The Samsung SCH-i425, or better known as the Godiva, appeared in its first set of pictures this morning. The device, which some were expecting to be the next in the Stratosphere line since the model number matched up to previous Strato models, may not be all that similar after all. Notice anything missing from the phone? Yep, that would be a physical slideout keyboard.

Other than the missing keyboard, we should be looking at a HD (720p) display, NFC sensor inside the back cover, and an Android version of 4.1.2. It’ll likely be an ultra-affordable 4G LTE device for those not willing to pony up $200+ for the latest and greatest Android device.

No official word from Verizon on name or release date, but if it’s in the wild like this, it may not be far off. Plus, Big Red has yet to announce anything for Q1, so we should be hearing and seeing something very soon. 

Via:  Engadget

Cheers Scott!

Samsung Godiva “Stratosphere 3″ Outed in Pics, R.I.P. Keyboarded Phones is a post from: Droid Life

Swiftkey Flow beta is now available to everyone! The gesture or Swype-style version of Swiftkey’s keyboard, brings a few new tricks to the table that others have yet to fully or even think about implementing. First, it predicts on the fly, so that you can see for yourself what word you are attempting to type. But beyond that, Flow allows you to write out entire sentences without lifting your finger, simply by dropping down to the spacebar in between words. So far, it seems like a fantastic update, once you get used to it. 

Download:  Flow for Phones | Flow for Tablets

Click here to view the embedded video.

Download: Swiftkey Flow Beta for Android Phones and Tablets is a post from: Droid Life

As the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note 2 started to arrive in customers hands this week, many were quick to point out the fact that “Swiftkey Flow” was listed in the keyboard settings. As we wrote earlier, Flow is the newest keyboard from Swiftkey that will enter beta testing in the very near future. It’s very much like the new Android 4.2 keyboard, which has gesture typing that predicts in real-time. With the 4.2 keyboard, and the beta version of Swiftkey Flow, both change the predicted word as you swipe between letters. It’s very cool.

The version of Flow on the Note 2 is not even close to being the same. Sure, it allows you to swipe between words, just like Swype has done in the past. However, it does not predict in real-time, but instead offers suggestions after you have fully swiped a word. It works, but the new beta version is what you should all be excited about. We have two videos below to show you the difference. 

Version of Swiftkey Flow on the Galaxy Note 2:

Click here to view the embedded video.

New Beta version with real-time prediction (jump to 30 second mark):

Click here to view the embedded video.

Verizon’s Galaxy Note 2 Sort of has Swiftkey Flow, But Not the Cool New Beta Version is a post from: Droid Life

If you are looking to install the Android 4.2 keyboard onto any of your devices, this is now the easiest way to do it. Thanks to a 3rd party dev, the keyboard, and all of its swiping goodness, is now on Google Play for the easiest installing and applying possible.

Go grab it and try it out if you haven’t already. We love it.

Play Link

Cheers Darrick!

Android 4.2 Keyboard With Swipe Feature Released to Google Play Through 3rd Party is a post from: Droid Life

If you’ve been trying as hard as me to make your phone look and feel as close to Android 4.2 as possible, then you’ve come to the right spot. Thanks to the hard work of gnufabio, we have the latest files pulled from the 4.2 system dump of the Nexus 4, and have installable Clock and Keyboard applications. We posted an earlier build of the keyboard, but this one is much faster and looks like the one that Hugo showed off on Monday. 

As for the clock app, you can see that the homescreen widget has been re-done, again, and there’s a new look to the timer, stopwatch, which works great. To install, you will need to be rooted and have a custom recovery installed. If you meet those requirements, then go for it! No wipe required, just flash away.

Note: These should work on multiple devices, but I can only confirm that it works on the Galaxy Nexus. If you experiment, let us know how it goes down below.

Downloads:

• Android 4.2 Clock App
• Android 4.2 Keyboard 

Via: gnufabio

Cheers Tjhrulz!

Clock App and Newest Build of Android 4.2 Keyboard Made Available for Flashing is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hey, look! It’s the Android 4.2 keyboard pulled from a Nexus 4 dump! It’s probably an early build, hence the ugly white and blue floating word prediction, which is unlike the subtle floating word prediction that Hugo Barra showed off yesterday. No matter what though, it’s neat to use and it works well. It predicts on the fly, corrects as needed, and flows like butter. 

Download:  LatinImeGoogle_signed.apk

Instructions

For Non-stock Android devices:

1.  If you have a non-stock Android device, like a Galaxy S3 or RAZR HD, just install it.
2.  Download the app from above, and install it like you would any other 3rd party app.
3.  Then head into Keyboard settings and activate the keyboard.
4.  Then open a text box and change to this new keyboard.

For Stock Android devices:

1.  You will have to flash a .zip file to overwrite your current stock keyboard.
2.  You can download it here.
3.  Yes, you need to be rooted.
4.  Yes, you should backup your old keyboard, just in case.
5.  If you are running a ROM, feel free to try and install it.

