Swype today released an update to its popular keyboard for Android devices. The only catch: right now it's only available for Sprint's Nexus S 4G. So I grabbed a Nexus S and downloaded the latest version of Swype test out the new features.
If you haven't already used it, you can probably tell from the name that Swype is based on swiping. Whereas most touch-screen keyboards require you to lift your finger from character to character, Swype allows you to drag your finger across the keyboard to spell out words. It's a divisive alternative to traditional finger tapping, but there are plenty of users out there who swear by it.
As mentioned, you can only try out the latest version of Swype if you have a Nexus S 4G for Sprint. If you do, head over to sprint.swype.com to download and install the app. You'll have to allow your phone to install applications from unknown sources and change your default keyboard to Swype, but you will be prompted to complete both of these actions during the installation.
Not much has changed as far as typing, or shall I say swiping, is concerned, but the biggest innovation here is the addition of App Gestures. App Gestures allow you to launch a few popular apps directly from the keyboard. By sliding from the Swype-Key to T to W, for instance, I was able to automatically launch Twitter. This was even better after I highlighted some text, then swiped my way over to Twitter, and the highlight text appeared, ready to be tweeted.
App gestures are also available for Facebook and Google Maps. Facebook can be opened by sliding from the Swype-Key to F to B and Google Maps by sliding from the Swype-Key to G to M. The apps need to be installed in order to open, and they opened automatically in my tests.
There are also new Shortcut Gestures, which allows you to copy, cut, paste, and select-all with just a few quick swipes. To select all, for instance, I simply slid from the Swipe-Key to A, and watched all the text on screen become highlighted. The process is similarly easy to copy, cut, and paste, and they each worked exactly as advertised.
In addition to these updates, users can now manage their personal dictionary directly from Swype's Settings menu. This allows you to add, edit, and delete words, and is extremely easy to modify. You can also reset your dictionary to delete all the words you've added.
Proper nouns are now automatically capitalized, too, which worked just fine for every proper noun I threw at it. Finally, pop-up tips have been added that fade out after five seconds. They're helpful for first-time users, and can even teach everyone else a thing or two, but they can also be turned off in Swype's settings if you find them annoying.
Overall, each of these features are welcome additions, though they don't necessarily change the Swype experience. You're still going to love it or hate with or without the new gestures and personal dictionary management. But for Swype fans, hopefully these updates will soon make their way to all Android devices.
For more, see Hands On: Swype 3.0 for Honeycomb Tablets and the slideshow below.