Android News
Google acquires on-screen keyboard company BlindType
October 2, 2010 | by Lars Aronsson
Android News, Google
There are many different on-screen keyboard solutions for Android, all trying to help users input text as quickly and hassle-free as possible: Swype, SwiftKey, HTC Keyboard, the stock Android keyboard, and then there is BlindType. The latter has the tagline “touch typing the way it should be – accuracy not required”, and through some algorithm wizardry, it basically aims to predict words no matter how terrible you are at typing and regardless of how the text was inputted.
The company has now been acquired by Google itself, and it seems logical that Google will take advantage of BlindType’s expertise when developing the native on-screen keyboard in future versions of Android. The BlindType team lets us now via their blog that they’re “excited to join Google, and look forward to the great opportunities for mobile innovation that lie ahead.”
BlindType highlights:
- Eliminates touch typing frustrations
- Allows for super sloppy typing
- Helps you type easier and faster
- Constantly adjusts to the user’s “perceived” keyboard and typing style
- Just type the way you are used to – no gestures, nothing new to learn!
Via [BlindType blog, Engadget]
I'm no expert but, HTC has had those features for awhile. With the exception of the learning part.
@Bruce: which features are you talking about? Have you seen their other Demo Video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDF4ocLhQM
Really just one, the part about typing the wrong letters and the software recognizing the real word you are trying to type. My HTC already has that feature.
I'm really happy that google brought this company into the fold; should produce some interesting results in Android on phones and tablets. For my part, I'm a BIG Swype fan (it really only took a little while (less than 10 minutes) to get used to). Those who haven't tried it really should check it out. You will likely be "typing" MUCH faster on your phone after a (brief) "learning curve" period.
in my opinion, blind type is much better than swype. but the key thing here is this: iOS have a good virtual keyboard. it sucks at some things, but is generally better than Android's Stock keyboard. Changing the Stock keyboard better is important here because, whether its Android, Chrome OS or on the Web, a virtual keyboard exists and its a competitive edge. Here are more demos of blindtype vs Android and iOS keyboards. >> http://www.productiveorganizer.com/android-ecosys… My recent post How to get refunds from Apple’s App Store when you make a wrong purchase