Via:  Android Police

Download: Android 4.2 Keyboard With Gesture Typing (Probably an Early Build) is a post from: Droid Life

Swiftkey, one of the most popular Android keyboards, announced a new keyboard experience today, called Flow. As the name implies, Flow allows you to glide between keys so that you can type words without lifting up a finger. Before you jump in with the “This is like Swype!” comments, I recommend that you watch the video. Swiftkey’s version of swiping between keys comes off as being much more predictive than other options. During the video, Flow shows that it can predict words after you have swiped only a couple of letters. According to Swiftkey, it also stays top notch at normal typing for those rapid tappers out there.

There is going to be a beta release of Flow soon, so be sure to stop by Swiftkey’s site to sign up. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Swiftkey Introduces Swiftkey Flow, a Gliding and Predicting Typing Experience is a post from: Droid Life

Swype, who seemed to have been losing its edge in the keyboard game to Swiftkey around these parts, announced a major overhaul today that as you may expect, brings it inline with some of its strongest competitors. In this latest version, Swype predicts better and also learns from your emails, texts, and posts. It even includes a new 4-in-1 keyboard of sorts, meaning you can Swype words, rapidly type them key-for-key thanks to predictive text, speak using their Dragon button, or go as far as writing actual letters out with your fingertip.

It should be available at beta.swype.com for those itching to test it out, however, their site is completely overloaded. We’ll update this post as soon as it comes back.

Update:  The site appears to be back up, go download it!

Update 2:  Added video of the new Swype in action below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Nuance Launches Next Generation Swype

Swype’s New Living, Learning Keyboard Gets Smarter Every Time You Use It

Burlington, Mass. – June 20, 2012 – Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced the next-generation Swype keyboard, a four-in-one keyboard that is a revolutionary step forward in the way people communicate and input text on their mobile devices. Swype now combines touch and voice input with unique adaptive capabilities to understand users’ preferences over time – becoming smarter and more personalized every time they swype, speak, tap and write.

Staying connected has never been more exciting as Swype provides consumers with more choice in how they input text, and now interprets a user’s personal language style – ultimately providing an amazingly fast, flexible, and accurate experience. New features include:

• Next Word Prediction: Swype’s next word prediction is amazingly intelligent as Nuance has integrated capabilities from its renowned XT9 portfolio. Swype gets smarter based on historical usage, so prediction becomes more accurate with each use.
• Voice-Text Dictionary Syncing: Swype now includes a personal dictionary. Every new word a user enters on the keyboard gets added to their personal dictionary for speech and text, and you can even have Swype learn from emails, texts and posts. These updates are then mapped into Swype’s unified language model, so people can immediately speak or write that same word no matter how unique or specialized.
• Language Downloads: Swypers everywhere can communicate in any language they speak, as Swype now supports the download of over 55 languages right from the device.
• Four-in-One Keyboard: Swype now delivers a four input modalities in one keyboard. People can swype from letter to letter; type rapidly with predictive text input powered by XT9; speak their text naturally through a fully integrated Dragon button; or, simply write letters, words and symbols using their fingertip. Further, users can switch back and forth between modalities on the fly – providing the ultimate in keyboard personalization.

“People use their keyboards every day in every way – so input needs to be fast and simple,” said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “The new Swype living, learning keyboard ushers in a new era of input, where the keyboard adapts to the users’ unique way of communicating every time they swype, speak, tap or write.”

Availability

The next-generation of Swype is available for OEMs supporting the Android Platform as well as via an SDK for other operating systems. Can’t wait for a device? Go to beta.swype.com to download the Swype Beta for Android today.

About Nuance Communications, Inc

Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visitwww.nuance.com.

Swype Announces New Version, a 4-in-1 Keyboard Filled With Magic is a post from: Droid Life

Tactus Technology understands that the physical keyboard is essentially dead because people want to have more screen real estate for gaming and other highly interactive apps. But what if they could produce an on-demand physical keyboard that popped up through your touch screen? Think about the difference this could make in gaming controls or texting for those that miss their old physical keyboard. Seem impossible? In the video below, Tactus shows off their vision and expects to have the technology for it ready to ship by the middle of 2013.

Via:  Cnet

Cheers Andrew!

Tactus Touch Screens Want to Give Your Screen an On-demand Physical Keyboard is a post from: Droid Life

Phones with physical keyboards – they are almost like dinosaurs or extinct birds these days. Fewer and fewer models are released now-a-days as anything but all-touchscreen. Sure we saw the DROID 4 hit stores at the beginning of this year along with a MyTouch or two on the side, but it’s clear that we may not see another for a long time. HTC yesterday confirmed that their future will likely not include anything with a physical/QWERTY keyboard going forward, so it got us wondering – do you care?

We know that many of you were holding out for the D4 as physical keyboards are a must-have, but what about the rest of you? If physical keyboards die off completely, will you miss them? Will you ever find yourself craving one again?

