Xperia Keyboard now available in the Google Play Store, Sony device still required

Sony has moved its Xperia keyboard into the Google Play Store, but you still won't be able to get it if you're not using a Sony device. Sony's move echoes the actions of Google, who has been steadily moving more and more core app elements of Android — from the Google Keyboard to yesterday's Google Camera — into Google Play. Sony's likely done so for the some of the same reason as well: they can update the keyboard and have it on users' devices without worrying about waiting for carrier approval for a full-on operating system update.

The move to Google Play does bring a new feature for the Xperia Keyboard. Your keyboard preferences can now be backed up and synced to your other Sony devices through the Sony Entertainment Network. Sony has also improved the layout for the Thai language.

Those with compatible can check out the updated Xperia Keyboard now in Google Play. If that's you, let us know what you think in the comments.

Derek Kessler

Derek Kessler is Special Projects Manager for Mobile Nations. He's been writing about tech since 2009, has far more phones than is considered humane, still carries a torch for Palm (the old one), and got a Tesla because it was the biggest gadget he could find. You can follow him on Twitter at @derekakessler.