Develop Bugs

Why is Swype the keyboard of choice for the majority?

Questionnaire for Swype lovers:
1. Do you only like using one hand/finger to type (is this why swype is the laziest or best way to you?)
2. Have you used an iphone or ipod touch keyboard and what is your opinion of it?
3. Is this the best keyboard for very fast typers?
4. Is this the most useful one for the EVO?

1. Using one finger is nice, but I think the amount of accuracy needed for swype is what makes it the best for me. You can be way off with where you draw on the keyboard and still get most words right. Most other keyboards require you to be more accurate with letters or count on the predictions to be right when you make mistakes. Holding the phone with one hand tends to be a better way to use the phone in portrait mode, as you're usually using one finger to navigate through the OS anyways.
2. iphone keyboards are quite nice, one of the touch screen keyboards that gives you a good idea of what key you hit, one of the things that really cuts down on your errors.
3. I believe for most people it is. There are plenty of people who are just really good at touch screen keyboards, and the pop-up box in Swype does get in the way sometimes, possibly slowing you down if you type really fast. The number keyboard isn't the best one out there either. Some words I continually mess up, like I always get "wasn't" when I try to type "want", it annoys the crap out of me. But in general, you can type very quickly on Swype without that much practice.
4. Hard to say it is the most useful when we're still waiting for that speech-to-text button.
Swype definitely makes a great keyboard, as functional as it is, it's also fun to do and has a bit of that wow factor.

1. Do you only like using one hand/finger to type (is this why swype is the laziest or best way to you?) Personally I do text with my thumb only, even before swype. That just makes it easier for me.
2. Have you used an iphone or ipod touch keyboard and what is your opinion of it? I had the original iphone for years, didnt do alot of texting because it wasnt free like my evo, the keypad was pretty functional that I found till my screen cracked and screwed up the touch sensing a bit.
3. Is this the best keyboard for very fast typers? I like to think Im a fairly quick type, at least in standard orientation, landscape I slow down a bit. I type faster with swype then I got voice to text.
4. Is this the most useful one for the EVO? That Ive found, personally, yes.
__________________

I use swype but you can be totally accurate with stock.
Try this. Instead of just tapping away.
After you click a letter pops up. If its not your letter move your finger til it is..
If swipe had VTT id switch perm

I hate Swype.
I use TouchPal, WinMo style.

I like it because with a bit of practice I can type without hardly looking at my phone. Having good spelling is beneficial.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

1. Do you only like using one hand/finger to type (is this why swype is the laziest or best way to you?)
I usually only use one thumb if I'm being quick. For a long message, I hold the phone with my left and swipe with my right pointer finger.
2. Have you used an iphone or ipod touch keyboard and what is your opinion of it?
I have not.
3. Is this the best keyboard for very fast typers?
From what I've heard, it is. It even has some prediction abilities, but you don't get to use them much when swiping. There's another 'fast keyboard' that is now out, SwiftKey. If you only like touch typing, this thing is great. It learns your speech patterns over time and predicts the entire next word. It's supposed to be creepy how well it works.
4. Is this the most useful one for the EVO?
I think it is.

While I don't have Swype (unfortunately ) I use ShapeWriter which is essentially the same thing. I like being able to effectively and quickly text with one hand. I find it faster than the stock keyboard+smart keyboard mainly because I'm a long time hard keyboard user and the lack of (stock) multitouch on the Evo is a blower. And I've used the iPhone/iPod Touch keyboard and think they're really good, actually.

I vastly dislike Swype.
Grab the SwiftKey beta off the Android Market, let it rifle through your text messages, and then it predicts what you are going to say before you even say it. I've been using it since yesterday afternoon and stats say it has saved me 1320 keystrokes, making me 22% more efficient and the number keeps going up.

I tried Swype...even forced myself to like it, but I just couldn't get used to it. I owned the iPhone 3G and 3G and I have to admit that the QWERTY keyboard was top-notch.
Currently I switch between the HTC keyboard and the Droid X keyboard that is located here.

I'm getting better at using swype, and like it a lot so far. Swiftkey is amazing though, probably the best normal keyboard i've used. I'm still debating on which one I like better myself. Swiftkeys prediction is absolutely amazing.
If you don't like swype I'd go with swiftkey in a heartbeat

I *LOVE* Swype & a huge pimper of it. I'm a fast touch typer & can do pretty well with Swype. I love it. I can really get going on Swype.

