SwiftKey
Latest
SwiftKey's first iOS update helps you start typing faster
If you jumped at the chance to try the first wave of third-party iOS keyboards, you probably noticed that they're a little... rough around the edges. You may want to give at least one of them a second try, though. SwiftKey has just released the first update to its iOS input method, and it tackles some of the larger gripes that early adopters have noticed. The biggest deal is the improved load time, which should let you start typing faster; there are also fixes for some easy-to-reproduce crashes, like one that occurs when you backspace over emoji. Head over to the App Store if you're eager to iron out of some of SwiftKey's earliest wrinkles.
These iOS 8 keyboards will free you from typing tyranny
iOS 8 is finally live for public consumption, which means it's time for all those third-party keyboards to make their App Store debut. Yep, at long last, devotees of Apple's mobile platform can swap out that boring ol' default keyboard for something different -- a neat trick Android users have enjoyed for some time now. Still, it's better late than never, and already there are a slew of alternative keyboards for iOS 8 clamoring for your attention. Here's just a few we think are worth checking out.
SwiftKey's iOS 8 keyboard will come with swipe gestures and cloud access
Of the list of features that will be available in iOS 8, the ability to add third-party keyboards certainly stands out. And while Apple didn't mention any of these keyboards at length in yesterday's iPhone event, that doesn't mean these third parties aren't getting closer to having a working model. SwiftKey is one such keyboard; it was one of the most popular apps in the Play Store for months, and it's also one of our favorites to use on Android. Fortunately, the company's nearly ready for beta testing. There's no word yet on how long these tests will take, nor how many people will get to try it out initially, but the company at least provided us with some details on what the keyboard will be capable of.
Engadget Daily: an interview with Shuhei Yoshida, a social guide to the World Cup and more!
Today, we sit down with Shuhei Yoshida to discuss PlayStation Now, watch SwiftKey lose its price tag, go hands-on with Mario Maker and explore how to keep up with the World Cup on Facebook, Twitter and Google! Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
SwiftKey's Android keyboard is now available for free
Of the third-party keyboards available on the Google Play Store, SwiftKey is among the oldest and most well-known. And although it's getting its iOS8 app ready for the fall, it certainly isn't forgetting the platform that helped the $4 app get its big break. With today's update, SwiftKey's premium Android keyboard is now permanently free of charge. This is great news for fresh users, and the loyal folks who've previously purchased the app won't be left out of the update: Legacy customers will get a $5 theme ten-pack for free. Additionally, the refresh also comes with a SwiftKey store (with 30 themes available at launch), a number row and over 800 emoji. Many of the features in this update were offered as part of a beta, so it's refreshing to see them added into the final product.
SwiftKey, Swype and Fleksy are already making iOS 8 keyboards
When Apple revealed that iOS 8 would allow third-party keyboards, one big question came to many people's minds: would some of the better-known Android keyboards make the leap? In short, yes. SwiftKey says it has "already started" porting its heavily customizable software to iOS; Swype tells Engadget that it "can't wait" to support Apple's platform. Fleksy, meanwhile, is going so far as to take sign-ups for a beta program and vows to be "one of the first" with a solution. The odds aren't high that you'll get something like Google Keyboard on your iPhone (we've asked to be sure), but you won't be hurting for input methods when iOS 8 is ready this fall.
SwiftKey confirms iOS 8 version
SwiftKey has confirmed they are going to release an official iOS version on iOS 8, as reported by ZDnet. In a blog post today, Ben Medlock and Jon Reynolds (SwiftKey's co-founders) stated that since iOS 8 will officially support third-party keyboards, SwiftKey will be one of those choices. From the post: We first brought a taste of our technology to iOS in January this year with the launch of the free note-taking app SwiftKey Note. Are we going to build SwiftKey Keyboard for iOS 8? Of course we are. We've already started. Check out the rest of our WWDC 2014 coverage throughout the week!
