Description: When it comes to keyboard on Android, we’re spoilt for choice, there are so many great options available to us. With keyboards like SwiftKey and Swype though, is there room for any more? Well, choice is a powerful thing and the more choice we have, the more powerful a platform like Android becomes. Magic Keyboard 2 is yet another great keyboard for Android smartphones. Each of these keyboards has their own defining feature and customization is Magic Keyboard’s. It features the ability to configure your own colors, styles and background image and you can also choose from a very healthy list of themes as well. Making Magic Keyboard fit around you, and not the other way around. You can also tweak the settings of the keyboard’s size as much as you like, as well as set up your own shortcuts. All-in-all, there’s a lot to Magic Keyboard 2.
How it Works: You can try out Magic Keyboard 2 for free, for 30 days and you can also get the full version from the Play Store too. After that you need to choose your language.
After that your new keyboard is ready to use. Here’s a quick look at the default settings:
Of course, you can quickly change whatever you want in the settings:
There are a whole lot of themes to choose from as well:
So, if you’ve just bought a new Nexus 5 with KitKat, you can get a keyboard to match it:
You can customize some very granular things, too like the size of the keyboard etc.
Themes are the aim of the game here and you can really create a great theme:
Other big keyboard features, like a whole raft of emoji are included as well:
Opinion: I’ve been an Android user since the 2.2 FroYo days and since then I’ve yo-yoed from keyboard to keyboard, settling between the new keyboard in Android 4.4 and SwiftKey. Both of which are very good but, they both have their annoyances. Thankfully, Magic Keyboard 2 offers a decent all-round typing experience with some competent machine learning and while predictions aren’t as good as SwiftKey you might often find yourself not even needing them. As for customization, this is where magic Keyboard 2 really comes into its own. There are already a myriad of themes included in the app itself but, you can configure it to use whatever image you like, too. Making this a great keyboard for those wanting to really take advantage of Android’s customizability.
Ratings
- Speed (4/5) – The app runs fine and the typing experience is fluid and satisfying.
- Features (4/5) – Right now, it needs some work on predictions but, the overall typing experience is very good.
- Theme (5/5) – With so many themes on offer and the ability to use whatever image you like, this is the most customizable keyboard there is.
- Overall (4/5) – With some attention to predictions and improved learning, Magic Keyboard 2 could rival SwiftKey. However, it’s still a great keyboard for those looking to match everything on their device.
Pros
- Machine learning is in play here so, the more use the keyboard, the better it’ll get.
- Being able to use any photo you like is a nice touch for parents or those with an eye for customization.
- Size and layout of your keyboard can be fine-tuned to how you like it.
- No complicated set up required.
Cons
- Predictions could do with some work.
- Keys in landscape are closer together than they are in portrait.
Conclusion: Overall, Magic Keyboard 2 is a great app that’s off to a good start. It’s yet another solid choice for those on Android looking for a better typing experience. However, right now its predictions need some work. No matter what though, this is easily one of the most flexible keyboards out there, it offers a great typing experience but, also very granular customization. From the myriad of themes already available, to essentially creating your own you can make Magic Keyboard 2 feel like your very own keyboard. You can also take this one step further and make sure the size and layout are just as you want them. Which is great if you have a larger device or a smaller device and you want a keyboard that works well, no matter what.