Apple’s secretly working on a ‘floating’ keyboard for iPad

There’s one thing you can always count on when Apple releases a new beta version of iOS: Developers digging through its code in search of new features.

As always developer Steve Troughton-Smith was quick to discover there are two hidden keyboards for iPad that Apple is likely testing internally within the newly released iOS 10.3 beta.

The first is a “floating” keyboard that hovers above apps in a “picture-in-picture”-like window. According to Troughton-Smith, the little keyboard, which seems like it’s perfect for one-handed use, can be moved around anywhere on the screen, including when two apps are open in split-screen mode.

The miniaturized keyboard even supports trackpad mode:

A smaller “floating” keyboard has obvious benefits. For one thing, it doesn’t cover up the entire screen. And it could be useful for changing input between two split-screen apps without needing to minimize the keyboard.

Apparently, the keyboard has been hidden since iOS 10. Why Apple didn’t “activate” the keyboards in the beta release is anyone’s guess. But it wouldn’t be the first time Apple’s had a secret keyboard hidden in iOS.

In October, Troughton-Smith was also the first to discover a hidden keyboard on the iPhone that seemed to be designed for easier single-hand operation.

Apple could also be saving the new keyboards for a future version of iOS. Perhaps even iOS 11, which is expected to be announced at WWDC in June and ship in the fall with the new iPhones. As for iOS 11, there’s only one rumor so far: group FaceTime calls.

The other hidden keyboard tucked deep within iOS 10.3 beta is a “gestural keyboard” which lets you swipe left and right on any key to perform a backspace or space. You can see it in action below:

Apparently, the keyboard has been hidden since iOS 10. Why Apple didn’t “activate” the keyboards in the beta release is anyone’s guess. But it wouldn’t be the first time Apple’s had a secret keyboard hidden in iOS.

In October, Troughton-Smith was also the first to discover a hidden keyboard on the iPhone that seemed to be designed for easier single-hand operation.

Apple could also be saving the new keyboards for a future version of iOS. Perhaps even iOS 11, which is expected to be announced at WWDC in June and ship in the fall with the new iPhones. As for iOS 11, there’s only one rumor so far: group FaceTime calls.