Comments on: ShapeWriter – Very Promising New Way To Enter Text on iPhone

By: DailyiPhoneUser

DailyiPhoneUser — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:01:49 +0000

I would like to see this as an option as the main keyboard for the os

By: patrickj

patrickj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:52:57 +0000

In reply to aflorence. Good point. And I have to admit it 'felt' faster when using ShapeWriter, but the results of my quick test didn't back that up. I would promise to update it when I've spent a longer time practicing with ShapeWriter, but for the reasons you and I have both mentioned above, I don't see that happening right now.

By: aflorence

aflorence — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:45:59 +0000

In reply to patrickj. I can see your point, but without any stats showing that others can type faster with this method, it just says to me, "While it is easy to use and cool looking, It takes just about the same amount of time to type regularly than this new method. The time saved by drawing lines between characters instead of lifting the finger (and the opportunity to use two fingers at the same time) and pressing the next character is negligible."

By: patrickj

patrickj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:30:12 +0000

In reply to aflorence. I have the same reluctance as you. For now, I find this interesting, but unless it becomes an option that is usable across the whole OS, it's of very little practical use. As for the quick time tests, I thought they did reflect well on ShapeWriter, as I had nearly two years worth of practice on the iPhone's virtual keyboard and about 15 minutes of getting to know ShapeWriter, when I did them.

By: aflorence

aflorence — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:19:23 +0000

I remember seeing a CNet/ZDNet video of the guy that came up with T9 text input demoing this at some electronics show a while back. I was, and still am, a little reluctant to get used to another input method, considering it cannot be used in any other environment so far. For example, I'm sure the Dvorak keyboard is probably the most efficient input method, but I simply do not want to learn to type another way and then not be able to type well using the worldwide standard keyboards. Also, maybe you should post a timing test again after you get used to the new input method because right now it doesn't look very flattering.

By: patrickj

patrickj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:57:46 +0000

In reply to Lisa Tiyamiyu. Glad to hear you're liking it too Lisa. Nice to see a few votes for having this as an input option.

By: Lisa Tiyamiyu

Lisa Tiyamiyu — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:45:38 +0000

I just tried it out and I have to say WOW. It works very intuitively and recognizes the words really well. I wish the iphone would have this as a native input method for all apps.

By: patrickj

patrickj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:25:04 +0000

In reply to Doug. Not new = thought so. It used to go by a different name I think. I think an option to use this more widely would be nice.

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:46:33 +0000

This is actually not a new app. I found it right after I got my iPod Touch (before the 2nd gen came out). But I agree with you, it is the best text entry system I have ever found, short of just having a keyboard. 🙂 The only think stopping me from buying the pro version is that I cannot replace the default keyboard with it. Now that would be something cool. 🙂

Doug