SwiftKey Flow (beta) now available for phones and tablets

[Red Storm]

http://www.swiftkey.net/flow/

Just tried it on my Nexus 4. While I think the stock Android keyboard already does a pretty good job of swipe typing, it has an annoying thing where if you try to type, press enter, then type again right after it reloads the last word because it's not clearing from the keyboard fast enough. Not a very big issue at all, but this new SwiftKey Flow has continuous swipe typing. You just move your finger down to space and then start the next word so you can type entire sentences without lifting your finger.

 

[rcpratt]

How does it compare to Swype?

 

[Red Storm]

From the few minutes that I've used it now, I think it does swipe typing better than Swype, and then you have the added benefit of SwiftKey's really good prediction.

Best to worst IMHO:

SwiftKey Flow

Stock Android

Swype

Not that Swype is bad, the other two are just better.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

does swiftkey still force you to use the numpad format when you go select numbers?

 

[Red Storm]

does swiftkey still force you to use the numpad format when you go select numbers?

Their symbols keyboard does use the numpad format if that's what you're asking. This is a positive, not a negative...

 

[benzylic]

I cant even download a language pack, keep getting network error

edit: and right after i post that it starts working. i like it

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I'm a fan. The writing entire sentences is kinda weird because i always stop trying after every word so I'm trying to try and keep typng the entire sentence. Only issue is that if you notice a word is wrong, its hard to quickly get rid of it.

 

[podspi]

It took me a long time to finally get the language download, but it looks very interesting. Seems to be a better swype than swype, but I'm not convinced that its faster than the button mashing mess I do now.

 

[zerocool84]

Their symbols keyboard does use the numpad format if that's what you're asking. This is a positive, not a negative...

Some people don't like it but I do.

 

[rcpratt]

Interesting. The predictions might be slightly better than Swype. I don't really get the point of the "swipe to spacebar between words" thing. It seems easier to just lift. Plus that allows you to simply hit space for word prediction if you'd like.

What I don't like is the (lack of) ability to correct swiped words once they are complete.

I'll try it for a bit.

Also, it's really annoying that it doesn't always let me use the "flow" feature in browsers and such.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Their symbols keyboard does use the numpad format if that's what you're asking. This is a positive, not a negative...

Ehh. Not for me. Every other keyboard uses a row of numbers. I would prefer if they offered a choice... Kinda like a choice not to add a space after each word when picking.

 

[Red Storm]

Ehh. Not for me. Every other keyboard uses a row of numbers. I would prefer if they offered a choice... Kinda like a choice not to add a space after each word when picking.

Why would you not want a space? AFAIK punctuation will correctly place at the end of the word even after a space. It saves you time. Same for the numpad layout. Typing numbers on a tiny single line row is way more inefficient than a numpad.

 

[sygyzy]

I love and use Swiftkey 3 everyday. I love it. I just installed Flow and it kind of sucks. I also didn't like Swype when I used it. Maybe swiping is not for me.

 

[sygyzy]

Why would you not want a space? AFAIK punctuation will correctly place at the end of the word even after a space. It saves you time. Same for the numpad layout. Typing numbers on a tiny single line row is way more inefficient than a numpad.

Agreed. Numpad is way easier.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Swype is better imo. The 'swipe through space' just does not work and seems like a bad idea on the whole, it's just going to reduce accuracy and give you more to correct if it goes wrong.

Flow's interpretation is off for me, for example it won't input the word 'shipped' even when clearly going from S to H it will give you 'speed'.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Why would you not want a space? AFAIK punctuation will correctly place at the end of the word even after a space. It saves you time. Same for the numpad layout. Typing numbers on a tiny single line row is way more inefficient than a numpad.

If you're doing accounting yeah, like on a keyboard, but when I'm writing my just a few numbers like my Home address, I'm used to using the row of numbers.

My main gripe with Android keyboards is everyone's trying to introduce a "new way to type." Which is why with keyboards like Swiftkey, they may want to force people to switch from a row of numbers to a numpad. Great, but every other standard tapping keyboard out there doesn't do that. Offering a choice would be great. It's just like you can rely on Swiftkey's prediction or you can just tap away all you want and rely on correction.

Why not want a space? I don't know if its fixed but when I used to login and type in my email and it would predict my email, having a space inserted in my login is annoying as hell? It's a matter of personal preference, but to have a choice like Smart Keyboard Pro offers is useful.

Basically I just wish they had more options.

 

[Red Storm]

Swype is better imo. The 'swipe through space' just does not work and seems like a bad idea on the whole, it's just going to reduce accuracy and give you more to correct if it goes wrong.

Flow's interpretation is off for me, for example it won't input the word 'shipped' even when clearly going from S to H it will give you 'speed'.

You're right, it doesn't seem to be able to do shipped in swipe typing. Oh well it is a beta after all only released today.

Swipe through space is very neat for me because I can write short sentences all in one go, no need to lift my finger even once.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Also I don't know why their tablet keyboard still has the backspace button on the lower right. Upper right like a REAL keyboard would be nice... kinda like the stock android keyboard.

 

[gorcorps]

Not very good yet imo. I want to like it because swype has gotten worse with each update lately. The prediction on this is even worse so far. Maybe with time it'll get better but right now I'm wishing they put more than one word on the prediction bar when swiping.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I love and use Swiftkey 3 everyday. I love it. I just installed Flow and it kind of sucks. I also didn't like Swype when I used it. Maybe swiping is not for me.

It's just Swiftkey + Swype. You don't have to use the swype if you don't want to.

 

[Kelvrick]

Will try.

I like the stock android keyboard (nexus 4), but don't like how it doesn't have a question mark or comma on the main keyboard. Doesn't even have it as a long press.

 

[Red Storm]

Will try.

I like the stock android keyboard (nexus 4), but don't like how it doesn't have a question mark or comma on the main keyboard. Doesn't even have it as a long press.

Both are long presses on the period key. However, if you choose to remove the voice key from the main keyboard, the comma will take its place.

 

[Kelvrick]

Both are long presses on the period key. However, if you choose to remove the voice key from the main keyboard, the comma will take its place.

I knew about the long press on the period, but didn't realize the comma would replace the voice key through options. Thanks

I still prefer them as separate long presses on the z or m though.

 

[jpeyton]

Awesome keyboard so far. I was using Swype before but SwiftKey is much better at prediction.

 

[xSauronx]

I love and use Swiftkey 3 everyday. I love it. I just installed Flow and it kind of sucks. I also didn't like Swype when I used it. Maybe swiping is not for me.

maybe, but i wouldnt use a touchscreen device without it.

ill try this swiftkey flow thing, ive been stuck on swype for a while but that looks like its worth a shot