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Next Generation T9 Keyboard Technology

Posted by samzenpus on from the type-in-a-new-way dept.

Iddo Genuth writes "Cliff Kushler, the inventor of the T9 keyboard technology for numeric keypads, has developed a new alphanumeric entry technology for touch-screen laptops and Smartphone devices. This latest technology, named Swype, works with an on-screen QWERTY keyboard similar to ones found on Windows Mobile and the iPhone. The difference from the usual method of typing in the letters is that a finger or stylus is used to slide in the first letter, then without lifting the finger, the user continues writing the entire word. Only once the word is completed can the finger be lifted off. According to the developers, this leads to a much faster way of 'typing,' or as we might call it soon, 'swiping.'"

6 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. An entire generation will be thinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Swyper no swyping"!

  2. Dvorak? by XanC · · Score: 5, Interesting

    All these virtual keyboards are hard-coded for QWERTY, which makes even less sense for that kind of device than for a modern keyboard!

    Dvorak should be an option, along with alphabetical order.

    Actually for this thing, there's probably a whole new layout that's optimal. (That's an exercise for the reader to invent.)

    1. Re:Dvorak? by Anthony_Cargile · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually for this thing, there's probably a whole new layout that's optimal. (That's an exercise for the reader to invent.)

      Introducing the patented, copywritten hunt-and-peck touchscreen keyboard! Perfect for touchscreens of all types, and optimized for the elderly! And as an added bonus, pay shipping and handling to receive 2 hunt-and-peck keyboards! Only 2 easy payments of $19.95!

      and one very difficult payment of $49.99

      Order now!

    2. Re:Dvorak? by i.of.the.storm · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This might be the optimal layout: HexInput. Or at least, it's designed to work in a similar manner to what's described.

      --
      All your base are belong to Wii.
  3. WritingPad by blacklint · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've had an iPhone application for quite a while that uses this. It's called WritingPad, and the about screen has a link to http://shapewriter.com/.

  4. This was "swype'd" from Dr Zhai, of IBM, research by mTor · · Score: 5, Informative

    Take a look at this demo of ShapeWriter from IBM. It's the same thing as Swype and was invented 5 years ago. Dr Zhai has formed a company around the tech and you can see it here: ShapeWriter.