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Despite Swype for Android’s limited availability due to the company’s desire for OEM deals instead of direct-to-consumer sales, many people have access to it and use it as their primary keyboard. Those people would be happy to know that a new update is available, and with it comes some very neat features that you won’t find on many other keyboards.
One of those features is Dictionary Sync and I can’t tell you how much I would appreciate something like this in my keyboard of choice. As the name implies, Dictionary Sync will allow you to sync your saved words to the cloud.
Instead of having to restore old data from an APK backup or go through the dreaded process of having to re-enter my words they will now automatically be ready for download should I ever run into the need to reset or replace my device. Perhaps you simply want your words on every device you have — welp, no need to worry about doubling up on the work with these features.
And Swype will now even figure out which words are trending and automatically add them to your dictionary. “Gangnam” probably wasn’t in many people’s keyboards, but with this feature it would surely be added with how many people are searching for the viral YouTube video.
It does leave some questions regarding piracy, though. Where is the data coming from? Is it from the opt-in dictionary sync feature or are they taking data from everyone’s keystrokes?
Android warns users that third party keyboards may collect data about the input it receives (which is fine and totally understandable for a keyboard that needs personalization features), but you start to wonder just how much they’re looking at and what they may be doing with that data.
Swype has always appeared to be a trustworthy company and foul play is the last thing I’d suspect, but if the Carrier IQ debacle taught me anything it’s that you never really know until it’s laid out on the table.
That’s why we’ve sought comment from Swype on the deeper aspects of this feature and the methods they use to make it possible. Be sure to check periodically as we hope to have an update.
Beyond all of that, there is now better support for those who use Japanese and Chinese keyboards, and there are now ten different themes you can use to make your keyboard “fit” with the rest of your OS. The only way to get this one is to go inside the app and download it — us lowly folk without the necessary hardware still can’t get it from the Google Play Store. Read on for full press details.
Swype’s Learning, Living Keyboard Gets Even More Personal
Swype Lets You Take Your Personalized Dictionary with You from One Device to Another with Backup and Sync; Adds Hotwords, New Tablet Interface Choices and Swappable Keyboard Designs
Burlington, Mass. – October 18, 2012 – Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today released the latest version of the Swype keyboard at http://beta.swype.com. The latest version of Swype is more personal than ever as it now lets people sync their personal dictionary across multiple mobile devices. Swype also now features three different tablet keyboards, updates dictionaries with relevant trending ‘hotwords’, and offers multiple fun keyboard theme choices.
Swype is a four-in-one keyboard that lets people choose how they stay connected, whether they swype, type, write, or speak. Swype “learns” each individual user’s text input style and builds a personal language model– in other words, the more Swype is used, the smarter it gets. In addition to the new capabilities announced earlier this year, Swype now features:
- · Dictionary Backup & Sync: Swype now backs up and syncs a user’s personal dictionary across any of their mobile devices. So now when nicknames like “Ollie” are added to a mobile phone, that word will be automatically added to the personal dictionary on a tablet as well as all other registered devices.
- · Swype for Tablets: Swype has taken tablet innovation to the next level by offering a choice of three different keyboard layouts for tablets: the original keyboard, a small and moveable keyboard, and a split keyboard. So no matter what style keyboard, people can stay connected and productive from anywhere.
- · Hotwords: Language is evolving faster than ever and Swype now updates dictionaries with the latest global trending words. Swype users can opt-in to receive updates to their dictionaries and stay up to date with the newest ‘hotwords’, like “Gangnam Style.”
- · Themes: Swype allows users to further personalize their devices with the new keyboard theme options. Users can access up to 10 different themes in Swype’s settings menu for quick and cool keyboard customizations.
- · More Language Support: The latest update to Swype also features enhancements to the Chinese keyboard with an additional tool bar and has added a Flick keyboard to Japanese. Users can also expect many more languages with Advanced Language Models that predict the words and phrases users Swype the most.
