On the heels of yesterday’s post about alternative text selection, how about alternative keyboards? Where this type of utility was verboten on iOS for so long, Apple appears to no longer have a problem. The early leader for alternative keyboards is Fleksy (App Store)(website). I downloaded it and found it interesting but not so mind-blowing that I’d put all my text in their app exclusively.

Now Fleksy has opened up their SDK for anyone on iOS. The mechanic lets you start using the Fleksy keyboard once you activate the copy and paste pop-up selections. I’m curious how long the selection of that keyboard will “stick” after the users decides to start using it. If it reverts to the standard keyboard when you close the app, I think they are in trouble. If Apple really wanted to embrace alternative keyboards, they’d need to make it a preference. Don’t hold your breath on that one.

Regardless, I’m curious to see how much traction this gets. If forced to handicap it, I think this will be one of those edgy nerd-things. However the ability to use colors and themes may be enough to draw in the muggles.