Swype looking to expand beyond Android, targeting the iPhone and tablets

By on Jun 24, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Software June 24, 2010

swype_logo

With its unique swiping keyboard, Swype is taking the Android world by storm. The novel input method is gaining worldwide exposure with its inclusion on high profile handsets like the DROID X and by its free public beta for Android handsets. According to Chief Executive Mike McSherry, Swype expects to ship its keyboard on 50 handsets this year, 90% of which are Android. Not content with its good reputation amongst Android users, Swype is looking to expand to other platforms including the iPhone and devices including tablets. It has an iPhone version under development, courtesy of an employee who developed it in his spare time, but has not approached Apple about bringing it to the iOS platform. No word on if or when these alternate versions of Swype will go primetime, but with $6.6 million in funding from the likes of NTT DoCoMo and Samsung, they have the financial backing to bring these products to fruition quickly.

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  • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 mike

    really, i had an app like this on the iPod touch 2 years ago and it was exactly the same, i dont get all the buzz surrounding Swype, it’s easier to type letter by letter than sliding your finger across the screen

    • Bernie

      That’s right, it was called ShapeWriter. Seems it was recently bought out by a company called Nuance who withdrew it from the App Store.

      I got it 2 years ago as well. Easy to use. Apparently it was invented by IBM, so I suppose they have the patents on it.

      • jdawgdiddy

        I’ve tried shapewriter for android and it sucks compared to the BETA version of swype. Something about it doesn’t feel as accurate. Not sure what, but swype ftw

  • Matt

    Really its easier? Have you ever used swype or just talking out your ass

    • Rahul

      I’ve been using swype on my Behold 2 for about a week and I can type waaaaaaaaay faster and easier using swype than typing the old fashioned way. Though I’m not sure how it compares to how fast I could type on a phone with a physical keyboard like the G1 =/

  • webby

    I used a beta version of Swype for some months on my Droid, but it really fought me on words that it didn’t recognize (thus really slowing me down), so I eventually had to quit using it.

    With the new version of beta out now, I thought I’d give it a try again, and did. But now it does not have a voice to text option, a glaring omission IMHO, as I use that 80+% of the time, so again, I quit using it.

    Swype is very promising, but they really need to tweak it a bit more, and they MUST add text to speech. I can’t believe that isn’t on the latest version.

    • jdawgdiddy

      It’s a beta version dude. They omit some features. It is on the full release that come with phones from the factory. If you’re on your texting app in the thread you wish to reply to, hit menu–>Speak. Two presses, same as hitting the text box then the mic icon.

    • Rahul

      If you’re just gonna use voice to text the majority of the time anyway, then you’re not the target market for keyboards like Swype. Just stick to the regular keyboard and be happy.

      and…jdawg is right. my texting app (handcent) includes “speak” as a menu option, can’t speak for all texting apps, but seems like the good ones would include that option.

  • Davis

    Mike: I had the same app. My friend was showing off Swype on his phone, and I couldn’t remember the name of the app I used to have for the life of me. Oh well.

    • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 mike

      yeah i cant remember the name either, i ended up deleting it cuz wasnt such a big deal of an app
      and now they’re pushing the same technology on Android like they just saw the light, duh….

    • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 mike

      okay, i found it, it was called Writing Pad, i just searched it on the app store but it’s not there anymore, i dont know what happened
      here’s a link with more info about the app
      http://www.gadgetlite.com/2008/11/07/iphone-app-writingpad-shapewriter/

  • iName

    not gonna happen, steve would rather kill himself.

    • scarshapedstar

      Jobs will say that it ‘duplicates functionality already present on the iphone’ (because, hey, it’s already GOT a keyboard) and thus…

      BANZORED!!11

  • The Prophet Mohammad

    Why would you need swipe on the iphone or ipod touch? They actually have a multitouch on screen keyboard that doesn’t suck. It’s just as good as a berry unless you are old like half of you cry baby “omg i need a keyboard or its no good” type of fagtards.

    • The Prophet Mohammad

      I do think it would be nice on the Ipad due to its slight awkwardness with two hands typing as compared to two thumb typing.

