Honestly, if you're using the phone like this video (aka using your index finger), you're still using two hands: who puts down a cell phone to enter text?
I suppose they didn't use the thumb because it would occlude the screen more, but it'd be a much more "honest" test if they showed actual use (holding it in one hand and using a thumb, or two hands and using one index finger) rather than this setup. Also, the way they used it, it was using the wrist and arm more than the finger itself, which itself seems a bit more tiring and awkward.
@Geisrud: Compare how fast you type on QWERTY and DVORAK and tell us which is faster for you...
Doesn't mean it is the best unless you have had equal practice with both...
What we come down to, is how fast you can learn and make a good enough speed improvement to continue using it to become even better.
This looks like it is VERY easy to learn, if nothing at all.
T9 is good, T9 is great if you learn how to quickly switch words, deal with punctuations, switch to tap mode to insert (and add) new words/names... sadly most people don't do this because they are stupid shits and prove this by typing in "text" speak. Mix T9 and auto complete sweet... not the best on touch screens that have shitty feedback/feeling.
How would this work for people using the Columbus method of typing (ya know - Search and Land)? They'd end up with gibberish as they swirl their finger looking for where the damn "R" is
First off to all the people talking about how they beat the guy on the iPhone, yes he is slow, but it doesn't change anything.
In order for you type you have to lift your finger and press down your finger for each letter (even if you drag) which makes it slower. There is no getting around this.
For each letter on the iPhone's (any phone qwerty phone actually) standard interface you have to locate the letter, press, release, locate, press, release (even if you know where the keys are). With this method you press, locate, locate, locate, and so on.
Like T9 (no coincidence this guy also invented T9, also note Swype's patent is from 01-19-2003) if you are proficient at it, it can't be beat, but for most of us, we could care less.
Personally, I will be using it because waiting for the phone to flip to landscape is annoying. Odds are I will try it for a week, hate it, and go back to being annoyed.
@UnderLoK: just cuz you lift a finger doesn't mean its that big a deal. under your logic, cursive would be more commonly used by everyday people than regular print because its more efficient without "lifting."
@jinkuwata: This is meant for one hand though. I don't think it can compete in landscape (2 handed), but in portrait one handed I think it's definitely faster.
Still not to sure how it works. Will it recognize words that you haven't typed before? I want to assume that they did it a few times so the phone remembered the word, ie the word Swype was prepopulated with a cap. It looks cool, I'm guessing it would take a little bit getting used to before you could be fluid but thats how the qwerty was. I have to say though I def type faster than the guy in the video on the iphone.
@dimsum4u: i think it's safe to say Swype comes in the dictionary, just as typing "iphone" in the iphone automatically capitalizes the P: iPhone, despite it not being a "real word". otherwise, i'm sure it uses the standard dictionary like the iphone does when it corrects your errant taps. this is essentially the same interface except you don't pick your finger up between keys.
@stre: interesting. I'd def have to test it out the not picking up your finger btwn the keys seems a little awkward especially since we are all used to the normal picking up the finger, wonder if it would be easier if when you swype your finger over the letters the letter gets bigger so you know which one you are landing on. Oh well thanks for the clarification.
well i just did a test of my own. even not knowing the exact wording and having to look back once or twice i was able to hold my own and finish just a few seconds after him.
I tried this on my iPhone while he was doing it. With having to look up to see what they were typing, as well as correcting a couple errors here and there, I was only about a second behind him.
This is total bullshit. The reason the iPhone uses the keyboard input it uses is because it's the best method PERIOD.
Apple knows how to make stuff that works. What's more, they make stuff that works better than everything else. If you're looking for the best, just look for the Apple logo.
Want the best sound? You get an iPod.
Want the best HTPC? AppleTV.
Want the best cloud-computing? MobileMe.
Want the most reliable phone? iPhone.
Everyone whines about allegedly-missing features but the features that aren't in the iPhone aren't in there because they suck and no one with half a brain uses them.
If Swype was half-decent, Apple would have invented it long ago. The fact they didn't proves that it's a piece of crap.
