In-keyboard access to cloud and contacts
Puts clipboard, document and contact tools into the typing bar: access clipboard history, OneDrive links, and contact cards without leaving an app. Built by Microsoft Corporation as an experimental mobile input method, Hub Keyboard integrates Office 365 search, translation, and a thesaurus into the keyboard interface. It prioritizes quick information sharing over visual themes, and it fits professionals and students who need to paste documents or contact details while messaging or composing on their phone.
What it changes about typing and app switching
Hub Keyboard converts the input field into a productivity panel by embedding clipboard history, document search, contact insertion, and web link search directly into the keyboard. The keyboard exposes Office 365 document links from OneDrive and SharePoint, offers a built-in translate tool, and provides a thesaurus. These capabilities let users retrieve items without opening separate apps, since the keyboard acts as the conduit for those services.
How much control you get over content insertion
Control centers on selecting and inserting items rather than customizing appearance. The keyboard lists recent clipboard entries for direct paste, searches the Office 365 directory for contacts, and returns web results from Bing for quick sharing. There are no mentions of advanced theme or layout personalization in its feature list, so customization focuses on what you insert and which account the keyboard queries.
Does it require accounts or extra permissions to work?
Some features need account access and directory permissions. Basic typing worked for everyone, but searching and sharing Office 365 documents and contacts required an active Office 365 account. The keyboard operates as an input method on Android, which means it requests the standard keyboard permissions needed to read typed text and access clipboard entries when enabled.
Availability, setup friction, and alternatives
Installation and continued use depend on distribution status. Hub Keyboard launched on the app store but was later retired from listing when the experimental project concluded, so new installs are not generally available through the store. Microsoft SwiftKey is named as the suggested alternative for users seeking a maintained keyboard with overlapping capabilities.
Clear usefulness for Office 365 power users, limited by its retired status
Hub Keyboard is a focused productivity tool for users who need direct access to cloud documents and contacts while typing, but it relies on Office 365 connectivity for core features and is no longer listed on the app store. For those who need maintained support and broader typing features, a maintained Microsoft keyboard app is a reasonable next step.
