iOS 8 introduced the ability for users to add third-party, custom keyboards to their iDevices. One of the most popular right now is TouchPal. TouchPal has some unique features that make typing a more pleasurable experience for some, especially for those who like the “swipe-to-type” feature found on many Android devices.
Here’s a look at the new keyboard:
You can access the Emojis by holding the Enter (Return) key, rather than having to click the globe and switch to a the Emoji keyboard. This works even if you don’t have the Emoji keyboard added to iOS 8. In fact, you can delete the Emoji keyboard and the English keyboard both and just use TouchPal keyboard.
Here’s a look at what happens when you hold the Enter key:
Notice at the bottom, on the space bar, it says “English.” Press, hold, and swipe left or right to end up with the following:
And, to make your life easier, you no longer have to switch views to hit numbers. Instead, you can press and hold the top row, and you'll be given the option whether you want to choose the letter or the number:
And, lastly, the swipe-to-type feature:
If you’re interested in getting TouchPal, head over to the App Store and download it. The instructions on how to install it appear the first time you launch it, but we’ve reproduced them here for your convenience.
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard > TouchPal Keyboard
Now, click on TouchPal Keyboard and click “Allow Full Access”:
That’s all there is to it!
Enjoy TouchPal!
