SwiftKey's Swiftmoji Android app predicts emoji as you type

Smart keyboard app maker SwiftKey is testing its latest app Swiftmoji - a predictive keyboard app that suggests emoji as you type. Swiftmoji helps users find and type the appropriate emoji to text conversations. According to reports, the app has launched in a private beta test on Google Play. SwiftKey tells TechCrunch that only a small number of people will be accepted into the beta. The report adds that the company has made no formal announcement about the app’s debut and did not provide any additional information when asked about its public launch and plans for other platforms. This AI technology based app will understand the context of what you are typing and will update emoji suggestions as you continue. Earlier this year, tech giant Microsoft shelled out about $250 million to acquire UK-based Swiftkey. It would appear that, in essence the deal would be redundant for Microsoft, which has its own keyboard app called Word Flow — albeit available only on Windows Phones. But Microsoft is interested in the predictive technology that powers the SwiftKey app. Harry Shum, Executive Vice President, Technology and Research at Microsoft had said in his blog at the time of the acquisition, “This acquisition is a great example of Microsoft’s commitment to bringing its software and services to all platforms. We’ll continue to develop SwiftKey’s market-leading keyboard apps for Android and iOS as well as explore scenarios for the integration of the core technology across the breadth of our product and services portfolio. Moreover, SwiftKey’s predictive technology aligns with Microsoft’s investments and ambition to develop intelligent systems that can work more on the user’s behalf and under their control.”