Nokia announces the X and X+, its first Android phones
Nokia is officially launching its very first Android devices, known as the X and the X+, on stage at its annual Mobile World Congress press conference. We were all taken aback by the second (and third) device (since only one leaked), so it's incredible to see Nokia make such a huge foray into enemy territory. The X will have a 4-inch, 840 x 480 IPS screen, 512MB RAM, 4GB of storage expandable storage via microSD slot and 3-megapixel camera, while the X+ sports the same specs but more RAM (768 MB) and an included 4GB microSD card. You won't be getting Google's apps or Play store, however as both handsets will be based on the forked AOSP Android OS. Nokia says that'll have the advantages of the Android ecosystem, but with a "differentiated experience." So far, Here Maps, MixRadio, Skype and Outlook are being featured on the Nokia Store. You can access the Nokia and third party stores using the devices, but not Google Play, obviously. We've heard SwiftKey will be available on the Nokia X range (and for free, too), as will BBM, which is also coming to Windows Phone sometime "this summer." The new devices are featuring a ported version of FastLane for Asha devices as a sort of skin, to give a similar experience as its other budget handsets. When you swipe across it, it'll bring up a sort of notification bar showing recently used apps, missed calls and texts and other activities. During the demo, Elop showed both the Nokia Store and Yandex, where he pulled down Aero Express, a Russian-flavored app. The X will be available immediately in growth markets (ie, not the US) and run 89 euros. The X+, meanwhile, will run 99 euros but won't arrive until sometime in Q2 this year.
SwiftKey's new iOS note-taking app syncs with Evernote
Will Apple ever open up its mobile platform to allow the use of third-party keyboards? Y'know, customizable boards that have features like clever word-prediction algorithms and finger-swiping gestures? Despite CEO Tim Cook's suggestion last May that we might see iOS open up more in the future, we've seen no strong indication that alternative keyboards are even on the drawing board at present time. Fortunately, some developers are finding small workarounds to this dilemma: Even though they aren't allowed to change the keyboard on the platform level, it's possible to do so within third-party applications. Fleksy is a prime example of a company that's thinking outside the box, opening up a developer kit allowing third parties to incorporate the Fleksy keyboard into their own app. SwiftKey is also making the jump to iOS, but it's taking a different approach: The keyboard maker just announced SwiftKey Note, a note-taking app that's integrated with your Evernote account. This is great news for current Evernote users, and it may even be enough of an incentive for newbies to try it out. Using the new Note app, you'll be able to create notes that sync up with the account on your desktop or other mobile app. But what's more important is that you'll have the help of SwiftKey's trusty and faithful word-prediction engine combined with the look of the default iOS 7 keyboard. We've got a gallery, video and additional impressions after the break.
SwiftKey's predictive text input makes its way into your car stereo
It's no secret that we're pretty big fans of SwiftKey 'round these parts, but even we couldn't have predicted where it'd wind up next. Today, the keyboard app announced that its adaptive text-entry will be integrated with Clarion's forthcoming AX1 head unit. It might seem odd at first, but since Clarion's kit has native apps for email and web browsing, predictive text (compared to a standard keyboard) ought to make the device easier to use. As SwiftKey tells it, the company is taking everything it's learned from the mobile environment, and applying it to other areas where it makes sense. In other words, this likely isn't the last time we'll see the third-party keyboard somewhere other than a phone or tablet. The AX1 is expected to release sometime this quarter for $800, and if you're feeling antsy you can pre-order one right now.
SwiftKey update simplifies setup process, adds festive keyboard theme
SwiftKey's spreading a little Christmas cheer today, having updated its popular keyboard app for Android with a festive "Ice" theme. In addition to looking generally chilly, the theme frames letter pop-ups in snowflakes and generates snowy residue from Flow strokes. There is a little more to version 4.4, though; namely, a new installer that claims to simplify the setup process, which any current SwiftKey users may remember as being more complicated than perhaps it needed to be. The new version doesn't include the richer emoji suite or number row -- those features are still in beta -- but you do get a bunch of bug fixes as consolation. The update is live in the Play store and is awaiting Bezos' approval for Amazon's Appstore, although he might be preoccupied with all the pre-Christmas orders steadily making him rich(er).
