First off: I text A LOT, so having decent text input options is very important to me. I send upwards of 3500 sms per month
I have known of Swype for a long time now. I enthused about it when i first saw it demoed, but later found it to be less than efficient; but that was on the Windows Mobile platform. Now I might have been a little bit harsh on swype in the past but seeing the final Beta up for open testing i felt I HAD to give it another chance. This is a new operating system after all, and there has been plenty of time to iron out any flaws. So here is my take on it:
it is well designed and feels like a lot of work has gone into it BUT I just don't see how it could EVER be faster than typing with the default Froyo keyboard. For one, you can only use ONE finger, standard keyboard lets me use TWO, thereby doubling PRODuctivity (!); for two, much as Swype's predictive algorithms are GOOD, the fact that the standard keyboard shows suggestions along the top bar as you TYPE is a lot more efficient. In the event Swype gets it wrong you have to highlight the word, press the Swype button in the corner and choose the alternative word. You also hit a stumbling block when it comes to punctuations too as Swype doesn't seem to suggest possessives or other grammatical nuances. So there it is: I'll be Swyping Swype from my Android phone and forever wondering why it even exists.
What do other people think?
leoni1980 said:
What do other people think?
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I think its terrible, horrible and YUK
Kev
Swype has a learning curve. Most people who learn to use it find that they type much much faster with a single thumb than with two.
I swype probably 5 times faster than I type, now that I have gotten the hang of it. Just keep practicing. At first it is slow and sucks. Give it a chance. Now I can't imagine typing on my Nexus without it. I really hate it when I have to go terminal to do something and then have to switch to HTC or standard keyboard to get the emulator to take the input.
moved this thread to general, which is the better place for discussions like this.
So if would type with three fingers you would get triple the productivity? Sorry, but this is BS mate. Same with making mistakes. I don't know about you, but I was making mistakes way too often on HTC_IME, and had to go back as well, or choose a different word from the suggestion list (which brakes my train of thought).
At the end of the day it is all about WPM and if you can squeeze more words on a traditional soft keyboard then do it. I swype almost as fast on my phone as I type on my laptop which in my case means really fast.
I can't imagine using anything other than Swype these days. I switched to it from HTC_IME a few weeks ago and immediately felt an increase in composition speed. However, Swype's dictionary can get a little odd sometimes and there is a definite learning curve when it comes to using punctuation. However, once you get used to it, it's better.
Also, if you are having trouble with possessives, just spell out the noun. Then, drag down to the apostrophe then back to the S. Swype will automatically put the correct suffix on the noun.
Swype has a steep learning curve. But once you've mastered it, it's painful to go back to the primitive way of typing. I think Swype will ultimately become the standard of touch interface. It's perfect for tablets too, knowing that you'll always have one hand holding the tablet and only one hand available to type.
I agree, after mastering swype, it blows everything else away. Also, you are ALLOWED to make mistakes with it versus if I made a mistake on a regular keyboard, it usually screwed up the word prediction.
I say give it a try, man. I disliked it at first too tbh, but now I won't text without it.
I like swype a lot. Just got it last night. It does have word prediction if you want it.
I usually use Swype instead of my Milestone's hardware keyboard!
I would hate to have to revert to the standard software keyboard since Swype is so quick and easy to use once you've practiced a bit.
The new Swype auto-punctuates for you (eg. dont will be don't). Each to their own really, I use Swype when I need to be one handed as I have the hardware keyboard for two hand times, it is a useful setup.
Swype is the faster keyboard, but is my opinion only
when the swype beta on my phone ran out for that day i felt handicapped trying to type on the default keyboard again
once you get used to it, its amazing
Forgot to say, read up up on the tips and tricks. It will amaze you how much faster it can become even after mastering it.
It is my #1 must have, most used app by a mile! I feel awkward even trying to type on a regular keyboard now. There is definitely a learning curve but once you get used to it, it is amazing!
