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There's one thing you can always count on when Apple releases a new beta version of iOS: Developers digging through its code in search of new features. 。

As always developer Steve Troughton-Smith was quick to discover there are two hidden keyboards for iPad that Apple is likely testing internally within the newly released iOS 10.3 beta. 。

The first is a "floating" keyboard that hovers above apps in a "picture-in-picture"-like window. According to Troughton-Smith, the little keyboard, which seems like it's perfect for one-handed use, can be moved around anywhere on the screen, including when two apps are open in split-screen mode.。

And this is iPad's floating keyboard. Both of these are kinda fiddly and awkward and it's not hard to see why they didn't ship as-is pic.twitter.com/YB1q18ei2w。

— Steve T-S (stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2017
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— Steve T-S (stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2017。

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It does make you 🤔 about trackpad mode, however. pic.twitter.com/SFCZR5o5vn  。

— Steve T-S (stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2017。

A smaller "floating" keyboard has obvious benefits. For one thing, it doesn't cover up the entire screen. And it could be useful for changing input between two split-screen apps without needing to minimize the keyboard.。

The other hidden keyboard tucked deep within iOS 10.3 beta is a "gestural keyboard" which lets you swipe left and right on any key to perform a backspace or space. You can see it in action below:
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This is iPad's gestural keyboard (similar to Playgrounds' programmer one). You can swipe left/right on any key to backspace or space pic.twitter.com/jaskd0EEEh。

— Steve T-S (stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2017。

Apparently, the keyboard has been hidden since iOS 10. Why Apple didn't "activate" the keyboards in the beta release is anyone's guess. But it wouldn't be the first time Apple's had a secret keyboard hidden in iOS. 。

In October, Troughton-Smith was also the first to discover a hidden keyboard on the iPhone that seemed to be designed for easier single-hand operation. 。

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