iOS keyboard vs Android Keyboard

[CuriousMike]

I have a Samsung S3.
My wife has an iPhone 5.

I like my phone, she likes hers.

I find using the onscreen keyboard for her phone much better than on my GS3.

I've used stock keyboard and also Swiftkey; my issue is the same on both: It takes way more effort to get the letter I want to hit on the keyboard.

My wifes iPhone ... it's unbelievably easier to type on.

Any ideas why I'm seeing this behaviour?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Could it be just typing on a small screen is easier? I guess if you are a thumb style typer, the smaller iPhone might be easier to type on. I'm more of a index finger pecker, so I'm the same on any keyboard it seems.

 

[CuriousMike]

Could it be just typing on a small screen is easier? I guess if you are a thumb style typer, the smaller iPhone might be easier to type on. I'm more of a index finger pecker, so I'm the same on any keyboard it seems.

I'm a thumb-typer --- it seems counter-intuitive that a smaller screen makes it easier, but that could be it.

 

[ControlD]

I'm a thumb-typer --- it seems counter-intuitive that a smaller screen makes it easier, but that could be it.

That's interesting. One of the main reasons I switched from iPhone to Android was that in two years I never got comfortable with typing on the keyboard. One day with swype texting and I knew I would never go back. I have a friend that is just the opposite and very much prefers thumb typing on the iPhone. Different strokes (literally) for different folks!

 

[ImDonly1]

That's because no one types letter by letter on androids. Everyone uses swype and it is faster. Though I do admit it takes some getting used to coming from an iPhone.

 

[dawheat]

That's because no one types letter by letter on androids. Everyone uses swype and it is faster. Though I do admit it takes some getting used to coming from an iPhone.

I don't use swype on my Note 2, but always use the word prediction in Swiftkey. I rarely have to type half the word to complete it.

 

[vi edit]

Swype + a number row (on my note 2) + long tap for special characters = never could go back to iOS stock keyboard.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I have an iPhone 5 and Nexus 4. I use the stock keyboard on my N4. The iPhone picks up the typing well. It has nothing to do with the screen size. I'm guessing Apple uses dynamic key sizing, so depending on what you type, it'll figure what the next possible characters are, and then enlarge those keys virtually so you have more space. I'm frequently worried I'll hit the wrong key especially in the search box of Safari where there's no spell check or URL bar. Yet somehow it picks up the correct letter a lot.

That's because no one types letter by letter on androids. Everyone uses swype and it is faster. Though I do admit it takes some getting used to coming from an iPhone.

Actually amongst most typical users almost everyone taps, at least from my observations. It's faster because tapping on Android keyboards has always been crappy except maybe with Swiftkey. I get it, Android's had horrible tapping keyboards for a long time, and for us to have a decent typing experience, people jumped to Swype. However, it doesn't mean that Swype's the only way to type. If Android had a great tapping keyboard to begin with there would've been less urge to jump ship. iOS got the tapping keyboard down well, so I can type ridiculously fast on it and be about as accurate as if I were on my N4 if not more accurate using the iPhone 5. Apple did a truly remarkable job on the keyboard, and it's a shame that its held back with the small screen.

 

[lopri]

I can't tell if the OP is serious.

 

[CuriousMike]

I can't tell if the OP is serious.

Serious?

I'm very serious.

 

[jpeyton]

Android has several options, the best of which is Google Keyboard: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

iOS can't really compare.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Android has several options, the best of which is Google Keyboard: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

iOS can't really compare.

How is the BEST option the Google keyboard? You must be kidding me. It's middling AT BEST.

- In terms of tapping accuracy, it's probably on par with iOS at best. iOS certainly implements dynamic key resizing to make typing easier. I don't feel the same being implemented on Android. It was present on Smart Keyboard.

- The prediction is far behind Swiftkey, and Google relies on 3 autocorrections to help get the correct choice. You can argue iOS only has 1, but if you get it right the first time, why use 2 others?

- The swiping is far behind Swype. I find myself having to slow down a lot and reswype and exaggerate the bounces between letters. In the end I ask why bother? If I want to purely swipe, use Swype. If I want this hybrid crap, Google doesn't do a good job, I'm better off tapping than swiping on the stock keyboard.

iOS can't compare because it doesn't offer you a choice, right, but I still have yet to see Google's keyboard rival the iOS keyboard in basic tapping ability... you know the same keyboard functionality EVERY touchscreen OS has had so far. Let's not forget that when Windows Phone launched in 2010 it already offered a better keyboard than Android. It's kinda sad.

 

[Red Storm]

iOS can't compare because it doesn't offer you a choice, right, but I still have yet to see Google's keyboard rival the iOS keyboard in basic tapping ability... you know the same keyboard functionality EVERY touchscreen OS has had so far. Let's not forget that when Windows Phone launched in 2010 it already offered a better keyboard than Android. It's kinda sad.