After I got used to swype it's way faster. According to my own speed tests (timed by a stopwatch). I can finish a 40 word paragraph roughly 6 second quicker using swype, and I can FLY using tap keyboards.
It's far more accurate for me personally. For sure had a learning curve but I'd feel naked without it now.
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This might sound odd, but one thing I do like a lot about Swype is that it is fun. I like challenging it sometimes with super-long words, and it amazes me how it recognizes the swiping patterns. Now admittedly, I'm not a "power user" who needs to text and email constantly, so I could understand why people might tire of it, but for longer emails I actually find it very useful, and I think if I had to use my phone constantly, it'd grow on me even more and become invaluable. What I do love, and this is what make Android so versatile for me, is that we get the choice. It's easy to switch from the stock keyboard to Swype in a second, and that's valuable in itself, because so many other smart phones don't allow the user that much choice.
One other thing I forgot to mention is that unlike with the stock Froyo keyboard if you type with Swype you have to put in EVERY letter, much like with the old number pad T9. Just for example, almost every word I am currently typing with the stock keyboard requires only half or less of the actual word to be tapped out before it guesses and autocompletes it with a press of the spacebar. This is how I am able to type so fast. It basically ups your word productivity by about 50% at a guess.
A while ago I did some tests and found roughly the following order for my particular fingers (greater means faster):
Swype portrait N1 > landscape iPod Touch > landscape stock Android N1 > portrait iPod Touch > portrait stock Android N1 > landscape Swype N1
In landscape Swype is truly awful... the spacing is just too awkward to make it work. But it's very handy in portrait. Currently I'm on my Milestone so it works out nicely. For my N1 it would be nice to be able to choose separate keyboard options for portrait & landscape modes.
cmstlist said:
A while ago I did some tests and found roughly the following order for my particular fingers (greater means faster):
Swype portrait N1 > landscape iPod Touch > landscape stock Android N1 > portrait iPod Touch > portrait stock Android N1 > landscape Swype N1
In landscape Swype is truly awful... the spacing is just too awkward to make it work. But it's very handy in portrait. Currently I'm on my Milestone so it works out nicely. For my N1 it would be nice to be able to choose separate keyboard options for portrait & landscape modes.
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Agreed. I really wish I could have Swype in portrait and HTC_IME in landscape.
Related
I search to make sure I didn't post something already well known by everyone!
here is the link to download a free version of TouchPal, Chinese/ENglish for the time being...
http://www.cootek.com/_d/TouchPal.apk
I am testing it on Desire 2.1 it is working sofar.
Regards
SebSAB
Works on my Milestone, Chinese and English input but help is in Chinese
I loved TouchPal on PPC hopefully it's just as good on ANDROID.
support! im using it now.
I've never heard of it, but it looks somewhat identical to SwiftKey (which is still in beta though)..
Is it better than SwiftKey?
It's very similar to swift key... It's not like how it was on WM so I uninstalled.
Last I tried this, it was kludgy.. I loved TouchPal in WM, so hopefully it gets to that level.
Still using HTC IME mod myself.
It's definitely not as good as it was on WinMo, but it's still probably the best keyboard for Android now. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to SWIPE keys to select modifiers, rather than HOLD them for a second (which seems like an eternity)
Three main problems keep this one from being perfect:
1) It doesn't seem as snappy as it did on WinMo (using HTC desire now, was using Omnia II before)
2) It's missing the "insert space after completed word" function
3) It is completely missing the '#' key, which makes tweeting difficult sometimes
Oh, and it would be nice if it was skinnable too
Every key imaginable is under the number key keyboard, at least in the T+ keyboard I've always used TouchPal under. You just scroll up on the list. It's not exactly obvious, I actually found it on accident.
That said, TouchPal is a lot better than it was when I last tried it, but it's very laggy and is missing the voice search button, which as far as I know a keyboard just calls, not like they actually write code to do the voice transcription within the keyboard itself.. I know you can long-press the search button for general search, but I like to use the voice recognition in things like Waze to type for me while I drive.
