Microsoft is finally becoming mobile , peculiarly for iOS users . The redesign Outlook app is top - mountain pass , especially with recent integrations with Sunrise , Facebook , and Evernote . Microsoft alsorecently acquired SwiftKey , which means that we ’re only go away to see the Office - maker bolden its mobile offerings .
In line with the scheme , today Microsoft release its Hub Keyboard for iOS ( iTunes ) . Office365 users can signal in to their account and then play up the third - party keyboard on their iPhone or iPad to instantly access link to OneDrive files and contacts , both from work and those stored on your phone . And that ’s about it . Hub for Io miss two feature film that were inaugurate earlier this yearwith the Android edition . You ca n’t get at a recent tilt of re-create phrases in the clipboard and there is no translator pecker .
Even give-up the ghost - backbreaking Office365 users who subsist on OneDrive might not be that impressed with the Hub Keyboard for iOS . It ’s not really the “ hub ” the name involve because it ’s just not as robust as other third - party keyboard already out there . I immediately cogitate of Thingthing Keyboard , an iOS keyboardperfect for mobile file - communion . Thingthing integrates not only with OneDrive , but Dropbox , Google Drive , and even Instagram and Flickr . The Hub Keyboard is just not equipped for people who have files stack away throughout various services or who may want to station a co - worker a funny photo of their cat from Instagram .
And even if the Hub Keyboard for iOS eventually gets the smart clipboard and version dick already available for the Android opposite number , it may still not be enough . I was frustrated to read that Microsoft was planning todiscontinue Sunrise as a standalone app , choose or else to incorporate its honest feature into existing services like Outlook . Microsoft has already integrated a circumstances of Sunrise ’s central functionalities into the Modern Outlook for iOS , but if Sunrise is shutting down for trade good , I want its features to be more integral in other Microsoft product .
The Hub Keyboard was the perfect chance to incorporate Meet , the keyboard the Sunrise team built toseamlessly schedule assignment with your contacts . Meet lets you opt available meeting times and mechanically creates a link where the respondents can chime in as to their accessibility . Once a date and time is confirmed by both parties , the issue gets put in your calendar . That type of functionality is idealistic for Office365 user on iOS .
Why this matters : Microsoft ’s new keyboard aims to make Office365 more mobile - well-disposed . But the Hub Keyboard lacks a smart clipboard , a translation puppet , and calendar living , which is rightfully disappointing considering Microsoft could have well follow through them all .
mightily now there is little motivation for me or any iOS user to install and use the Hub Keyboard . At the very least , I need the same feature already available on Android . And if Microsoft really want me to forgive them for buying Sunrise only so they could kill it , then integrating Meet into this would have been a good elbow room to start .
