14 DAY TRIAL // Launched less than three months ago, the popular text prediction application for Android, Swiftkey, has just received a major update that adds a new HD skin, UI improvements and five new languages.
Judging by user feedback, SwiftKey fails to get close to Swype in terms of reliability, speed and functionality. However, users who don't like swiping on their screens when using the Swype input method can try TouchType's SwiftKey text prediction application.
According to the developer, typing a 55-word, 273-character message requires just 108 key presses when using SwiftKey.
The Fluency Text Prediction Engine that powers SwiftKey learns as the user types, so with every SMS the application becomes more accurate in predicting the user's next message. This helps SwiftKey users skip whole words as they write, which saves lots of key-presses.
The new update adds an improved UI as well. According to TouchType CEO Jon Reynolds, “We've worked closely with UI experts to create a stunning high definition skin for SwiftKey, and from the feedback we've already received, people are loving it.”
Another interesting new feature is the addition of a keyboard layout without accented characters, as well as an improved language prediction quality.
Five new languages were also introduced for international users: Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Danish, Norwegian and Polish, as well as support for Scandinavian keyboard layouts.
SwiftKey's version 1.1.74 changelog is detailed below:
- New HD skin with sharper graphics and font; - 14 languages now supported; - New keyboard layouts: QWERTY English (no accented characters on long-press), QWERTY International (accented characters on long-press) and (AZERTY, QZERTY and QWERTZ also supported); - New suggestions ribbon added in landscape mode for menu options; - Trial now lasts 31 days. Bug fixes:
- Null Pointer Exception in resetTempLanguageModel; - Fixed candidates disappearing with hard keyboard after sending a message; - Added ç/Ç to AZERTY layout; - Support for hard keyboard microphone key on Motorola Droid; - Fix crash in QuickOffice. SwiftKey is now available for download from Android Market as an unlimited, paid application for $3.99. A free trial is also available, which offers predictions for only 31 days.
