The new iPhone 8 and iPhone X models are far bigger than the usual handsets Apple produced previously. Their large size makes it hard for users to type with a single hand. Apple has now crafted a one-handed keyboard mode with its latest software update. This will help the users who have to struggle to use the phone with a single hand. Once you activate the keyboard, it shifts to left or right depending on the user’s preference and making it easy to reach across the whole keyboard with one hand.
The feature is available to a limited number of trials for now. But a worldwide release is also expected. To activate the feature, the latest iOS11 software update needs to be downloaded. After downloading and installing the software update, open the keyboard, press and hold the small emoji icon that appears on the left of the space key. This will pop-up a menu that will give the option of compressing the keyboard to the left or right of the screen. Depending on which hand you use for typing, you can either shift it to left or right of the screen.
To shift back to the normal keyboard, tap the arrow in the blank space that is created after the keyboard was shrunk and moved to the side. Or hold down the emoji icon again and select the center icon from the pop-up option. Those who are using a Plus version of iPhone 6,7 or 8, the shrunk keyboard will be closer to the size of a smaller 4.7-inch version of that device.
If a user wants to keep the keyboard permanently in one-handed mode can also do that in the settings. Go to general settings, then keyboard and before selecting the one-handed keyboard, tap off, left or right according to the choice that you want to make.
For iPad users, there is no version of the one-handed keyboard yet. Apple has always hidden the useful features in its software update. Last month, the iOS update included an emergency SOS mode that allows the user to call police, ambulance or fire services anywhere in the world. Even if the phone is out of service area, it will still contact the emergency service that is available in the area. This also gives an option to add an emergency contact who will get a text automatically when the emergency call will end.
Apple’s spokesperson said in a statement, “When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone automatically calls the local emergency number. In some countries and regions, you might need to choose the service that you need.”
