While iOS 10 came with a range of new features that make it a worthy upgrade from iOS 9, it seems Apple has been testing out some features that have yet to make it to a final build.
A developer has found a hidden one-handed keyboard in the iOS code base, which shifts character keys to the left or right based on the user swiping in either direction.
The keyboard was discovered by developer and Twitter user Steve Troughton-Smith, who says it seems to have been lurking in the code “since at least iOS 8”.
It seems Apple has been toying with the keyboard, which also expands copy and paste buttons, for some time, then.
Related: iPhone 7 review
https://twitter.com/statuses/788868170270531584
Unfortunately, the hidden feature looks to be unfinished, and remains inaccessible to regular users for the time being.
If activated, the feature would allow users to swipe left or right from the edge of their phone to shift keys to either side, reduce the width of the keys themselves, and bring up dedicated cut, copy, and paste buttons.
Steve Troughton-Smith managed to uncover the code by hacking the iOS Simulator – software that simulates iOS on Macs for development purposes.
Could we see the one-handed keyboard enabled in a jailbroken phone in the future? Perhaps. Or maybe Apple will finally roll it out officially with a future update.
Whatever the case, stay tuned for the latest, as we’re sure there will be more to come from Apple’s one-handed keyboard.
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Let us know if you’d like to see the feature enabled in a future iOS update in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
