Swype is freaking awesome (new keyboard for android devices)

[Martin]

for those unfamiliar with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCWwuIXxBuI


They have an app for Android, but the beta is closed so after some browsing, I found the apk posted on xda-developers. I tried it out and its really does work - I was typing faster right off the bat.

I put the apk on my website if you guys wanna give it a try: http://phonalyzr.com/com.swype.android.inputmethod.apk

 

[Fenixgoon]

i've seen a couple versions of this tech in various videos - it definitely looks like it could work for touch interfaces.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Does this actually work well for non-capacitive screens?

 

[Martin]

Does this actually work well for non-capacitive screens?

Probably not. But then again, the HTC Tattoo is the only android phone I know of that has a resistive screen and probably few if any new phones will have it.

After playing around with it some more, I ahve to say it really is quite good. I think I can type about 2x faster than with the default android keyboard.

 

[slightlyhuman]

installed the apk via linda file manager. installed it but have no idea how to make it open? don't see it anywhere..

rooted g1 with fasttest 3.0 rom.

 

[sygyzy]

installed the apk via linda file manager. installed it but have no idea how to make it open? don't see it anywhere..

rooted g1 with fasttest 3.0 rom.

Go to your Settings | Keyboard | then check the box for Swype.

Now open up an email or find a text box (even search) and press and hold. Now you get to choose which keyboard you want. Choose Swype.

 

[Raduque]

Just watching the video, I don't like it.

Can't run it anyway, it complains about my screen resolution.

 

[rudeguy]

Just watching the video, I don't like it.

Can't run it anyway, it complains about my screen resolution.

same here. IIRC, there are different apk's for different resolutions.

 

[vshah]

what phone are you using OP?

 

[Deeko]

Swype is absolutely fantastic. I had my first experience with it on the Droid - and after I got used to it, I actually used Swype more often than the hardware keyboard. I was iffy on buying the HD2, because of my general distaste for on screen keyboards...until I learned it came bundled with Swype. That's all I needed to hear.

As for the question about resistive screens - Swype actually made its debut on the Samsung Omnia II, a Windows Mobile 6.5 phone with a resistive touch screen. So I'd imagine it will do the job there, too.

 

[Binky]

I put swype on my HTC Incredible. It's scary how accurate it is even when I intentionally go the wrong way initially, but then correct it and head to somewhere near the correct letter.

The fatter your fingers, the less useful swype will be (since your fat ass fingers block more of the screen)!

 

[hanoverphist]

i thought they put a stop on distributing swype on all those mod sites? ive messed with it on the omnia 2, but havent looked for one that worked on my omnia

 

[abaez]

Swype is good, but not the best.

After reading this roundup here: http://www.androidcentral.com/android-centrals-keyboard-roundup (very useful info), I've switched over to Better Keyboard. It's awesome.

 

[Exeodus]

Does the phone have to be rooted to use Swype?

 

[abaez]

Does the phone have to be rooted to use Swype?

No.

 

[Deeko]

Swype is good, but not the best.

After reading this roundup here: http://www.androidcentral.com/android-centrals-keyboard-roundup (very useful info), I've switched over to Better Keyboard. It's awesome.

better keyboard has been the best regular-style keyboard for awhile now. Definitely much better than stock. However, I'm still considerably faster with Swype.

 

[TekShopping]

it seems like it works pretty well not that many typos

 

[Jack Ryan]

ShapeWriter is very similar to Swype and IS available on the Android Market.

 

[Bullhonkie]

I love Swype. Been using it for a few months and I'm a bit faster on it than the hardware keyboard for most things. Typing in web addresses and other uncommon text I still use the hardware keyboard though.

There's a collection of clean looking skins for it here: http://www.droid-life.com/2010/04/28/new-swype-custom-themes-for-everyone/ Pretty sure these are only for WVGA resolution devices though.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

better keyboard has been the best regular-style keyboard for awhile now. Definitely much better than stock. However, I'm still considerably faster with Swype.

Smart Keyboard Pro is even better as it has multi touch.

Also, the modded HTC keyboard is a LOT nicer (than the one reviewed in the roundup): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416

 

[Deeko]

I used both back when I had a Droid...they were ok. They might have improved since then.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

BTW aren't there like multiple "swype" clones for Android? Hard to figure out which one's better.

 

[rudeguy]

APK for myTouch/G1:
http://www.mediafire.com/?412vm1zm445

 

[abaez]

Ok.. Swiftkey is awesome.

 

[Binky]

The biggest negative about swype (at least on the Incredible) is that there is no voice input button, and the voice input is even more amazing that swype.