--- description: Microsoft may release a new keyboard app for the iPhone with a fan-shaped design that makes it easier to type with one hand. title: Microsoft Could Fix a Big Problem With Huge iPhones image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt33ca6687cbb181b1/69887024ab6d77157a6a70a4/gettyimages-489943618.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Microsoft Could Fix a Big Problem With Huge iPhones  by [Lisa Eadicicco](/author/lisa-eadicicco/)  ## Lisa Eadicicco Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 26, 2016 7:34 PM CUT  A customer checks the new iPhone 6s displayed at the Apple Store Opera on September 25, 2015 in Paris, France. A customer checks the new iPhone 6s displayed at the Apple Store Opera on September 25, 2015 in Paris, France.Chesnot—Getty Images  by [Lisa Eadicicco](/author/lisa-eadicicco/)  ## Lisa Eadicicco Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 26, 2016 7:34 PM CUT Whether you’re watching a video, checking an email, or reading a book, there are some instances in which using a phone with a larger screen can be really helpful. However, certain tasks, like typing, can sometimes be harder on a bigger device, especially if you only have one free hand. Microsoft wants to make it easier for iPhone users to type quickly with its Word Flow keyboard, which is reportedly coming to iOS, according to [a new report.](https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/ios/64142/64142 "undefined") The [Word Flow keyboard](http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/settings-and-personalization/typing-shortcuts "undefined") allows you to type on Windows Phone devices by swiping between letters rather than tapping them, similar to what apps like Swype offer. What’s different about the upcoming iPhone version, however, is that it will have a fan-shaped layout that would make it more convenient to type with one hand, according to a post on industry watcher Paul Thurrott’s blog. The author of the post, Brad Sams, claims to have received screenshots of the new keyboard from an unnamed source. A Microsoft representative told TIME that the company does not comment on rumors or speculation. Each row of keys in the new Word Flow app for iPhone is on an arc that fans out from the bottom of the screen, according to the report’s description. This would theoretically make it easier to type only using a thumb. Apple has its own one-handed feature called Reachability, which moves content toward the lower half of the screen so that it’s more convenient to reach. This feature, however, is only available on the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus, accessed via two light taps on the Touch ID button. Although Microsoft hasn’t confirmed whether or not it’s launching a new keyboard for iOS, an email [published on Thurrott’s blog ](https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/ios/63947/microsoft-is-bringing-its-word-flow-keyboard-to-ios "undefined")suggests it may be compatible to the iPhone 5s and higher if and when it does launch. The keyboard is said to be coming to Android as well, but it’s unclear if it will have the same type of one-handed design as the iPhone version. ### Microsoft’s Newest Product Is Like Apple in Alternate Reality  The flag covering Microsoft's Flagship Store is dropped as the store opens to the public on Oct. 26, 2015. Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store Microsoft's new flagship store opening on Oct. 26, 2015 in New York. Josh Raab for TIME  Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store A help desk and checkout counter. Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store Dell computers are on sale with other laptops behind them. Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store The glass stairs to the second floor. Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store Displays line the walls of the first and second floors. Josh Raab for TIME  Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store Headphones on sale. Josh Raab for TIME  The Hololens, Microsoft's virtual reality headset, is on display but not yet available for live demonstrations. Josh Raab for TIME  Guitar Hero is setup for all to play. Josh Raab for TIME  Microsoft Store Surface Pro computers with the Microsoft logo that will raise and lower itself with the sun. Josh Raab for TIME It seems to be another move in Microsoft’s strategy to expand its apps and services to platforms other than Windows. Last year, for example, it released a new Outlook app for the iPhone and a home screen replacement app for Android. In 2014, it introduced a version of Office made specifically for the iPad. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4194331/microsoft-keyboard-iphone/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4194331/microsoft-keyboard-iphone/"},"headline":"Microsoft Could Fix a Big Problem With Huge iPhones","datePublished":"2016-01-26T19:34:04.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:44:09.883Z","description":"The company is reportedly working on a new keyboard app that's easier to use with one hand","url":"https://time.com/4194331/microsoft-keyboard-iphone/","keywords":["Tech","apps","iPhone","Microsoft"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt33ca6687cbb181b1/69887024ab6d77157a6a70a4/gettyimages-489943618.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lisa Eadicicco","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/lisa-eadicicco/"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt33ca6687cbb181b1/69887024ab6d77157a6a70a4/gettyimages-489943618.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Apple's I Phone 6S : Launch at Apple Opera Store In Paris","caption":"Apple's I Phone 6S : Launch at Apple Opera Store In Paris","creditText":"Chesnot—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-tech/","name":"Tech"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4194331/microsoft-keyboard-iphone/","name":"Microsoft Could Fix a Big Problem With Huge iPhones"}}]}] ```