This morning we awoke to the pleasant surprise of seeing the Swype keyboard gracing Google Play. For those who have been around here for a while, you will know Swype as the original swipe-based keyboard that allows you to drag your finger from key to key, to create words and turn anyone into a speed texting machine. 

While it seems every keyboard company has now implemented a swiping feature, I will hold fast in believing Swype should be known as the “OG” in this department.

There is a paid version of the keyboard available for a limited time at just $0.99, while a free version is available for a trial period. The keyboard seems to perform quite well, not showing any lag or performance hiccups. And in terms of looks, it gives off a stock Android feel with some orange flare, which you won’t see my complaining about.

Check it out for old time’s sake.

Play Link:  Free| Pro ($0.99)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Swype Leaves Beta After All These Years, Lands on Google Play for $0.99 is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, there is a new beta version available for Swype users. In this version, there have been a number of improvements to the Smart Editor, improved keyboard launch times, and fixes related to S-Note users. 

As a note, current beta users should receive the update via OTA over the next 3 days. Here’s the full changelog.

Swype Beta v1.4.5.12537:

• Implemented a number of Smart Editor improvements and resolved some compatibility issues
• Improved keyboard launch responsiveness in web browsers
• Advanced Language Models improved for English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Korean
• Improved logic surrounding Language Downloads
• S-Note: Resolved some instances where text would be duplicated
• Plus many more bug fixes and overall enhancements!

Known issues:

• S-Note: Edit gestures and edit buttons may not work correctly in this app with certain tablets
• French: Delete key is inconsistent for words that begin with contractions
• Polaris Office: Sometimes after swyping, the word choice list displays incorrectly.

To get this latest version of Swype, head over to http://beta.swype.com.

Via: Swype

Swype Beta Receives Minor Update to v1.4.5.12537, More Smart Editor Improvements is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, Nuance announced a new feature for its Swype Beta keyboard on Android called Living Language. If users choose to opt-in, this new technology, Swype’s dictionary will learn in real-time, by enabling crowd-sourced up-to-date words and phrases to appear as options while typing. You’ll begin to see trending words and phrases that other Swypers have been using regularly.

Along with Living Language, Swype also includes a feature called Smart Editor, which analyzes entire sentences, flagging potential errors that you may not have noticed.

To get this latest version of Swype, head over to http://beta.swype.com. 

Nuance Innovates Crowd Sourcing for the Keyboard; Swype Living Language Learns from Users around the Globe

2013 International CES

Swype Beta Now Updates in Real-time With Living Language Crowd-sourcing Tech is a post from: Droid Life

We’ve been following development of the third party keyboard, Swype for quite some time. In fact, it’s been years. While we still await publishing to Google Play, they continue to push updates to the keyboard and this newest version has a few features that we thought were share worthy.

Firstly, there is now the addition of “trending words.” For example, PSY’s Gangnam Style has become a cultural phenomenon, so the word “Gangnam” shall now be recognized and added for easy entry. Gee, awesome. Secondly, and more importantly, tablet users can now switch between a plain layout keyboard and a split keyboard for the wider displays. That way, swiping with your fingers over greater distance is now uber easy.

Grab the newest version here.

Via: The Verge

P.S. Come on, put it on Google Play already!

Swype Beta Receives Update, Tell Me Again Why It Isn’t In Google Play Yet? 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

Swype has officially launched support for Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus. We have been waiting for quite a while as they worked the kinks out of what was reported to be a resolution issue, even though we have been seeing hacked versions for quite some time. To download the app, just head on over to the Swype Beta site and sign up, then just download the installer and take it from there.

Via: Swype Beta

Cheers Josh!

Swype Updated – Ice Cream Sandwich Support Finally Arrives is a post from: Droid Life

Well, the Swype team promised us ICS action at the end of January, but mid-February will have to do. According to their Twitter account, we are just “days away” from an update that brings with it Android 4.0 support and a number of other “goodies.”

Most of you have been enjoying Swype in a variety of colors on your Galaxy Nexus for weeks already, however, it appears as if many if not all of those files have been removed from the internet altogether. As much as we love Swype, they continue to be sticklers on the modification front. They do have IP to protect, but if they would just give us the ability to theme in a new update, the Swype Black Market would come to a screeching halt.

Ready for official ICS-supported Swype?

Via:  Twitter

Swype with Ice Cream Sandwich Support and Other “Goodies” is Only Days Away is a post from: Droid Life

Golf clap for the Swype team? By the end of January, they should release their latest beta with “official” support for Ice Cream Sandwich. As you all know though, the developer community had this up and running back on December 22 and has already released a dozen or so themes for it as well. But hey, we all love official stuff. 