Latest SwiftKey beta brings more than 500 emojis to Android, makes your texts even more precious
If you've been aching for more emoji on your Android device, the SwiftKey team has something right up your alley. The popular Android keyboard's latest beta brings more than 500 of the adorable symbols to your device of choice and can even autopredict emjois, just like it does for regular ol' words. What's more, the test-version also adds a dedicated number row in case you're one of the long-press averse. Of course, this is still a beta and your experience may vary once you side-load the APK. We tested the app on a Nexus 4 and found it was laggy to the point of being almost unusable, squashing our dreams of recreating Katy Perry's "Roar" video like a grape.
SwiftKey 4.3 update offers keyboard layouts you can resize, move and split
Nearly two months after SwiftKey opened up its Cloud to the public, the third-party Android keyboard is ready to push out another significant update. Taking advantage of the momentum it built with 4.2, version 4.3 offers a feature called Layouts for Living. Essentially, the new functionality lets you change the size, position and format of your keyboard. You can move it anywhere on the screen, shrink it down for one-handed use and even switch to a "thumb" mode which lets you split your 'board into two halves (this would be especially helpful for two-handed typing on tablets). SwiftKey tells us that the app is now available as a public beta, if you're interested in taking the new customizations for a spin. Hit the gallery below for a few screenshots of some of the different options.
SwiftKey Cloud exits beta, available as free update in version 4.2
After nearly a month of beta testing, SwiftKey Cloud is now ready for the masses. Now in final form, the popular Android keyboard can backup and sync customizations across devices, and it can even learn phrases that are trending across the globe. Thanks to one-click authorization, it's now easier for SwiftKey to learn phrases from your Facebook and Gmail accounts, and it can also now tap into Yahoo Mail. You'll also find more responsive Flow predictions in the final version, along with some Emoji fixes. SwiftKey Cloud arrives as part of SwiftKey 4.2, which is available as a free update to current users. The app is also available for a free 30-day trial, but for a limited time, you can also snag the paid version for $1.99 / £1.49, which rings in at half off the regular price. Certainly worth checking out if the stock Android keyboard is no longer cutting it.
SwiftKey Cloud syncs your keyboard profile, includes trending phrases (video)
Here's something we've all been wanting for some time. SwiftKey Cloud is launching today with a bunch of new functionality including -- you guessed it -- cloud backup and synchronization across multiple devices. By keeping your keyboard profile and settings online, you no longer have to re-teach Swiftkey your typing habits if you upgrade to a new tablet or lose your phone. Trending phrases is another new feature which analyzes relevant and localized phrases that are trending on social networks and other media and adds them daily to the keyboard's vocabulary. It supports US / UK English and eleven other languages at launch, with more coming in the future. Finally, SwiftKey Cloud makes its easier than before to personalize your keyboard by connecting it with your GMail, Facebook, Twitter and now Yahoo! mail accounts. We've been using the beta for about a day now and everything's working as advertised. Check out the gallery below, then hit the break for the promo video and PR. %Gallery-194389%
Switched On: BlackBerry's depressing keyboard trends
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. In a March interview, Google chairman Eric Schmidt, whose company's smartphone ambitions led to his vacating a board seat at Apple, claimed that he didn't use either an Android phone or iPhone. Rather, he uses a Blackberry, citing his affinity for its keyboard despite a number of Android models released over the years integrating physical thumb keyboards. RIM devices had keyboards even before they had email; the feature was part of the BlackBerry's predecessor, the RIM Inter@ctive Pager. Indeed, tactile feedback was so valued by the company that it tried to integrate it into the touchscreen with the BlackBerry Storm. In reviewing that phone for The New York Times, David Pogue noted, "A BlackBerry without a keyboard is like an iPod without a scroll wheel." Imagine such a thing.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 drafts in Swiftkey to power its keyboard
We'd heard rumors that Swiftkey might have assisted Blackberry on its well-received (and often prescient) BB10 keyboard, but the app maker has now confirmed that its software is behind the Galaxy S 4's native keyboard. It's the first time that the company's publicly admitted to powering a handset manufacturer's keys and will sidestep the need for S4 users to download its standalone app. Though, there's still plenty of reasons to download the app from Google play if you dig the customization options and themes of the original. Swiftkey's CTO Ben Medlock said that the keyboard is "at the heart of [Samsung's] flagship smartphone" and is hopefully just the first of many Android devices arriving with the company's voodoo already built in. We've added Ben's full statement after the break. Update: The company reached out to us to clarify that while its prediction engine is at the heart of Samsung's keyboard it is not Swiftkey in the purest sense. The natural comparison it reached for? Android and TouchWiz.
