Prior to iOS 8 there was no real way of choosing how you type. You were stuck with the standard iPhone keyboard. Tap, tap, tap. Apple believed that the iPhone’s keyboard was the most powerful. And it was, until the gesture based typing revolution began.
Then came Swype, a swipe-based keyboard. Swype has been available for Android for years. Apple touts one handed-usage, yet it lacked a gesture-based keyboard. Something like Swype is meant for one handed usage. More specifically, one thumb usage.
Just like every other third-party keyboard on iOS, Swype requires you to download an app on the home screen. The app itself doesn’t do much. You’ll have to navigate to the Keyboard settings within the stock Settings app.
At first glance Swype looks incredible. It’s one of the best — if not the best looking third-party keyboards for iOS. Though this can be tweaked from the keyboard’s settings pane. (Tap and hold the Swype icon in your keyboard, swipe up to the gear, and tap on themes.)
The keyboard also offers, in addition to a swipe based keyboard, Swype offers keyboard shortcuts. Similar to the jailbreak tweak AltKeyboard, Swype allows you to have quick access to the secondary keyboard. Simply tap and hold on any given key, an overlay will come up with the secondary key and accented letters.
In terms of accuracy, Swype learns as you type. It’s obviously engineered with default responses, but — just like Siri — the more you use Swype, the better it gets your words right.
Overall, Swype is a great keyboard and is a must to check out. I haven’t spent enough time with it to really say wether or not I like it. That will be coming in a review later.
Swype is available on the App Store for $1.
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