“Swype has proven that Android users love choice and flexibility as part of their user experience,” said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “Swype has truly embraced a multimodal, personalized keyboard that learns and adapts to each user’s preference. And with the ability to carry that experience across Android devices, pick your keyboard layout, automatically stay up on key trends and hotwords, Swype is by far the most customizable keyboard on the market.”
Availability
Download the Swype Beta for Android to any Android device including those with Swype preloaded, by simply visiting http://beta.swype.com. Nuance’s Swype platform is also available for OEMs supporting the Android Platform as well as via an SDK for other operating systems.
About Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.
Nuance, Swype and the Nuance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States of America and/or other countries. All other company names or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
> It does leave some questions regarding piracy, though.
piracy, or privacy?
What’s the new version number?
Surely they’d just look at Twitter for trending words.
I had to downgrade my Swype to an older version via Titanium Backup because they messed up the German keyboard layout with all the umlauts. Really sucks to learn new word paths when switching between German and English.
how to update to the lastest version?
I go to beta.swype.com and download the installer but it is stil the old version (1.1.1)
Why doesn’t the Galaxy S3 have this Keyboard? Or am I missing something. I hate the stock Keyboard
It does have swype I use it on mine all the time. Go to (Settings->Language and Input)and change your default keyboard to Swype.
Damn, your my hero. there must have been some update cause it wasn’t there before.
Ok that’s fine and dandy but where the hell are the themes huh?!?!?! With all of these different versions of swype one would think that they would finally get their act together and allow some sort of customization!
Search xda…there are versions of djdarkknight’s themed versions floating around there.
First thing I did was check my Swype app for an upgrade, but 1.1.1 is still the latest.
Next, I checked beta.swype.com and discovered that the update won’t be released until tomorrow (10/18).
This early press release and release delay would’ve been helpful in the writeup…
Thanks, last time I checked (only one hour before you write this comment) there was no indication on their site and it was already 10/18 where I live, so all this was pretty confusing.
Swiftkey needs this, you have no clue how many times I loose my stuff
when going from one ROM to another. TIBU dosn’t back up my words and
typing characteristics.
“It does leave some questions regarding piracy, though. Where is the data coming from? Is it from the opt-in dictionary sync feature or are they taking data from everyone’s keystrokes?”
I believe it’s in the Swype Connect section, second to last, to allow Swype to collect usage data. It’s an optional thing. I usually keep mine on. I’m not planning any terrorist actions or have any dirty secrets so whatever helps their program is fine by me since it’s my go-to keyboard. Others may not feel the same way of course.
If you go into Swype settings and look at updates, it’s showing 1 for me, when I click on download it “downloads” eternally. Any ideas?
Nuance’s focus on OEM deals and refusal of end-user sales is unfortunate. I’ve tried and paid for other keyboards, including SwiftKey, but keep going back to Swype. Given an opportunity I would certainly pay for it if doing so meant getting an actual release version, and eliminated the looming possibility that they can discontinue their beta program at any time.
Why did they change the font of the letters? I don’t understand why them taking less space per key is better. The key is there, it is just empty space now. The easier it is to see the letter the easier it is for everyone to use.
Trending is stoopid, and for prepubescent boys.
This Swype update is also bringing trending crashes. I updated this morning as prompted and when I select Swype as my input method, swype flashes up then crashes and I get the stock Android keyboard. I have uninstalled. I have accepted EULA and activated. I have rebooted. Nothing is working.
Other people on the forum here and on Swype’s facebook page are reporting the same.
JellyBean 4.1.2 on a stock Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Swype 1.3.1.9274 downloaded on 18 October
I CAN’T got back to tapping! I can’t!
I can’t seem to find anything that says what will happen to my existing user dictionary if I install the beta. I’m not rooted, and I need to know how to backup the hundreds of words already in my user dictionary first. I’m sick of starting over.