SwiftKey 4 launches with Flow, personal style detection (hands-on)
SwiftKey has been promising its own answer to Swype ever since it launched the SwiftKey Flow beta late last year, and the company's retort is at last finished. The newly available SwiftKey 4 -- Flow is just a component here -- brings Android writers the promised gesture-based typing along with Flow Through Space, which lets users glide to the spacebar to keep typing rather than pause after every word. The upgrade also expands contextual word prediction to 60 languages, offers simpler corrections and watches for personal typing habits to adjust accordingly -- it should learn whether you're a hunt-and-peck newcomer or a seasoned pro blazing along with both thumbs. The update is free for existing users in both phone- and tablet-sized forms, and it's temporarily priced at $2 (normally $4) to lure in anyone who isn't happy with their existing input methods. We gave the final version a spin on a Galaxy Nexus, and much of what we saw in the SwiftKey Flow beta holds true with SwiftKey 4. Anyone comfy with a gesture-based keyboard will be happy with the speed and accuracy here, especially when they don't have to lift their finger between words. However, the previous quirks remain as well: Flow Through Space tends to melt down after a few words, so you'll want to stop after "the quick brown fox" before you finish with "jumps over the lazy dog." The style recognition is harder to gauge when this author is an an experienced user who's only had a short while to teach the app any tricks, but the simplified corrections are handy for quickly polishing up a sentence. While we don't feel that SwiftKey is orchestrating a revolution with version 4, it doesn't have to -- the appeal here is not having to give up SwiftKey's generally well-regarded feel to get a feature previously reserved for competitors. It remains our go-to keyboard for those times we don't like what Google or phone designers have to offer.
SwiftKey Flow Beta available now, we tap our screens less
As promised, the latest update for one of our favorite Android keyboard has arrived. This time, there's a new input method that feels a little familiar, with text entry done by dragging your finger across the on-screen keys. SwiftKey's still trying to keep your spacebar interaction to a minimum, with its new 'flow through space' feature. This lets you glide down to the bar and back to writing without interrupting your missive. The new system still works in tandem with SwiftKey's predictive voodoo, meaning as your finger loops around the screen (followed by a multicolored streamer), the keyboard app should be able to figure out what you meant to type, although the prediction only works for so long -- we'd advise clipping your swipes to a handful of words at a time, as major mistakes can upset lengthy sentences. We've been playing with it over the last week and the keyboard still learns your lexicon by poring over your internet profile, still connecting to Gmail, Twitter, RSS feeds and your SMS history. The more typical touch keyboard is still available and in comparison, we've found it's taking us a little longer to get up to speed on the new method. However, it's notably zippier if you're one of those rare one-handed typists. If you're willing to give the beta a try, you can sign up for Swiftkey's VIP program -- which already totals over 75,000 important people -- to grab the early APK.
Google Play, developers slash prices on apps and media for Thanksgiving weekend
If you've taken advantage of the myriad Black Friday deals on mobile devices and PCs, you're probably looking for content to feed the technology beast. Google and app creators are pulling out all the stops to make sure that beast stays full: Google Play has discounts throughout the Thanksgiving weekend for just about every format on offer. Android apps are the highlight, with SwiftKey 3, Shadowgun and Documents To Go on the list of those with grander price cuts, although there's some definite bargains to be had in media. Among the picks are price drops on books like The Hobbit, movies like The Big Lebowski and Serenity, and music from the likes of Diana Krall and Kendrick Lamar. We can't possibly mention every offer here, so check our links for some of the larger deals. Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.