Via:  Twitter

Swype Finally Figures Out How to Support Ice Cream Sandwich, Update Coming “End-of-Month” is a post from: Droid Life

We here at DL love ourselves some Swype.  But you know what we love even more?  Themed Swype.  So, when we stumbled upon this treasure chest of different themes we just couldn’t resist sharing it.  For those who have troubles choosing which colors they want, don’t fret. There are enough choices to have a new color every day of the week.  But, there are a few different versions available so make sure you install the right ones.  Depending on which phone you have, will determine which version you need.  If you are a G-Nex owner, make sure to download the apk’s from the G-Nex section on the bottom.

Update: Well, the amount of traffic we sent over has crashed their site. Cheers, DL community! You can grab all the themes here for now. Thanks for the mirror!

We can’t host the apk’s ourselves, so head on over to JBThemes for the full list and download links.  No root required.

Via:  JBThemes

Cheers Green Orange!

Newest Swype Beta Released in a Variety of Colors, Multiple Phones Supported Including Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

The partnerships that Swype has formed with a variety of phone manufacturers has likely done wonders for the growth of their company. Swype is essentially a household name in the Android game, and a lot of that has to do with it coming pre-loaded on all sorts of phones. But one of the frustrating things as a consumer, is watching their beta product continue to receive updates and improvements on a regular basis while the pre-loaded versions on some phones go without them.

The DROID RAZR is a good example. While it may have a spicy black version that no other phone has, it may never see the new Dragon Dictation and advanced language modeling that were introduced this week with the beta. There could be an OS update to the RAZR from Motorola that will include these features, but that could be months out. And since the keyboard is installed as a System app, you cannot remove it or replace it with the beta. So you are stuck with the custom OEM version of Swype while the rest of the Android crew gets to test out new features in the beta. Frustrating, right?

Well, thanks to a member over at XDA, you can get the beta up and running on your phone after following a few simple, yet specific instructions. We do recommend that you only attempt this if you understand the risks involved and are OK with them. And by that, I mean that you could soft brick your phone without many (or any) options to get you back up and running. 

Instructions:

*Proceed with caution. If you remove the wrong file, you could potentially soft brick your phone. And I’m not sure there are any files out there to bring you back from the dead for the RAZR.

*You will need to be rooted.

1. Using Root Explorer – Change your default input method to anything other than Swype.
2. Mount file system as R/W
3. Delete (or move/rename) \system\app\swype.apk
4. Delete (or move/rename) \data\dalvik-cache\system@app@Swype.apk@classes.dex
5. Delete (or move/rename) \system\lib\libSwypeCore.so
6. Reboot
7. Download and Run the latest Swype Beta installer

*Note – If you run into force closes after installing the beta, try removing Swype and the Swype Installer under Manage Apps, reboot and install the beta again.

Via:  XDA

Cheers Mike!

Own a DROID RAZR But Want to Use Swype Beta Instead of the Pre-loaded Version? Try These Instructions is a post from: Droid Life

Been waiting and hoping that Swype would finally deliver the goods for all of us Galaxy Nexus owners?  Wait no more.  The folks at Swype initially reported that due to a change in the way screen resolution is reported in Ice Cream Sandwich, that a version of its popular software may not be available anytime soon for 4.0+ devices.  Well, what I guess they chose not to realize is that there are many people out there who spend their time tinkering with these apps in the hopes that they can get them working as we see fit. 

A modder named theb1rdm4n over at XDA has reconstructed the newest Swype apk to work beautifully on the G-Nex’s huge display.  Sure, the BlindType-esque keyboard is nice, but to some people there is no replacement for Swype.  While we wait for Swype to officially fix the issues they discovered after already launching their newest version, we can relax knowing the hardworking underground developers are here to make sure our devices work as we intended.  Download and install as you would any 3rd party app.  Enjoy.

Update: The developer of this mod came forward in our comments section.  His name is theb1rdm4n over at XDA and we would like to thank him for the contribution to the community.  Keep it up.

Download: Swype-3.2.6.apk

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Droid Fans, XDA

Cheers, developers!

Swype Now Working On Galaxy Nexus, Thanks To Modders is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

With Swype’s recent addition of Dragon Dictation, talking to your phone is now less frustrating with no more misheard words.  Thanks to the acquisition of Swype by Nuance, Swype has been able to implement Nuance’s bread and butter right into their own software.  Dragon Dictation is known as a speech to text software that allows for text input up to five times faster than regular pecking. But that’s not all, folks.

