Swype beta features a new look, learning keyboard, next word prediction, and more

[Master Devwi]

Swype, the popular keyboard replacement app on Android, has released a public beta of the next version. This beta brings a fresh new look to the app and promises to turn Swype into a four-in-one keyboard, thanks to the ability to swap on the fly between the app’s trademark Swype feature, predictive text input using XT9, voice dictation using Dragon, and handwriting.

The app now includes Nuance XT9 technology, allowing it to predict which word you’ll use next. It gets smarter with use, but it will learn even faster by scanning your emails, texts, and posts. Additionally, Swype will now sync your voice and text dictionaries, as well as allow you to edit the default dictionary. Swype also now includes support for more than 55 languages.

Nuance has engineered the Swype beta to work side-by-side with preinstalled version of Swype, so you don’t have to worry about losing your current installation. Do you like using Swype, or do you prefer the default keyboard or another third-party solution?

[Swype via Engadget]

[CrowdAds]

[Marvin the Martian]

I don't like Swype at all. I prefer SwiftKey 3. I used the trial version for a week and I was sold enough to buy the full version.

[dfkt]

I use Swype and like it. I do prefer SlideIT by a bit, but since Swype is free and SlideIT costs money, and the differences are marginal for my needs, I stick with the free solution.

On the other hand, I don't think I need any of the bloatware/spyware in the new Swype beta. If it gets any slower or hogs more memory, I will probably switch to SlideIT for good.

[JxK]

Originally Posted by dfkt

I use Swype and like it. I do prefer SlideIT by a bit, but since Swype is free and SlideIT costs money, and the differences are marginal for my needs, I stick with the free solution.

On the other hand, I don't think I need any of the bloatware/spyware in the new Swype beta. If it gets any slower or hogs more memory, I will probably switch to SlideIT for good.

Try swiftkey. It's an awesome keyboard and gets better with use. If you don't have an ICS device, there's also ice cream sandwich keyboard which works great as well.

[dfkt]

I tried Swiftkey, half a year ago, or so. It was noticeably slower and more laggy for me than Swype and SlideIT. Maybe newer versions are better.

[saratoga]

Weirdly, I ran into the Swype development team at a bar last night. They gave me a shirt and we talked about android development and their new release.

(i like swiftkey a little more though)

[Marvin the Martian]

The Swiftkey text prediction does seem to improve the more you use it....and you can teach it to recognize words it doesn't know, like slang words.

[Cruleworld]

I use and prefer swype. tried swift key but I prefer the one finger typing of swype.

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by Cruleworld

I use and prefer swype. tried swift key but I prefer the one finger typing of swype.

He's ALIVE!!!