Millions of iPhone users are reminded of a little-known tool that could make typing messages much faster and easier.
The new “hidden” keyboard was launched for Apple users last month with the iOS 16 update.
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The new feature means iPhones can now natively support the 86-year-old ‘Dvorak keyboard’ layout, as opposed to the traditional QWERTY keyboard.
Previously, iPhone users had to install a third-party app to use the Dvorak keyboard, which is said to be much more efficient for typing.
Fans of the keyboard say it reduces finger movement by placing all vowels in the middle row on the left side of the keyboard, while placing common consonants like R, S, T, N, and L on the right.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, told Ars Technica that he was excited to use the Dvorak keyboard after first learning to navigate with it in 1993.
“I was on a flight to Tokyo and I was teaching Mavis Beacon how to type in Dvorak mode,” he said.
“It took me five hours to learn it and never looked at a QWERTY keyboard again. That was all it took.”
“My son had already successfully transitioned and learned Dvorak in a short time and quickly got up to the same speed as typing QWERTY in about a week.”
Wozniak added that he liked the “feeling of less energy with your fingers” when using the keyboard.
Those who want to try the new keyboard should first make sure that they have upgraded to iOS 16 or later.
Users should then open Settings and then General.
From there, they need to tap Keyboard and then Keyboards before selecting their language and choosing the ‘Dvorak’ option.
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