EtherealRemnant said:
I vastly dislike Swype.
Grab the SwiftKey beta off the Android Market, let it rifle through your text messages, and then it predicts what you are going to say before you even say it. I've been using it since yesterday afternoon and stats say it has saved me 1320 keystrokes, making me 22% more efficient and the number keeps going up.
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Click to collapse
wow thanks for showing me this, great keyboard!

booyakasha said:
wow thanks for showing me this, great keyboard!
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Click to collapse
No problem. I actually have been using the portrait keyboard now whereas I had to use the landscape all the time before.
I didn't have many SMS messages for it to go through since I do everything through Google Voice but it is learning my texting style quickly.

Borg1982 said:
Questionnaire for Swype lovers:
1. Using one finger is easiest for me to type on the Evo
2. I think the iphone keyboard is probably the best one if you're typing each key individually.
3. I'm a fast typist on a laptop but I'm not a natural on a virtual keyboard (my old phone was a very old Q). Swype allows me to type fast with a minimum of typos.
4.Well, for me it is.
Two things about Swype: you need to know the keyboard (no hunting and pecking) and you need to know how to spell otherwise you get nonsense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

i used shapewriter and liked it. i used swype for a while and liked it. i have migrated to UltraKeyboard becuase i'm sick of the betaGames that Swype is playing.
for most communication based input, these have become my preferred type of keyboard. for things that require non dictionary type text (usernames, passwords, etc) then i prefer to use the traditional keyboard.
Questionnaire for Swype lovers:
1. Do you only like using one hand/finger to type (is this why swype is the laziest or best way to you?)
... once accustomed to the alternate keyboard, i feel quicker and smoother at inputing text.
2. Have you used an iphone or ipod touch keyboard and what is your opinion of it?
... no.
3. Is this the best keyboard for very fast typers?
... its different like using a pencil in standard font vs cursive with a nice smooth gel pen. i can say this....when i first tried this type keyboard..i didn't like it. took me a bit.
4. Is this the most useful one for the EVO?
... personal preference would dictate that.

1. Yes I do
2. Just left an iPhone and while its onscreen keyboard is great just trailing my finger on a screen seems faster
3. I wouldn't say you type on it you swype lol
4. So far after using it I haven't used the htc ime mod one since

I tried Swype beta and after a week of use, I still was not completely impressed. I recently tried out SwiftKey, and I think the prediction capabilities on that is downright scary. I'm probably going to purchase SwiftKey when my trial runs out.
It all depends on the person, so find one of the many keyboards out there and text until your thumbs fall off!

I prefer Ultra Keyboard. It has a "trace" option that is similar to swype but the entire keyboard is customizable - skins, fonts, colors, etc. It has a dictionary, translator, taskbar with icons, and all sorts of stuff. I cant find anything ti is lacking.

I've never been a fan of Swype.....
XT9 all the way

Anyone else try alternative keyboards and still sticking with stock?

I had some teething issues with the EVO keyboard at first, it was my first on-screen keyboard experience and not quite as painless as I was hoping for. This and other small things like not being able to easily dismiss the suggestion bar led me to try out other keyboards. After going through all of them, Smart Keyboard Pro, SwiftKey, Swype, HTC_IME mod, I still find myself returning to stock. Despite its occasional shortcomings, it continually feels the most responsive, least laggy, and provides the best prediction compared to everything else. Its layout and look and feel are also great and fit the phone well, something I value since it's easy to make Android look haphazard and HTC has done a good job of avoiding that and keeping the UI consistent. Other features like the arrow keys I've found to be invaluable and miss them greatly when they're not present front and center. Even Swype, after lots of trials and giving it plenty of time, did not really significantly improve things. I made less of one type of error, but just more of another type.
In the end, I'm back to stock, so I have to give HTC credit for delivering a nice looking and very well-refined keyboard. If I could just figure out how to EASILY dismiss the suggestion bar without adding a new word to the dictionary (just tapping where my cursor is doesn't really do it), I'd probably be completely satisfied.

Well coming from an Iphone I can definitely say the stock keyboard sucks. I've been using swype and have been very pleased so far. I believe the more you use it the better it gets at predicting your text. To me its much faster and less finger cramping to just swipe one finger across the screen.

stocks fine for me but i have been using the Swiftkey beta i have to say im pretty impressed !

I either Swype it or just go with the stock input. I don't find it to be as bad as some make it out to be.

where can i get swype newest release ??

