s worth noting that this is a beta, however, and bugs should be polished out before the general release.
SwiftKey 7.1.3.25 Changelog
Microsoft Translate is available in version 7.13.25, which comes with a number of other language-oriented changes. The main one is the ability to type in Dungan, which is spoken primarily by those in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Microsoft has also added support for Tamli99 and Indic native top row symbols.
This follows several significant updates from Microsoft which have added Android P support, fixed long-standing issues, and improved performance. The app is becoming a real competitor to Google’s G Board, which has similar Google Translate support.
You can grab the latest version of SwiftKey beta below:
[appbox googleplay com.touchtype.swiftkey.beta&hl=en_GB]
