R.I.P Swype keyboard [unconfirmed story]
When the keyboard application Swype entered Android application store half a decade ago, it created history. Those were the days when we had to rely on on screen keyboard with no extra function. Swype was the first keyboard that you can slide your finger to type and lift finger between words. This application changed the way we used smart phone keyboards. Sad news is that this development of this legendary keyboard application may have stopped as Nuance wants to concentrate on developing their AI solutions.
This came into light when a Redditor emailed Nuance support regarding an issue with the keyboard application and got this in response:
“However, we are sad to announce that Swype+Dragon for Android has faced end of development. Here is a statement from Swype Product Team:
Nuance will no longer be updating the Swype+Dragon keyboard for Android. We’re sorry to leave the direct-to-consumer keyboard business, but this change is necessary to allow us to concentrate on developing our AI solutions for sale directly to businesses.
We hope you enjoyed using Swype, we sure enjoyed working with the Swype community.”
I had used Swype a lot till I switched to SwiftKey which offered better features for free or for lower price. Nuance may pull the application out of Android, they may not. If you want to give it a try, install the application from Play Store or from Apple App Store. There is a very good chance that the application is acquired by another company. Microsoft is one good place for Swype to be at given that they are acquiring or designing lot of Android applications. What do you think?