Usually just switch between Stock and the Droid-X keyboard. Tried Swype and couldn't get the "feel" for it. Luckily it was free

Swype
I avoided Swype for awhile, thinking that I could never get accoustomed to typing with it. So I tried the MotoX multi-touch keyboard, stock android keyboard, and a few others, but kept returning to stock Sense. It was the easiest and most accurate standard keyboard.
After changing to Swype, the search is over. Not sure if I have the newest version, but I can attest that the (1.56.30.7625) works perfectly across a bunch of roms. This is really the only way to go on a mobile device.
I wish I could tell you were I got the .apk of this version (its not the *t100), but I cant find it for the life of me. Try searching Swype in the Apps & Themes forum.

I wouldn't use my gfs Evo until she put Swype on it. Now I'll help her root.

Froyo stock keyboard!

Is Swype, in general, still in the beta phase?

I'm using the white skin on smart keyboard pro. The Droid X Multitouch keyboard is by far the BEST that i've used thus far, but alas, it's not working on Froyo yet. Once that's ported to Froyo I'll be on top of that one.

i switch between stock and swype. dont like swiftkey

Swype is one of those technologies that in ten years we will look back and laugh at how stupid and primitive T9 prediction was in comparison. It is undeniably a "killer app" for smartphone input.
Using the input on my iPad feels like caveman trying to create fire in comparison to the sophistication of Swype on my Android phone.

Swype is the way to go...
I first tried Swype on my Touch Pro's with Energy rom and i could not help but be delighted with the typing experience. Swype on my Evo was a must. Since the size on the screen allows for a very accurate path, and the predictive capabilities are way above anything else that I tried.

Is Swype Available?
I've looked for Swype, and all I can find is a beta that is no longer available. Can someone point me in the right direction?

DrawnToScale said:
I've looked for Swype, and all I can find is a beta that is no longer available. Can someone point me in the right direction?
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Click to collapse
Head over to the EVO Apps board and download one of the many uploaded .apks.

I've tried Swype and the Droid X keyboard and I prefer the stock one. I think the Droid one has better responsiveness, but the HTC one has way better prediction and I like being able to longpress keys for numbers and symbols.
Sent from my EVO using xda App

How does swype work so well for you guys. I feel like it is so slow because you can only use one finger at a time. On the stock keyboard I can use both thumbs so its so much faster
Sent from my Evo using XDA App

I have been on the same boat as you. I used to have an iPhone and can honestly say that the iPhone KB is the best on screen KB to date.
I have tried every alternative: smart KB pro, Swype, Stock, Droid X keyboard, AOSP android KB, they all had problems.
Swype was really cool, but I prefer two hand typing, and coudn't use swype, but I can easily see how others like it.
Stock HTC: yes it looks nicer than the plain blakc one on android but HTC did a very poor job, The KB is wayyyyy to high, and all the keys are touching each other. Instead of wider keys that take up less screen height. Plus its not as responsive.
Stock AOSP: black and ugly
Droid X: Very nice, great feel, fast, and has an option to hide corrections.
I have found the BEST KB IMO
better keyboard plus "Ultra KB Hero theme" it is a hero skin that looks almost identical to the Stock KB, and is muchh faster than stock. Plus the auto correction is great and lets you add custom words. And no arrows on the bottom.

threeFiftyLi said:
How does swype work so well for you guys. I feel like it is so slow because you can only use one finger at a time. On the stock keyboard I can use both thumbs so its so much faster
Sent from my Evo using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it's just almost an ease of use. I don't mind using the stock, and sometimes I just go back for no reason. But swype just seems efficient ... in the beginning I wasn't really enjoying it, didn't think it was that big of a deal. But a couple days of use and it just started making sense. You get the occasional word that isn't anywhere near what you were trying to type, but I think that happens more often than not because you're getting your swype on and just moving so fast you overshoot or what have you.
But I still feel like I can pump out a fast enough message on the stock, which some people don't seem to feel the same way. Both work more than fine for me.

Keyboard option for Dinc2

I received my Dinc2 and it came preloaded with GB 2.3.3, the only keyboard available is the qwerty and it sucks hard!! Is it possible to install swype or any other keyboards for this phone? I tried the Better Keyboard but it doesn't even work and keep defaulting back to the lame Qwerty

I like Swiftkey x a lot. Shapewriter is awesome and I'm glad I saved that APK before it was deleted off the market.
I notice Swiftkey X has a lag in it some times when typing fast. It pauses for about two seconds then inputs all letters pressed in that pause very quickly to catch up. Not sure why it does that.

