United Kingdom
Very
good
 |
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
Section rating:
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
Section rating:
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
Section rating:
SwiftKey X (Phone) runs absolutely smoothly. Pristine and stabile performance.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
SwiftKey X (Phone) can be downloaded for EUR2,80 from our App Center. Definitely well-worth the somewhat steep price.
Developer
Top App:
SwiftKey Keyboard
SwiftKey – the best-selling keyboard on Android #1 selling app in 38 countries, over (...)
SwiftKey – the best-selling keyboard on Android #1 selling app in 38 countries, over (...)
You must be logged in in order to become a fan of TouchType Ltd.
Features
Screen
Speed
Price
Market Rating:
AndroidPIT User Rating:
Own Rating:
Log yourself in!
Ad
Bookmark / E-Mail
Click on an icon to bookmark this test report. » Send this article via e-mailScreenshots
All Test Reports
- Applications (591)
- Games (396)
Market Comments
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Great prediction algorithm! Only possible improvement I can think of is to allow more keyboard layout options. (I like the Samsung Galaxy S4's keyboard as it has a small row of numbers along the top.) The prediction it handles trumps the layout issue for me though.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Gotta get used to it or I would have fast e I'd have rated higher but I'm still getting used to it. Just got it.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Great, needs haptic fix on s4! Been using this for a couple years and out of nowhere the haptic stopped working on my S4. All default typing apps still have working haptic, but this sucks! Please fix! Also would be nice to have the option to have permanent number keys above letter keyboard like the default S4 keyboard.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Great Love it three years later it's still hands down best app ever turned in my iPhone because I missed this keyboard that much I'd give it infinite stars if I could money very well spent love it more then ever.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Really easy to use but 1 problem On group play on android the 'done' button in the section you enter pin does not exist. it is necessary as you cannot use group play otherwise. Please fix. This button comes on the default keypad on android
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Love/hate it Swiping to enter text is really a step above typing for me. But every so often it gets a word wrong over and over and is unable to offer alternatives. I find Google's keyboard to be more accurate with gestures but less convenient with symbols.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Please remove auto correct when typing url at chrome Please remove the function of auto correct when typing url in chrome like what swype do. I really hate using swiftkey when typing url. The auto correct and link to search history is so annoying
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Excellent Best keyboard I have used to date (and I've tried a lot of them). Great improvement over the stock keyboard, even though that's really good as is. SwiftKey has gotten it right by far!
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
It's fast, customizable, and has pretty good predictions. It's honestly worth the money.
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
The best I've tried a ton of different keyboards and I always come back to SwiftKey! Highly recommend!
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
BEST AP OUT THERE! It totally Works, and is Reliable!! I wouldn't give this ap up!! Even if you wanted to pay me to do so!! THANK YOU!
A Google User, Jun 18, 2013
Excellent! Anyone who feels the built in keyboard in their phone isn't doing it owe it to themselves to try this app out. It's worth the mere pennies! 5/5 stars.
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.