  • Bill Murray

    Been using swype since the last beta, and it takes some getting used to. Its pretty magical once you do though and its free atm.

  • Superonyx

    The biggest problem with swype on the iPhone is you have to use 2 hands to swype. Since most people are right handed they will hold the phone in the left hand……….opps. SMS wont go through because signal has dropped because according to Jobs you are holding the phone wrong……..hahahaha…. Come on i couldnt resist.

    • kmc

      really? i use swype with just my right hand holding the phone and thumb typing

      • Superonyx

        It was a joke. Man you must be really fun at bbq’s. Sorry to lighten the mood. Back to being boring and serious i guess.

        And i like to tie a rubber band around my left hand until i lose circulation. I call it “the stranger”. opps…. another joke……sorry.

      • scarshapedstar

        Ever try the Reverse Stranger? :P

  • Nico

    I’m loving the Swype beta on my Android. I’m using it right now. I’ve used Shapewriter on my iPhone before, but haven’t used it on my Android yet. There’s another Android app that is similar called SlideIT. All three have their own patented algorithms. Quite interesting really…

  • T

    swype doesn’t hold a candle to a good multitouch keyboard for speed or ease of use…. luckily the Droid X also came with one of those installed that a quick system dump and easy install has now given it to anyone that’s so inclined to install it… I’d wager the iOS keyboard works just as well, also making swype useless.

  • Frank

    The voice recognition of Android is awesome, no need for typing. I tried swype twice on my EVO and it locks up the browser hard core.

  • Vince

    On the topic of Swype versus other apps, other than getting a lot more press, I haven’t seen a significant difference (yet) between it and ShapeWriter on Android. I haven’t tried SlideIT. It seems to work like the old T9 predictive text with the added dimension of including nearby keys/letters in the mix, which increases the speed.With practice sometimes it’s faster.

    Speaking of T9, Nuance changed the name from ShapeWriter to Nuance T9 Trace after acquiring the smaller developer.

    • Vince

      Ouch! In the words of the late Manute Bol, “my bad!” Nuance had it’s own product T9 Trace already when it acquired ShapeWriter in the past week. Nuance had already acquired T9, a product developed by one of the senior managers at Swype.

      Can you say patent suit?

  • http://freewiipointscardsnow.weebly.com/ Free Wii Points Cards

    i never heard of swype till now
    but it sound awesome.. :D

  • Rahul

    Swype is awesome, it just understands me. And the more I use it, the more accurate it seems to get. Plus it’s nice that if I have to tap out a word, I know it automatically adds that word to the dictionary so I’ll never have to tap out that word again (great for names or streets). Also, it automatically included my contacts names in the dictionary which is a must for any keyboard.

  • http://Twitter.com/kunninglingwist babyfacedkayos

    I imagine the fact that Swype has been availabe on windows mobile for about 4 months (hello HD2…) Doesn’t really factor in the fact checking…

  • http://Twitter.com/kunninglingwist babyfacedkayos

    I imagine the fact that Swype has been availabe on windows mobile for about 4 months (hello HD2…) Doesn’t really factor in the fact checking…
    Errors like this are pretty easy 2 avoid.

  • Reg

    Saw some videos comparing the typing speed of a Swype enabled android user versus an iPhone user. Now, in every video the iPhone guy typing
    is acting as if he’s never used an onscreen keyboard in his life.  I tried that same test and managed to type almost twice as fast as Swype.  Guess all the raving about this product is from Android users who have accepted the fact that their multitouch keyboards are shit and need a crutch.  Think I’m trolling?  Watch the videos fellow iPhone users (if you’ve been using the iPhone for more than a week mind you).  

  • jukt

    I love swype, it was such a relief to finally get my beta license because the htc keyboard was driving me out of my mind. . .

  • Reg

    Shit, just realized it did look a lot like trolling. I was weighing in with an opinion that Swype is fine when you can’t properly use your current onscreen keyboard. And maybe some iPhone users do prefer Swype and that’s fine – just watch the videos and judge for yourself.

  • SOUTHERN MISS ELITE

    Hoes love swipe. So even if you don’t like it at all..use it around ‘em. They’ll go crazy.

  • DSmoke

    Love it. It’s more fun than typing.

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