New Swiftkey 4.3 Beta Available; Tons of Features & Merges Phone & Tablet Versions

dgstorm

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Check this out! There is a new Swiftkey beta available. It's version number 4.3 and it comes with a huge host of new features. Furthermore, it now has merged the phone and tablet versions into one. The folks at have named this new version "Layouts for Living." This new version not only combines the two former apk's into one, it also includes a set of layouts to all screen sizes. You will also find a new "undock" feature which allows you to drag Swiftkey around the screen to wherever you want.

That's not all though. This new version also includes several new keyboard sizes, locations and layouts. Furthermore, you will also get three different keyboard modes which can be accessed in the quick-setting panel. This is the same place where you find the sizes and undock button. Here's a description of the different keyboard layouts:

Compact: On many larger phones it can be difficult to enter text and hold the phone with just one hand. This new feature reduces the width of the keyboard and allows for easier typing with one hand or gesture typing using SwiftKey Flow. It also frees up more of the screen estate on tablets. You can switch it from the left or right side of the screen by a long-press or by dragging.

Thumb: For those who like typing on tablets in landscape or wide phones, the keyboard can be split into two areas, enabling fast, comfortable typing with both thumbs. Undock it from the base of the screen for even more flexibility.

Full: The traditional full-width keyboard is still available and users with tablets can opt for a layout that is similar to the presentation of a physical keyboard. This layout has left and right cursor keys and the backspace is positioned above the enter key, making it easier to type with two hands when not holding your tablet.

If you want to learn more and/or pick up a beta key, just head to the links below!

Swiftkey blog: New beta out today - Layouts for Living
Swiftkey Beta 4.3 Download: http://bit.ly/sklayoutbeta
 

smalltowngirl13

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I like that it can be unlocked and moved around the screen but I wish it could be made a little smaller than the smallest setting...
 

mountainbikermark

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Taking a look at it now.
If Flow is better this will replace swype as my default. I really like gestures of swype though so that'll make a difference in deciding also.
Thanks for the link!

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Briankbl

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The keyboard layout has never been my problem with SwiftKey. The terrible flow accuracy is. Thanks for putting your time and effort into not fixing the real problems with your keyboard...

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trestevenson

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Hopefully once this version is out of beta and released, I'll be able to download it for my Nexus 7. I paid for it on my Galaxy Nexus, but I received a notification that I needed to download the "tablet version" for my Grouper.
 
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