Friday Poll: Would Consider a Phone With a QWERTY or Physical Keyboard Again? is a post from: Droid Life

Within the last couple of weeks, Siine Keyboard has popped up enough times from readers (or PR people acting as readers), that we felt inclined to at least discuss it. You see, we were turned onto this keyboard replacement what seems like months ago, but found it chintzy enough at that time that we simply brushed it aside. I don’t know if the Siine team has improved the app immensely over the last couple of weeks or if readers are just randomly stumbling onto it after finding themselves bored with Swype and Swiftkey, but people can’t seem to quit talking about it. 

What is Siine Keyboard?

It can function like any other keyboard, but it stands out because you can customize it to say all sorts of every day phrases or  greetings or slang words with the touch of a couple of buttons. You can even download special sets of words so that you sound Australian or like Sherlock Holmes or with a hip hop flare. And from what we know, everything can be tweaked to your liking. That brief description certainly does not do it justice. I’d recommend that you watch the video below to get a clearer picture of it all.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Play Link.

So tell me, are you or have you used Siine keyboard? Still using it? Should I switch to it? Sell me on it.

Have You Given Siine Keyboard a Chance? is a post from: Droid Life

When the Ice Cream Sandwich SDK first dropped and developers started building ROMs from it, a couple of the releases included a keyboard theme switcher. You could easily toggle between the old Gingerbread keyboard, the new ICS one, a “Stone” colored ‘board, and even a basic grey version. Once Android 4.0 was released on phones though, the theme chooser disappeared, sort of. It’s still embedded in Android, but you have to find it by using an app such as AnyCut that allows you to search your phone’s available activities. 

To switch keyboards themes:

1.  Download and install AnyCut.
2.  Open AnyCut and create a “New shortcut.”
3.  Choose “Activity”  and then find and select “Android keyboard Debug settings.”
4.  Name the shortcut whatever you like and then find it placed on your home screen.
5.  Open the shortcut, tap “Keyboard theme” and then pick a theme.
6.  Open a text box and enjoy!

*H/T to AnandTech for the “hidden” menu reminder.

Tip: Change Keyboard Themes in Ice Cream Sandwich Without Root is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

Landscape typers, how has your life been with Ice Cream Sandwich? One of our readers sent over a tip last night suggesting that there is a massive lag issue if you type more than a sentence or two with your phone cocked sideways. After testing (as you will see in the video above), we would tend to agree that there is most definitely some sort of issue going on. Through the first 30 seconds or so, all is well other than my poor typing skills. But then around the 32 second mark, you get to see the lag in all of its glory. I think at one point, you can even catch a lonely “G” hanging on the screen for 3-4 seconds even though I had typed out a full 2 words.

What can you do to fix it? Well, we can sit back and wait for Google to. You could also switch keyboards to one of your favorites, like Swiftkey or Swype. In the comments, we also had someone suggest that ROM developers are fixing this already. So you have options – it’s not the end of the world.

Update:  Thanks to read T4rd, we have a fix. Well, it seemed to fix the issue immediately on my phone that is.

Head into Settings>Language & input> and uncheck the box for “Spelling correction.”

This seems to have taken care of the problem. And don’t worry about this turning off auto-correction, there are separate auto-correction settings in the actual keyboard settings that remain active. This could turn off Android’s ability to spell check and underline words in red though. So in order to reduce lag, you would be disabling a feature.

Experiencing similar issues?

Cheers AMyrick!

Noticing Lag in the Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard in Landscape Mode? (Updated: With Fix) is a post from: Droid Life

Everyone remember Blind Type? This was the keyboard that never actually became available on Android, but was teased a couple of times as one that could let you type “blindly” and still create perfect sentences. It would predict the words you were attempting to type based upon the vicinity of the letters you had hit. The video of it in action was all the rage, but when Google bought them before they offered anything to the public, most of us continued to hope that some day we would see the technology built into a version of Android. That time is now with Ice Cream Sandwich.

As you can see in the demo I put together below, the keyboard works better than expected at predicting words that I was spamming off in all directions. You will notice that while each word is being typed, it gives you options that can be selected as well (similar to Swiftkey). And just in case it didn’t pick up the exact word or offer me a proper solution, it also does a phenomenal job at offering up replacement words that you may have meant through a pull down menu. I tried to type the message below as fast as I could to see how it would perform – I’d say it handled my jumbled jargon quite nicely.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

Remember Blind Type? It’s the New Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard is a post from: Droid Life

Need to have every bit of Ice Cream Sandwich you can?  Then you might want to think about installing the keyboard taken straight from AOSP and then uploaded to the Market.  Just last week the ICS source was released, so we are sure to see a lot more goodies like this coming up.  To install, just download from the Market. There is no root required.  The app itself is a beta, so if you run into issues try to stay calm.  Enjoy!

Market Link

Cheers Mike and Gabe!

Download: Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard For Your Android 2.2+ Device is a post from: Droid Life