What do Messages app extensions mean for third-party keyboards?Stickers, emojis, and GIFs, oh my! What do Apple's new extensions for Messages mean for third-party keyboard makers?
Apple is opening Messages to developers in iOS 10. They will have access to the iOS SDK and the iPhone's camera so they can create a variety of different apps for iMessage.
The extensions act like a keyboard that you access right inside the Messages app from your "app drawer." You'll also be able to download extensions from a new iMessage App Store.
So, what does this mean for third-party keyboards that focus on emojis or GIFs? What about typing-focused third-party keyboard apps, like SwitfKey or Google's GBoard? Just how much the Messages app extensions affect the course of keyboards is yet to be seen, but I've got a few thoughts.
Emoji will get better
Apple is opening the Messages app up to developers, which means they can create any type of extension they want within the supported framework. If your favorite keyboard has emoji cats or video clips, you can share...
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What do Messages app extensions mean for third-party keyboards?
