Available for Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903), the update makes phonetic keyboards available in the following languages: Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. The virtual keyboard on Windows 10 can now learn typing patterns and preferences from the user. Using learning technology, the keyboard will present individualized word suggestions in the languages listed above. Microsoft says the suggestions will help improve accuracy of typing. Until this release, users in India has been forced to purchase third-party hardware keyboards in their individual language. Microsoft also had a download for its Indic Language Input Tool (ILIT). While ILIT is free, it was an added step.
Up and Running
The company has now integrated the technology into phonetic keyboards, removing downloads or third-party tools. “The new tools will not only help in making computing inclusive they are also expected to improve typing speed and accuracy in Indian languages by at least 20 percent. Moreover, they make many regional symbols (like the Indian numerals) easier to input. This has made it simple for users to input transliterated Indic text using the existing keyboards which traditionally have Latin characters inscribed on them,” Microsoft says. Users can jump in and start using the keyboard immediately. Microsoft’s software bases predictions and suggestions on natural language, so no learning process is needed. All Unicode applications and web browsers that run in Windows 10 are compatible with the new language keyboards.