Smart keyboard pro
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

My personal favorite is the Gingerbread keyboard by Steven Lin on market. Good contrast and easy to work. 2¢ of course.

cool i'll give those a try, isn't Gingerbread keyboard by Steven Lin also came with most custom ROM for the Fascinate? it looks very familiar...i just tried it now and love it, feel like home. (that's what i used in Fascinate) LOL

Using swype beta on a dinc2 to type this! Goto web browser and search for swype beta. download the apk and be sure you have checked the box to allow non market apps to be installed.
SENT FROM MY DINC2

Check www.droid-life.com. Article on a site that has free apps. Just got SwiftKey x for free. Works like a charm... Almost 2 yrs with a droid... This is by far best I've used on any phones
Sent from my ADR6350 using XDA App

I actually like stock keyboard. I used swiftkey for a couple of days but i kept getting annoyed when the wrong letter or button was pressed. It seemed alot easier to tap one of the direction keys and mess up my typing. There was also the annoying predictions it tried to do which were kinda off and how I couldn't type without it trying to predict words instead of just letting me type the face out. Pretty fast keyboard though maybe I just had a bad experience.
And what's wrong with a qwerty keyboard? I think that's the best one.

Smart keyboard pro is the best I've used. Very configurable and easy to use - especially for someone like me with big fingers.

ben805 said:
I received my Dinc2 and it came preloaded with GB 2.3.3, the only keyboard available is the qwerty and it sucks hard!! Is it possible to install swype or any other keyboards for this phone? I tried the Better Keyboard but it doesn't even work and keep defaulting back to the lame Qwerty
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Click to collapse
I've tried the stock GB, Swiftkey X, and Swype. Each one has +/- but I keep coming back to Swype. It's fast and easy to type one handed. It picks up really well.

Smart Keyboard Pro. I've tried TouchPal, Swype, Swiftkey X, Flext9, but I love smart keyboard.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA Premium App

I use flex t9.....swiftkey is pretty good too.
Sent from my ADR6350

joshlane4 said:
I've tried the stock GB, Swiftkey X, and Swype. Each one has +/- but I keep coming back to Swype. It's fast and easy to type one handed. It picks up really well.
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I did the same thing. Swype is Number 1 for me. #2 would be SwiftkeyX.

Was running better keyboard for the longest time, but recently switched to SwiftKeyX and I doubt I'll ever go to anything else. Usually I hate dealing with predictions, however SwiftKey is by far the best at predictions in my opinion. Gave it a couple days to learn, and it rarely messes up now.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

wookie847 said:
Smart keyboard pro is the best I've used. Very configurable and easy to use - especially for someone like me with big fingers.
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I have to agree. I've tried several market keyboards, and always seem to come back to this one.

Smart Keyboard Pro for me. It just feels right and has what I need.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

flex T9 has by far the best voice to text period. their algorithm is near flawless. it also has the swype feature that seems to be as good as swype. i love the stock Sense keyboard for the directional arrows, very nice touch. i mainly bounce between T9 and stock. Did swype ever get a speaker button on their keyboard? that is why i quit using it. Also, is that not the longest Beta ever for software?!?! Its been in beta for at least 2 yrs.

The stock keyboard has a swype like feature that works pretty well. Just have to turn on trace in the settings.
Sent from my ADR6350 using XDA App

Funny that anyone who doesn't own an HTC wants our keyboard and all HTC owners want something different I personally like the HTC_ime_mod by Gimpsta. Themeable HTC keyboard
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

I hate the HTC keyboard with the arrows... Garbage lol
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

Keyboards

Just wanted to share some experiences with software keyboards, I've certainly tried a few and depending on the circumstance suggest the following:
If you're someone that likes using your thumbs to type, then Thumb Keyboard is an excellent one:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.beansoft.keyboardplus
If you're more of a one handed user (such as commuting and having to use a hand to hold on to something) then you can't beat Swype:
http://www.swype.com/
And if you're someone that holds the phone with one hand and does the clickety-clack with with the other, then I suggest Swiftkey X with it's great prediction engine is your best bet:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.touchtype.swiftkey.phone.trial
Finally, if you don't necessarily fall into a particular preference as listed there's FlexT9 that's a 4-in-1 piece of code (Speak, Trace, Write or Tap) so you can get your pick of the litter in one product:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nuance.flext9.input
** Swype is in a little bit of a funky state, you have to sign-up for their Beta program to get it (which means free). They were bought by Nuance and a recent update added the Dragon Dictation engine to the software. It'll be interesting to see if/how Nuance deals with having 2 keyboard products (Swype and FlexT9).