It's 3.4M too. Sheesh. What would help is if it were possible to dump the keyboards I don't use, but I doubt that'll be possible.
I think it still has a ways to go, but it's better than it was. I always loved TouchPal in WM, but I think I'll still have to stick to IME for now. SwiftKey I still just don't like, it's like a pair of shoes that just don't feel right. Can't really say way, just don't like it.
Ah, I found the # key, cool! That's a pretty inconvenient place for it though.
On my device, TouchPal takes about 17M of memory, while SwiftKey takes 50M+. SwiftKey is much smoother though.
I've been using it today, it's working pretty good overall. One annoying thing is it switches to Full QWERTY after going to the number pad input, have to swipe it back to T+
It's prediction is rather good, probably not that much better than HTC IME but the buttons are much larger and easier to type.
I miss the amount of symbols directly available on the keys, however. It is slower to type things like _, which I use a lot
ive been going back and forth from swype (latest beta) to shapewriter. i REALLY like shapewriter. i can type alot easier on it. ive given both enough time for me to get used to, added words to my dictionary etc.. hands down i just prefer SW better. the ONLY thing i hate is the a is too close to the end of the screen, and everytime i type a word like and, a, or anything that starts with a, i always hit the S. i never did this until i got my new case, which i love so i dont want to sacrafice my case, but the border of the top of my case comes close to the edge of the lcd. the swype keyboard is smaller and the A is more to the left, and i always get it on the first try, but i just like SW better.
i also like the "case" button to the right of the "L" on SW, as well as the SW commands like close keyboard, cut, paste, etc. im not sure if you can do a shortcut to close the Swype keyboard or not, but i havent figured that out yet (other than holding Menu, but that doesnt work in the browser for me only in text/emails)
is there anyway the A or the layout can be changed like some of you guys that "theme" the swype keyboard? or are you not able to change that (other than the dev that made SW)?
Swype Beta was the very first app that I made a video demo of. Ah, it brings back memories. It was also the demo that launched with The Droid Demos in June of 2010. However, there was another Android keyboard app that was released shortly thereafter. It was called SwiftKey. Unlike, Swype, SwiftKey doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel…I mean keyboard. Rather, it brings us an even better traditional keyboard. With a sleek look that slightly resembles the HTC Sense keyboard, SwiftKey prides itself in helping you type faster without changing any habits. How? SwiftKey not only has an amazing spell correction engine, but it actually predicts what you’re going to type. That’s right, a keyboard that predicts the future. Okay, so maybe not quite, but it gets close. By analyzing your typing habits and messages, SwiftKey learns how you type and uses this data to suggest what word to type next, allowing you to quickly tap to select or hit space to select its prediction. No hassle guaranteed.
I've got a video demo, as always of SwiftKey. Check it out. Download link provided.
SwiftKey Video Demo with Download Link
I have personally found the stock Htc sense keyboard to be better than Swiftkey because the error correction is way better. I type fast enough that it would slow me down considerably to pause to read and select the word it predicts for me. When I try to type fast as would with the Sense keyboard, I get many spelling errors because of mistypes. With the sense keyboard, most words are corrected properly. Try it. Try typing without worrying if you pursed exactly the correct key. I find portrait mode works fastest as you don't have to move your fingers much. I use two thumbs.
Interesting.I like swype a lot but swiftkey sounds like it's worth a try thanks.
I've been on for the hunt for a good keyboard solution for about 3 years.swype is as close as I've come and as you can see I'm still ferrying..getting.. used to it. :/
I'm actually using SwiftKey right now. I tried Swype for a couple of weeks but found that the words that often come up aren't the words that I meant to swype and I end up going back and adjusting the words. So far I've been very satisfied with SwiftKey but I'll try out the suggestion someone mentioned above about using the stock keyboard. One thing that I would like to see though is multitouch support added to SwiftKey.
