Skip to main content

Polyglot? SwiftKey now employs neural network tech to keep up with you

Following what appears to be a successful beta test released last month, SwiftKey has rolled out a large upgrade to its app by launching a number of new features that allow the predictive keyboard to speak in multiple languages. So now, whether you’re texting in French, German, Spanish, or English, you can rely on SwiftKey to finish your sentences.

It’s all thanks to SwiftKey’s use of neural networks, which attempt to replicate the workings of  a human brain … in a machine. “Rather than using a digital model of ones and zeros, neural networks create connections and are effective for predicting events in a large database,” explained parent company Microsoft.

Recommended Videos

The application of neural networks was first touted back in September when SwiftKey launched its beta. Back on September 15, the popular texting app wrote in a blog post, “We’ve rebuilt SwiftKey’s language engine from the ground up using the power of neural network technology — the first instance of neural networks being used locally on a smartphone. This gives you more accurate and useful next-word predictions, saving you time and (hopefully) adding a little fun to your typing.”

Moreover, the latest update now also allows users to engage in multilingual typing in up to five languages on SwiftKey for Android. Now, polyglots can “switch seamlessly between Swedish, Serbian, French, English and Azerbaijani,” if they’re so inclined.

“We envision that this powerful technology will fundamentally change the way we type on smartphones over the next five years,” a SwiftKey spokesman said. “Rather than solely predicting your next word, we’re working hard on building a framework for the keyboard of tomorrow. It’s just possible that using this approach the keyboard of the future could know you so well, it’d accurately predict your entire messages for you, in your tone of voice, reflecting the events that go on in your daily life.”

Lulu Chang
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
OnePlus makes Apple Watch owners jealous with novel charging cable
Apple owners are having to pay a lot more for the privilage
A OnePlus smartwatch being connected to the POGO pin on the OnePlus 2-in-1 charging cable

Update 07/16: we've now included mention of Nomad's 2-in-1 charger for iPhone and Apple Watch

Look, I get it. Charging cables aren't exactly the sexiest product in the tech world and I'd forgive you for rolling your eyes - but OnePlus has introduced a new cable at a price point which makes it way more accessible than rivals.

Read more
Google Pixel 10 launch date confirmed with multiple devices teased
The Pixel 10 launch is just a few weeks away
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9's screens.

Invites have gone out for the Google Pixel 10 launch event, along with a tease that there will be more than one product announced.

Google will hold its Made by Google event on August 20, with the invite reading "you're invited to an in-person Made by Google show where we'll introduce the latest additions to our Pixel portfolio of devices." The event kicks off at 1pm ET, 10am PT.

Read more
This leaked iPhone 17 Pro color has me excited for the iPhone 17 Pro
A close-up of the cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro.

I've been reporting on technology for almost twenty years, and I vividly recall the early years of the smartphone industry when companies like Nokia pushed the boundaries when it came to smartphone colors. 

Rather than the less exciting neutral colors that have become standard in the industry — gray, white, silver, and gold — Nokia launched phones in bright red, yellow, and other vibrant colors. Yes, there were still the same standardized options, but you also had bright neon colors, such as the yellow Lumia 1020 or the orange Nokia N8. 

Read more