People need to stop trying to improve on Apple because Apple is the best there is.
@TheSonOfKrypton: Yea when i saw this i grabbed my iphone and played the video again and raced them both. I had to stop 2 times because i forgot what they typed exactly and had to wait for the swype guy to catch up so i could continue. and i still won. This might be good for some people that cant get used to the iphone, but not for me,
@Justin Clark: I use the keyboard in portrait, too... You're right, your fingers do less moving, and if you've had some practice, you don't really make any mistakes, so it totally wins. That said, whenever I get decently intoxicated I have to go the landscape route or I'm useless ...
@TheSonOfKrypton: Likewise. I find it so much faster to type on the vertical screen layout for some reason. The keys feel too spread out on the landscape for me.
@Patrick O'Neill: lmao. Would you like a photograph of my hand to show you how large it is?
Yet still, I'm curious how you came to the conclusion that I have small hands. Keep in mind you could have also deduced that I have more nimble fingers, coordinated by 10^3 more motor units than you do.
11/27/09
11/27/09
Though it is a clever use of the already phallic looking android mascot.
11/28/09
@tande04: Thankfully, the Apple symbol has crossed over, too.
11/24/09
I suppose they didn't use the thumb because it would occlude the screen more, but it'd be a much more "honest" test if they showed actual use (holding it in one hand and using a thumb, or two hands and using one index finger) rather than this setup. Also, the way they used it, it was using the wrist and arm more than the finger itself, which itself seems a bit more tiring and awkward.
11/24/09
Compare how fast YOU type on Swype vs iPhone, then report back. Faster or not, that's the comparison that needs to be made.
11/24/09
Doesn't mean it is the best unless you have had equal practice with both...
What we come down to, is how fast you can learn and make a good enough speed improvement to continue using it to become even better.
This looks like it is VERY easy to learn, if nothing at all.
T9 is good, T9 is great if you learn how to quickly switch words, deal with punctuations, switch to tap mode to insert (and add) new words/names... sadly most people don't do this because they are stupid shits and prove this by typing in "text" speak. Mix T9 and auto complete sweet... not the best on touch screens that have shitty feedback/feeling.
11/24/09
11/24/09
In order for you type you have to lift your finger and press down your finger for each letter (even if you drag) which makes it slower. There is no getting around this.
For each letter on the iPhone's (any phone qwerty phone actually) standard interface you have to locate the letter, press, release, locate, press, release (even if you know where the keys are). With this method you press, locate, locate, locate, and so on.
Like T9 (no coincidence this guy also invented T9, also note Swype's patent is from 01-19-2003) if you are proficient at it, it can't be beat, but for most of us, we could care less.
Personally, I will be using it because waiting for the phone to flip to landscape is annoying. Odds are I will try it for a week, hate it, and go back to being annoyed.
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/25/09
@Phil Phan: Cursive IS faster...
11/24/09
#tips #Android #GoogleMaps #GPS
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
Or at least through rooted phones.
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
LAAAAME.
11/24/09
11/24/09
Apple knows how to make stuff that works. What's more, they make stuff that works better than everything else. If you're looking for the best, just look for the Apple logo.
Want the best sound? You get an iPod.
Want the best HTPC? AppleTV.
Want the best cloud-computing? MobileMe.
Want the most reliable phone? iPhone.
Everyone whines about allegedly-missing features but the features that aren't in the iPhone aren't in there because they suck and no one with half a brain uses them.
If Swype was half-decent, Apple would have invented it long ago. The fact they didn't proves that it's a piece of crap.
People need to stop trying to improve on Apple because Apple is the best there is.
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
I agree. Not a fair fight. The guy on the iPhone was a noob. I'd keep up
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
#tips
11/25/09
11/25/09
Yet still, I'm curious how you came to the conclusion that I have small hands. Keep in mind you could have also deduced that I have more nimble fingers, coordinated by 10^3 more motor units than you do.
#tips
11/26/09
11/26/09
11/26/09