In my personal opinion, swiftkey sucks...I am like the first response, it slows me down horribly having to select words. Prediction is no good either. The best keyboard I have found for pure speed has been Smart Keyboard Pro in the market. It's multitouch, the keys are spaced nicely and prediction is accurate and fast along with ability to customize as needed.
admorris said:
In my personal opinion, swiftkey sucks...I am like the first response, it slows me down horribly having to select words. Prediction is no good either. The best keyboard I have found for pure speed has been Smart Keyboard Pro in the market. It's multitouch, the keys are spaced nicely and prediction is accurate and fast along with ability to customize as needed.
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Thats on my list of keyboards to demo
Using Swype and been using it. Tried swiftKey before and it doesn't match up to SWPYE at all..Swype its thee way to Text..
Sent from Htc Evo using XDA App
I'm liking it so far. However, the prediction on the stock HTC keyboard is still the best imo.
Sent from my FROYO'D EVO using xda app
Nothing beats droid multi touch keyboard folks. No fril solution for all your typing needs.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
The fastest keyboard on Android has to be TouchPal, the king of Windows Mobile keyboards.
If you have ever used WinMo, you should know how TouchPal murders any other WinMo keyboard out there. TouchPal Android version is no different.
admorris said:
In my personal opinion, swiftkey sucks...I am like the first response, it slows me down horribly having to select words. Prediction is no good either. The best keyboard I have found for pure speed has been Smart Keyboard Pro in the market. It's multitouch, the keys are spaced nicely and prediction is accurate and fast along with ability to customize as needed.
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As I promised, here's the demo of Smart Keyboard Pro
Smart Keyboard Pro Video Demo
The beta program is about to close but you can still get in:
SwiftKey VIP
admorris said:
In my personal opinion, swiftkey sucks...I am like the first response, it slows me down horribly having to select words. Prediction is no good either. The best keyboard I have found for pure speed has been Smart Keyboard Pro in the market. It's multitouch, the keys are spaced nicely and prediction is accurate and fast along with ability to customize as needed.
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+1 For Smart Keyboard Pro, by far the best I have used. Personally I don't use any prediction, I just seem to make less mistakes with SKP and the mistakes I do make it will autocorrect most of them. I think it is the virtual key resizing that makes it work so well.
So i have swype on my evo and well it is great for portrait mode but when i go into landscape well it just sucks anywho so i was wondering if there is way to get a specific keyboard when portrait and a different specific keyboard in landscape
is there an app or some way to do it rooted way?
I'd love to find something like this too!
Bump - was thinking about this the other day
I mentioned this a long time ago. I really like shapewriter, but would love it if my phone could automatically toggle to the stock keyboard in landscape mode and shapewriter in portrait.
Yeah haha I feel ya, in landscape it takes up the entire screen and swyping across the evo's entire length makes for difficult swyping. I'd much prefer the stock keyboard on landscape
Sent from my EVO
Zori said:
Yeah haha I feel ya, in landscape it takes up the entire screen and swyping across the evo's entire length makes for difficult swyping. I'd much prefer the stock keyboard on landscape
Sent from my EVO
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DITTO DITTO DITTO!! That would rock my socks off. Until then...
I would love this also, swype kinda sucks in landscape...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
there was another long thread on this awhile ago. someone with the know how stated that it didnt seem possible as security measures in android prevent an application from changing the input panel without user interaction. he mentioned that it may be possible to create a new input panel that has swype as the portrait and standard as the landscape though. would just need a developer skilled enough to pull apart the two apk's and somehow get them to work together.
You realize you dont *have* to swipe around the Swype keyboard right? In landscape mode you can use it as a standard keyboard and tap with your thumbs (or however you'd type on a standard landscape keyboard) and use it like any other standard multitouch keyboard.
I was after the same dual functionality as all of you until I realized this. Not so much a realization as breaking a habit of thought.
pseudo_nomen said:
You realize you dont *have* to swipe around the Swype keyboard right? In landscape mode you can use it as a standard keyboard and tap with your thumbs (or however you'd type on a standard landscape keyboard) and use it like any other standard multitouch keyboard.
I was after the same dual functionality as all of you until I realized this. Not so much a realization as breaking a habit of thought.
