Microsoft Adds AI Chatbot to Its SwiftKey Keyboard App

Image Credits: Microsoft

Microsoft is integrating the Bing chatbot into its SwiftKey smartphone keyboard app for Android and iOS, the company announced Thursday. The new integration allows users to chat and search for things with the stick directly from their mobile phone keyboard without having to switch between apps.

Bing boasts three major features on SwiftKey: Chat, Tone and Search. With the Chat functionality, you can access the new Bing on the go for more detailed queries. The company explains that the functionality can be useful for a variety of things. For instance, you can use the chat functionality if you’re looking for a clever pun to respond to someone’s message, or if you want to quickly find what dessert pairs well with a specific dish when you’re planning a party with your friends on mobile.

Image Credits: Microsoft

The Tone feature aims to help users communicate more effectively by matching text to text using artificial intelligence. According to Microsoft, this feature can be useful if you're trying to be formal in your work email or if you're learning a new language and need help with word choice. Use this feature to make your writing more professional, casual, polite or concise and better suited for social media posts.

With the Search functionality, you can quickly search the web directly from your keyboard, which essentially removes the need for switching between apps. The company outlines that the feature can be used when you’re talking to a friend and want to look something up mid-conversation.

The new features in SwiftKey are accessible in all markets where the new Bing is available. Anyone can use Search now, but accessing Tone and Chat requires users to sign into their Microsoft Account that has been approved to access the new Bing preview.

Image Credits: Microsoft

It's worth noting that last year Microsoft planned to shut down SwiftKey for iOS, but later didn't do so. Microsoft hopes to increase the hype and popularity of SwiftKey by integrating the new Bing into its product.

The company also announced today that it’s launching greater access to Bing in group chats on Skype. Microsoft integrated Bing into Skype back in February in preview. Group chats now only need one member with access to the preview to talk to Bing.

Image Credits: Microsoft

“This means as a group you can use the new Bing from within the Skype app just like you’d use the new Bing on desktop; you can use it to, for example, settle a debate, help plan a group trip, or find a restaurant for you all to meet at in person,” the company wrote in a blog post. “To get started, search for ‘Bing in Skype’ in your Skype contacts and add it to a group chat, just like you would any other contact. Just like on desktop, the new Bing chat responses in the Skype app which reference facts are cited with web links to sources, so you can double-check where the information is coming from.”

Additionally, Microsoft announced that Bing, Microsoft's personalized news reader, is now available through Microsoft Start.