After spending quite a while as a beta program, the Swype virtual keyboard is now available in the Google Play store, according to PCMag.com.
Currently, the app is only 99 cents. But this is a limited-time offer and the price will rise.
Swype’s technology focuses on alleviating the experience of typing on a touch screen smartphone. The innovative app allows you to slide your fingers from letter to letter, never lifting you finger, as you type a word. The app then predicts what the person is trying to type.
For example, if typing the word “the”, you drag your finger from the “t” to the “h” to the “e” and the technology ignores the fact that your finger might slide over letters such as “g,” f,” or “r.” The word “the” then appears in your message.
Many phone users may be familiar with Swype, since a beta version came preloaded on many smart phones. However, the beta was limited and was its own app.
Executive vice president and general manager of Nuance Mobile Mike Thompson, Nuance in the parent company of Swype, said the reception of the beta gave the company the confidence to move forward.
"Based on the incredible success of our beta program and our vocal customers, we decided to extend the power of Swype to more Android users through Google Play," he said in a statement. “Android users deserve the best keyboard — settling for an alternative is no longer necessary."
According to Nuance, over 500 million people are using Swype worldwide.
According to research Nuance has done over the past year, Swype attracts four different type of keyboard users:
Swype’r – Individuals who swiftly swipe from letter to letter
Typer – Individuals who quickly press letter and don’t look at the word until their finished spelling the word
Tapper—Individuals who are careful when they type, making sure every letter appears on the screen as they type
Dictator – Individuals who like to speak their messages into the phone and will be able do so with the app’s Dragon dictation function.
The app also comes pre-programmed to adjust to 20 different dialects. The “Smart Touch” feature also allows the app to adapt to your typing patters. For example, if you use the letter “L” more than the letter “K”, then the app will adjust. The app also comes with 13 themes which include Holo and Artic designs.