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yeah, but swype not swyping sucks imo. the droid x multi touch keyboard blows swype away in landscape.
bwahahahaha got it, doesnt work perfectly and required tinkering to get it working but good enough.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...ientation-using-keyboardmanager-roottutorial/
have found a few times it doesnt change and have to close the input panel and open it again to get it to change.
actual thread here on xda,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8148657#post8148657
dev is ne0fhyk looks like work has ceased so i advise posting like mad in that thread to get the devs attention and maybe inspire him to pick back up and give some polish to this app.
Not sure if this can be done, but has anyone tried cooking a different portrait and lanscape keyboard into the same apk?
My preferred landscape keyboard is the regular HTC IME, but Swype is way better in portrait.
I'm using one of the themed Swype apk's from this forum because it has the constant mic button.
If these could be combined so I don't have to switch input methods every time I rotate the phone, it would be awesome.
I have no idea if this can be done, but i am def a +1 for this idea. I find it weird that you are the first person to actually say something like this, i always thought of it but never asked lol
same here, would definitely like to have this although I've never seen a mod like this.
Hmmm, that's intestersting. I'm using htc ime metamorph theme on swype, and I love it.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Check out this Xda post for some cool modding of the HTC_ime keyboard Create your own keyboard
+1
I'd actually suggest to move this thread over to the development section - This haas more to do with custom dev than with theming or any specific app.
Basically what we're asking for is an orientation-dependent use of specific keyboards, right?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Yeah exactly. I can't imagine it's that hard, since every other keyboard out there has 2 different forms, one landscape and one portrait. It seems like it would just be a matter of taking the portrait portion of the Swype app, and the landscape from the stock, and mashing them together. I'm sure that getting the dictionary and word suggestion stuff to mesh will be tough, but it can't be very difficult compared to some of the other crazy stuff out there.
(I've seen Ubuntu running on my phone, ffs.)
I like the creative thinking, but I don't get this idea at all. Swype in landscape is useless, but you can still just type on it like any other keyboard regardless of the orientation.
And, there's no way that you could legally take Swype's code and use it in a new apk. On top of that, no one with the insane coding ability that it would take would want to spend the countless hours doing it just to have a better landscape keyboard in swype. The only realistic possibility would be someone writing a program that sets separate keyboard defaults for landscape and portrait mode. But that sounds like a lot of hacking into android for, again, a feature that would have little benefit over just tap-typing with swype when it's in landscape mode.
I actually think it would be very hard to impossible. The problem is that while every other keyboard out there has 2 different "forms" they are still the same program. Android uses XML layout files to define layouts, one is a regular layout, one is a landscape layout, but both run the same programming files on the back end. Swype and the Stock keyboards are VERY different programs. You could potentially create a layout that mimics one or the other, but if you used the base keyboard as your program, it would never support the swype functionality, only tapping keys. Not sure if this explained things well, but it would take quite a bit of coding to make this work, if you ever could.
xaronax said:
Yeah exactly. I can't imagine it's that hard, since every other keyboard out there has 2 different forms, one landscape and one portrait. It seems like it would just be a matter of taking the portrait portion of the Swype app, and the landscape from the stock, and mashing them together. I'm sure that getting the dictionary and word suggestion stuff to mesh will be tough, but it can't be very difficult compared to some of the other crazy stuff out there.
(I've seen Ubuntu running on my phone, ffs.)
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You make some good points. The Swype keyboard, is, after all, a regular keyboard at heart. The swyping bit is just a perk.
After some thought I agree it would be very difficult if not completely impossible to make a mashup like this. But from my perspective, if the Swype application could adopt multi-touch capability, that would be awesome.
When I end up typing landscape on the Swype keyboard, without Swyping, I find that my clumsy fat-fingered-ness would really benefit from multitouch capability.
These are the times I wish I was 1) 10k more times better at programming, and 2) had infinite time to tinker around.
I haven't read the whole thread, but apparently some progress has been made.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636836