SwiftKey X (Phone) – Type the Night Away
Tested version: 2.0.5.153
Latest version: 4.1.3.149
Requires Android: from 2.1
Summary
Android comes with a virtual keyboard which can sometime seem like it has a mind of its own—there’s definitely room for improvement there which is just what the SwiftKey X (Phone) people must’ve thought to themselves. What they came up with is a virtual keyboard the can predict words and even full sentences, and it keeps getting better the longer you use it. Sounds like a dream! Is it? Find out in today’s review.
Features & Use
Test device: LG Optimus Speed / 2x
Android version: 2.3.5
Mods: MIUI
I’ve tested many keyboards but, truth be told, none have really struck a chord with me. So my expectations weren’t soaring when I decided to try out SwiftKey X (Phone), but I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised.
In a nutshell: SwiftKey X (Phone) susses out your style of writing and enables you to write entire sentences merely by hitting the space bar. Amaze-balls!
After you install the keyboard an assistant guides you through the primary setup. Up to three dictionaries (in three different languages, obviously) can be downloaded and stay active simultaneously. In my experience the system does a brilliant job at recognising which language I was writing in (I would say it is 99% accurate).
There are standard language packages, as well as personalised ones which SwiftKey X (Phone) puts together using data from Facebook, GMail, Twitter and SMS you’ve sent out. This means that SwiftKey starts ‘learning’ your personal language/i.e. style from the get-go. Transferring data from said external sources to SwiftKey worked like a charm, and the app keeps getting better and better the more you use it and the more it becomes knowledgeable of your way of writing.
The assistant even asks you to evaluate your own typing skills, that is it want to know how precisely you can type, in order to optimise the suggestions.
I’ve been using the app for several weeks now and feel it’s safe to say that it’s a great tool and time saver. I checked SwiftKey’s statistics and am told that my writing efficiency has gone up by 30% . I also didn’t have to type in thousands of characters.
Long press on ‘123’ and a separate keyboards only for smilies, symbols and arrow buttons opens up. This is especially useful for navigating through texts on devices that don’t have a trackball.
You can also choose to have the arrows displayed near the bottom of the display permanently.
You can also alter the appearance of the keyboard using the ‘Them and layout’ options. There are three themes to choose from: light, dark and a blue neon one. I like all three.
The keyboard can also be changed from QWERTY to QWERTZ.
Bottom line:
SwiftKey X (Phone) can help save a lot of time, period. The app can complete whole sentences for you and even knows which smiley is context-appropriate. I love that the app supports three languages as once, and I really wouldn’t want to have to make do without this app after seeing what a difference it can make.
Screen & Controls
SwiftKey X (Phone) is easy and intuitive to use. The setup assitant is especially useful. We’re knocking one star off because the settings are in English only.
Speed & Stability
SwiftKey X (Phone) runs absolutely smoothly. Pristine and stabile performance.
Price/Performance Ratio
SwiftKey X (Phone) can be downloaded for EUR2,80 from our App Center. Definitely well-worth the somewhat steep price.
Developer
Top App:
SwiftKey – the best-selling keyboard on Android #1 selling app in 38 countries, over (...)
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Swift key is pretty amazing. I'm glad that you have it at android pitt now. I like to jump from swype to swift key as they both suit me in different situations.