Swype seeks to upgrade touchscreen typing
Swype is the T9 for the touchscreen generation that allows users to type by swiping a finger across the letters on the screen. Does it solve the issues of fumbling with on-screen keyboards?
While the iPhone has become the most popular smartphone in the U.S., its onscreen keyboard has led to frustration for many. Trying to pinpoint tiny letters with an oversized index finger has proven a challenge for many users of the device.
Swype is trying to make on-screen typing easier by allowing for a larger margin of error in typing. This allows users to swipe their finger in broad strokes from letter to letter, letting Swype determine the proper words.
If it sounds a lot like T9 for touchscreens, it’s because they were both invented by Cliff Kushler. By using the same concept of short-circuiting words, Swype allows for much speedier touchscreen typing.
Currently Swype is only being released for the Windows Mobile-based Omnia II, though that means that it’s not far behind on other WinMo phones. Swype is also prepping a version of its software for Android phones.
In fact, Swype claims to be faster than handwriting or a hardware-based thumb pad keyboard. The company says that Swype users type about 45 words per minute:
It’s interesting to see just how slow the iPhone’s point and tap method of typing really is compared with the other options. In fact, until Swype it was impossible to achieve even half the rate of regular keyboard typing on-screen.
The one problem that Swype doesn’t seem to solve is fumbling around with a touchscreen keyboard while driving or even walking. It seems like the slightest bit of movement or distraction can make it nearly impossible to locate the correct letter.
And while Swype might prove faster than using a hardware keyboard, it might not be intuitive for every user. Like its predecessor T9, it may be faster, but it may just not be for everybody.
Would you want Swype over your current touchscreen keyboard?
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November 25th, 2009
Swype looks really interesting. Plus it was created by Cliff Kushler and that guy knows what he’s doing. I’d buy a phone with it. Sure would be great for tablets as well.