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Swype sucks.

Depends on how long it took to write it. And if your main criteria is that you be able to fire off quick messages (as opposed to long document editing) then maybe that proved that Swype is working just fine for him. :)
 
I started using Shapewriter, but I found it very hard to use and wasn't accurate enough for me. I've been using Swype for a couple weeks now and I'm very happy with its performance, although I might give Shapewriter another chance based on some of the opinions on here.
 
Honestly, it took me about 4 days before i got anywhere near the hang of it. 7-8 months later and its second nature. I can't even look at a touch keyboard anymore without a hint of annoyance!

Now if only I could get a swipe keyboard for my PC :p
 
I can only use Swype (apparently if you run 1.5 you can't possibly want shapewriter ;)) I'd like to try out shapewriter if I could but that'll have to wait until I can get the upgrade (or buy a new phone in two years).

I've been happy with it so far and it seems to be much better than trying to type out everything. I have issues typing on the touchscreen with typing adjacent letters instead of the one I want at the edges of the keyboard.

Having said that I do have some issues with the spelling sometimes. Apparently for some reason when I try to capitalize "I" it likes to type out "jimi" or something equally inane. It also slows down occasionally (possibly just my phone or even just the keyboard) and then won't type properly.

On a totally unrelated note: Lekky I <3 your avatar! I looked at my cat in the face the other day and immediately thought "omg its Toothless!" I think that just maybe I've totally gone insane!
 
Swype (and the other similar technology keyboards) are what finally convinced me to step away from my BlackBerry and adopt a droid device. My biggest issue with large hands/fingers is constantly having to correct typing mistakes on a touchscreen where incorrect touches can result in really miserable results. The Storm's surepress/truepress enabled me to type accurately and lightning quick. With Swype, I no longer need the clickable screen of the Storm to ensure I'm actually entering the text I intend to submit.

After the tutorial I picked it up quickly. Granted there were initally a few hiccups, but after a week my dictionary has pretty much recognized all my shorthand, contractions, and slang, in memory.

If there's any ONE thing I had to learn to overcome, it was the impulse to use the space-bar. Once I got past that, I don't think I've ever been able to input text as fast as I do now. It's uncanny how fast I enter text now.
 
hood420 said:
I started using Shapewriter, but I found it very hard to use and wasn't accurate enough for me. I've been using Swype for a couple weeks now and I'm very happy with its performance, although I might give Shapewriter another chance based on some of the opinions on here.
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When did you try it? Opinion seems to be that ShapeWriter has really stepped up its game in the more recent updates. Or Swype is just better for ya. Either could be the case. :)

Also good point about the spacebar, above poster. That's somethingi totally hadn't considered.

One last thing: does anyone know if either of these apps learn what words you use the most frequently? Because I swear it's gotten more accurate over time.
 
Explodatron said:
The two app developers should just join forces and merge all their ideas lol.
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Don't forget the third app, SlideIt. There were a couple of things I really liked about SlideIt over ShapeWriter (but not enough to pay the purchase price): SlideIt has a normal Shift key instead of the post-facto "change case" key on ShapeWriter. Also, SlideIt makes lots more symbols available for typing than ShapeWriter. If I could get those two SlideIt features with everything else ShapeWriter, I'd be a very happy camper.
 
I have has swype for about 2 weeks now and while it does have a learning curve it is far better than the standard keyboard and allows me to use my left hand to text while trying to pacify my son with the right. That in it self is a savor LoL.
 
Hey I had a question about Swype. I was really interested in this, just because I was reading about how some people said they could type faster than they could even talk with Swype, but I searched 'swype' in the market and it didn't come up. What happened to it?
 
MisterMixelpix said:
Funny thing about these tools is that they actually eliminate typos and such. Since it's all prediction, either it's the right word or it isn't. Maybe we'll finally see the end of text message slang!

... or maybe not.
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It would be nice. But it seems like people are just adding the slang to their user dictionaries. I miss English.
 
what I want swype to do is improve the tap to type capabilities. That way nobody would have an excuse to not use it. You could tap type like you normally would or try swyping if you felt like it. All from the same keyboard. I want to see a marriage of swype and the stock android keyboard.
 
I love Swype. May try ShapeWriter again to compare to two but I have a feeling I'll like Swype better. When I used ShapeWriter I just didn't like how it felt in terms of swiping. Also, the latest beta > the non beta tester beta that's floating around by FAR.
 
Having come over from a 'dumb phone' I was so used to texting with t9 that i was seriously bummed about losing this feature on a touchscreen phone. I tried swype and liked it but have been using shapewriter almost exclusively and like it a whole lot more. Reading reviews on shapewriter made it seem it wasn't all that great but i think they have really made some changes to the program and it works great now.

I barely miss t9 now except that I still wait to see if the word i typed is correct before moving on to the next one (does this habit go away on it's own or do i need to force myself not to do it anymore;) Plus, I could do t9 without looking at the phone and can't do that yet with shapewriter although it seems some folks can based on what I am reading.

Bottom line - love both programs for what they offer coming over from t9. Just try both (you have to hunt for sites still offering swype) but shapewriter is on the market and try them both out to see which one is for you.
 
(G) said:
The other thing is, if you know the keyboard well (from typing) you'll instinctively know which direction to head towards. If you're a hunt-and-pecker (no offense :-) ) it'll be much harder to get the hang of it.
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I agree, that may be the key. Also, not sure if these struggling people realize how forgiving SWYPE is in regard to accuracy. You can just go close to letters and often works.

I am going to get an Dinc because I no longer need a keyboard.

Love swype.
 
swype and slideit are the best keyboards out......you cant say it sucks just because you dont know how to use it....practice, its actually very easy
 
MJM128 said:
Swype isn't a keyboard for people that don't know...well...their keyboard. If the location of the keys aren't second nature for you, then swype probably isn't for you.
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I must disagree with your statement about knowing the keyboard.

If you know the keyboard really well (i.e., touch-typist), then Swype is going to be difficult:


  • Left and right hands type different letters. Using one finger is more difficult. Just try this yourself on a regular computer keyboard.
  • Fingers truly DO obscure the on-screen keyboard to the point of not knowing where your finger is at any given moment. In fact, my whole hand covers the screen. The only way to avoid this is to hold the phone in a rather unnatural and awkward fashion.
  • If you learn the keyboard with Swype, maybe you have a fighting chance.
My recommendation is to use voice recognition software.

just my 2 cents...


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