I would argue if you don't offer swipe style typing you're keyboard is bad period. There's no excuse not to have it anymore, it's 2013.

In terms of gesture based typing, I'd rank them in this order:

Swype
Google
Samsung/HTC
Swiftkey

 

[QueBert]

I have big fingers and I find typing on an iPhone far easier. I don't Swype and with every Android keyboard I've tried I make mistake after mistake after mistake. I shouldn't be able to type better on a smaller screen with my big fingers, but that's exactly what it is for me. Also imho there's no comparing the auto correcting. Android's pretty shitty, iOS isn't perfect but it's far better even with only a single suggestion.

 

[ControlD]

How is the BEST option the Google keyboard? You must be kidding me. It's middling AT BEST.

-

Actually I find the Google keyboard to be the best as well. I am talking about the latest version that you get from the Play store (which is probably the same thing that comes with the Nexus I suppose). I have tried Swype, Swiftkey and the Google keyboard and for me Google wins. I rarely have to correct any words and the swiping motions required are simple and easy.

 

[rcpratt]

I don't understand how people struggle with Swype. I type out a sentence real quick, then look at it for errors, then click each error and click the correct word (99% of the time the word I'm looking for is in the Swype bar). And I'm still done long before I could have finished pecking at the letters.

 

[VashHT]

I had an iphone 4 for almost 2 years and never really got used to the keyboard, it's really just your style of typing. I don't get the hate for the google keyboard though, I know a bunch of people at my work that like it better than swype or swiftkey.

 

[QueBert]

I don't understand how people struggle with Swype. I type out a sentence real quick, then look at it for errors, then click each error and click the correct word (99% of the time the word I'm looking for is in the Swype bar). And I'm still done long before I could have finished pecking at the letters.

Some people don't struggle with it, we just don't like it. I can type about 70wpm on the iOS keyboard and it's auto correcting works fantastic. On Android I use Swiftkey without whatever they call their swipe thing enabled.

 

[Red Storm]

Some people don't struggle with it, we just don't like it. I can type about 70wpm on the iOS keyboard and it's auto correcting works fantastic. On Android I use Swiftkey without whatever they call their swipe thing enabled.

How fast can you type one handed on an iPhone?

I always recall iPhone fans bringing up that they can use their phones one handed all the time, well gotta factor typing into that equation as well. That is the main advantage of swipe style typing, you can still type really fast but with one less hand, very useful when on the go or carrying something.

 

[ControlD]

How fast can you type one handed on an iPhone?

I always recall iPhone fans bringing up that they can use their phones one handed all the time, well gotta factor typing into that equation as well. That is the main advantage of swipe style typing, you can still type really fast but with one less hand, very useful when on the go or carrying something.

You might be surprised. I have a couple of friends that can bang out words at incredible speeds with one thumb on the iPhone. They can also do it without needing to look at the phone most of the time. For whatever reason I never could get the hang of typing on the iPhone which is why it is nice to have a choice. If the rumors are true that Apple is going to allow third party keyboards then iPhone users will finally have that choice as well. They just waited a little too long for some of us.

 

[cronos]

Everyone have different typing styles, and familiarity with a certain keyboard type is a huge factor. Nothing is better than the other, anything could be the best option for someone.

I've used Swiftkey for more than two years and now when I type something I barely need to type three letters and then a spacebar will complete the word, every time. Not to mention I have dual language turned on and often switched languages mid-sentence or use words from alternating languages back and forth. And still with all that all I had to do is letter-letter-space bar, letter-letter-letter-space bar, letter-space bar. No other keyboard can do this as accurately as Swiftkey for me.

When I got my iPod Touch several months ago I tried chatting with it and it was a torture. I kept hitting the wrong letters and the prediction was horrible (understandable, because it's new), and I really missed the dual language thing.

 

[Fardringle]

The IOS keyboard on the iPad isn't bad for touch/tap typing. But on a small screen like the iPhone it's just too tedious to use, and I don't have large hands. My wife frequently tells me that I have to give her my Nexus 7 and take her iPad because the default Google keyboard is vastly better in every possible way.

 

[zerogear]

I like SwiftKey/Thumb Keyboard/Swype -- stock Samsung keyboard is lacking.

 

[jpeyton]

iOS certainly implements dynamic key resizing to make typing easier. I don't feel the same being implemented on Android.

Is dynamic resizing needed when you're not limited to lilliputian 3.5"-4" screens?

The swiping is far behind Swype.

I found it to be better than Swype.

 

[Spineshank]

I always found the stock Android keyboard to awful. I do use the Google keyboard on my Nexus and like that a lot.