Microsoft is stepping up its game by integrating Bing Chat AI into the widely-used SwiftKey keyboard for Android devices. This recent update, which began rolling out on Wednesday, enables SwiftKey Beta users to access Microsoft’s Bing chatbot with just a tap of a button within any app.
The Bing Chat integration within SwiftKey offers two modes for users to choose from. The chat mode allows users to converse with the chatbot for quick information, while the tone mode rewrites text directly within the keyboard. This new integration eliminates the need for the separate Bing mobile app, provided users are open to installing and using SwiftKey across their devices.
To take advantage of this new Bing Chat integration, users must download the beta version of SwiftKey from the Google Play Store. Microsoft’s CTO of Mobile and Commerce, Pedram Rezaei, confirmed the feature’s gradual rollout on Twitter but did not mention when it would be available for SwiftKey iOS users.
Microsoft previously discontinued support for SwiftKey on iOS last year but quickly returned the app to the App Store. At that time, Rezaei announced Microsoft’s plans to heavily invest in the keyboard as the company was gearing up to launch an AI-powered version of Bing publicly.
Although the iOS version of SwiftKey has not seen regular updates, Microsoft’s push for AI integration is expected to lead to the Bing Chatbot feature being added to the iPhone keyboard soon. This move might also be a response to the rising competition from several AI-powered keyboards on iOS, including those with ChatGPT integration. Paragraph AI, which allows users to generate text everywhere, is already gaining popularity among iOS users.
Originally acquired by Microsoft in 2016, SwiftKey quickly became a favorite third-party keyboard for both Android and iOS users. In 2015, it ranked as the second-best Android keyboard in The Verge’s roundup, praised for its tracing, autocorrect, and theme support features.