I like the Gingerbread Keyboard, specifically because it allows use different languages.
Unfortunately OEMs remove most languages from stock rom, so I'm forced use an app for that:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.moo.android.inputmethod.latin.free
I've tried Go Keyboard and ICS Keyboard, but they don't feel right, Go Keyboard is way to big on the screen and ICS doesn't have a nice GB's language switch by swiping sideways space bar.

swype
So, Does anyone actually use swype is it good or what? I find my accuracy is horrid on the GB keyboard.

I've gotten pretty good at Swyping, but I still can't do it on a bumpy car ride with any sort of reliability. I'm using a customized theme and I love it.
Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk

keenz said:
So, Does anyone actually use swype is it good or what? I find my accuracy is horrid on the GB keyboard.
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I love Swype! To make it usable for me since I rush when I swype I have to turn the prediction accuracy up (its an option in the swype options) but after that its awesome!

I've been a Swype user since Windows Mobile 6.0 on my Xperia X1, and I'm absolutely stuck now. I ONLY ever use my phone with one hand and Swype with my thumb in portrait mode (I always have auto-rotate disabled), but I can type almost as quickly as on a full keyboard on a laptop (albeit with a few extra errors =) ). It took some months (maybe a year =P) before I got really really comfortable with it, but now, no other keyboards will do for me! I'm completely conditioned. The Swyping shortcuts for everything from punctuation to all caps to cut/paste are indispensable. I'm nervous that it's in beta, because whenever they finally make a product and start selling it, no matter what they charge I WILL pay =)

I might just have to try it. I'm giving the lgkeyboard a chance.. its spaced a lot nicer but has its flaws for sure
Sent from my LG-P930

keenz said:
I might just have to try it. I'm giving the lgkeyboard a chance.. its spaced a lot nicer but has its flaws for sure
Sent from my LG-P930
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i quite like the LG's Keyboard actually, but like u said, it has some flaws. This is the keyboard I currently use:
Hacker's Keyboard

Wow beats gigngerbread keyborad hands down! Thanks.

Swift keyboard here for the last two years. I like the multilingual word completion and big keys.
Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk

Note 4 keyboard

Alright guys, anyone here use a different keyboard? I loved the keyboard I had with all the custom roms, it was a lot more user friendly with my fat fingers, is there a way to get that on the Note 4? I end up putting a period where I want to hit the space constantly. Any help or recommendations would be great!!

Omg I would never go back to the Samsung keyboard. I've been using SwiftKey which is now free, for years! I'd never change. Plus it has tons of themes etc

surprisingly i've been pretty happy with the stock keyboard this time around. maybe its because it's pretty quick and lag free, maybe because of the auto handwriting mode when i pull the pen out, maybe because of the number row, but it's pretty solid.
as for using another keyboard from a ROM, i would think most keyboards would work if you just get the apk and install.
my go to keyboard generally is the google keyboard, then swiftkey, then fleksy. all should be on the play store.

I'll have go look through some old roms and find out what was in them, this stock keyboard is getting old, I dislike the numbers at the top, the size of the spacebar, and I don't use the handwriting.

Been using SwiftKey for years on all my phones and tablet. I've tried many keyboards in that time but always return.
If you fancy something different, try minuum. It's a one line keyboard that takes a bit to get used to.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

Rockstad said:
I'll have go look through some old roms and find out what was in them, this stock keyboard is getting old, I dislike the numbers at the top, the size of the spacebar, and I don't use the handwriting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try swype. i think that's what your looking for. its theme-able.

It wasn't Swype. I went and got the google keyboard. Im pretty satisfied with this. It really is a releif being able to type without constantly hitting the wrong buttons

I'm another one using SwiftKey!

I've got to chime in and say I love SwiftKey too!

I started using SwiftKey bc of this thread and holy crap!!! It's amazing!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A

i switch between google keyboard and stock keyboard.. swiftkey for some reason just isn't that great. It feels slow and i make far more mistakes with swiftkey than with stock keyboard.