According to Swype developers, Swype is also learning how we, as the consumers, speak. It takes actual context into account as we swipe from key to key, spelling out words.  It will then appropriately place the proper word to fit the sentence given the context.  And according to their studies, it will only get more intuitive the more you use it.

Swype now features an improved language modeling algorithm, designed to increase the accuracy of the suggestions we offer (such as knowing that you mean “mosh pit” instead of “mosh pot”). By analyzing the text you’ve already entered, Swype will offer more accurate predictions that make sense in the context of the sentence

• Up to a 40% increase in prediction accuracy when a language profile is present
• Learns over time as you use it, building up a personal language profile for you.
• Enabled only for English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. Other languages coming soon!

Does this all sound extremely tantalizing?  Want the newest Swype beta on your device?  Then head right here to get it now.

Update: According to Swype’s beta site, it looks like their app has come onto some bugs or something.  Word from Swype is that they are going to have a fix hopefully soon.  Keep checking back for further details.

Via: Swype

Swype Beta Updated, Adds Dragon Dictation and Advanced Language Modeling is a post from: Droid Life

If you love Swype, keep an eye on your device as Swype’s first OTA is soon to be rolling out. Included in the update is an upgraded Context Prediction engine for people who like fast, smart, and overall responsive keyboards. We were hoping that Swype would finally pick up a new color scheme, but that doesn’t seem to have happened yet. Come on Swype, I know you’re listening. Give users the ability to customize the look of the keyboard and I promise you will have many happy users.

With our first over-the-air update, we’ve enabled our Context Prediction Engine. By analyzing the text you’ve already entered, Swype will offer more accurate predictions that make sense in the context of the sentence

• 40% increase in prediction accuracy when a language profile is present
• Learns over time as you use it, building up a personal language profile for you.

As Swype starts getting “smarter”, is anyone thinking of switching back from SwiftKey X or FlexT9 to give this a go?

Via: Swype

Swype Receives First OTA Update, Includes Better Context Prediction Engine is a post from: Droid Life

Swype is back in the building with 3.26, their latest build. What’s new? A lot of stuff actually. The most important thing though, is the fact that we no longer need to use their ridiculous installer app. Well, to clarify, you need to install this newest build with the newest installer and then from that point forward, will no longer need it. Automatic updates is what I’m trying to say!

They also plan to introduce a new color scheme with an orange tracer and new black and orange word suggestions. There are rumors that it should be out soon as one of the first automatic updates.

Here are the rest of the major updates:

Automatic Updates have finally arrived! Once installed, this latest version of Swype will let you install updates on-the-fly via Swype Connect.

• When an update is ready, you’ll receive an Android Notification informing you that an upgrade is available
• Install the update right through the Swype Settings window
• Your user dictionary and settings will automatically be saved during the update!

Improved Language Control gives you access to only the languages you use. From Swype Settings you can select which languages will appear when switching languages directly from Swype. Never cycle through a language you don’t use again.

The Refined Key Layout brings a better overall user experience, more in line with what users expect. Numbers are now across the top row, and the symbols layer contains several new characters, and a button to switch between 2 pages of symbols.

Redesigned Settings & Help makes it easier than ever to control how Swype behaves, and learn how to become an advanced Swype user. Just long-press to go straight to the Swype Settings window!

Full details on these changes can be found here. Download from here.

*Note – Their servers may be struggling, so just keep checking back.

Swype Beta Updated to Version 3.26 – New Color Scheme Soon, Automatic Updates is a post from: Droid Life

Oh, exciting news for one of our favorite 3rd party keyboards. Rumors started spreading last night that Swype had been bought by communications giant, Nuance, the company that created the voice recognition technology that is currently baked into Siri, which is available on Apple’s newest i*hone 4S. Those rumors turned out to be true and the price tag was a very cool 102.5 million dollars. We reached out to Swype’s community manager Brian Resnik for a statement and he had this to say:

We’re excited to be acquired by Nuance. We’re looking forward to all of the opportunities this brings us in terms of offering Swype alongside Nuance’s existing technologies. For now Swype will continue to be offered as a distinct product in Nuance’s product line, and we will be pursuing all opportunities to improve our products together. This is very exciting for both companies.

We asked if we can expect Swype to continue to receive updates and he replied that business would go on as usual. Hopefully this means good things for Swype as they can now have additional capital for further development.

Swype Acquired By Nuance Communications For $100 Million is a post from: Droid Life