Swiftkey releases symbols keyboard for people with language difficulties

Swiftkey has created a keyboard for people who have difficulties with language, such as some children with an autistic spectrum disorder. Users can tap symbols and own photos instead of letters on the keyboard.

Swiftkey Symbols, like regular releases of Swiftkey, has prediction for the next character based on symbols the user has tapped before and based on the time of day. These can be symbols as well as photos that users have put in themselves.

The keyboard is intended for people who have problems with communication via language and therefore cannot communicate via regular keyboards. This includes children with an autistic spectrum disorder, some of whom never learn to speak.

Swiftkey created Symbols during its Innovation Weeks and offers the application for free, with no in-app purchases. The application will remain free because Swiftkey wants to help people and organizations with it. The idea came from some members who have experience with autism in their families.