Apr 24
Swype has finally dropped its Beta tag and gone official—which means it’s now in the Play store, easy to install, and no longer free. More »
Apr 23
Swype now available via Google Play
Posted in: Today's ChiliNuance has rolled out its latest update for Swype, bringing with it some new keyboard themes, and a few other improvements and and change. The big news, however, is that for the first time Android users can get the keyboard app from Google Play, which has a limited-time special price of $0.99, after which point you’ll have to shell out an unspecified amount.
In addition to the limited-time special pricing, Nuance is also offering a free 30-day trial, giving those who’ve never used it before a chance to find out what it’s all about. The big news aside, users will find a total of 13 keyboard designs, with two new ones being added: Holo and Artic. Living Language Dialect support has also been expanded, gaining support for more than 20 dialects. Australian users, for example, will enjoy auto-loaded words like brekky.
For Dragon Mobile Assistant, a simple method has been added that allows users to pull up the personal mobile assistant by dragging their finger between the Swype button and Dragon flame. And it’s worth noting that Swype is no longer in beta, but Nuance advises that users who want to remain in the beta program for when new features are developed can do so by hitting up Swype’s Beta page.
Nuance Mobile’s Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Thompson said, “Swype was a game changer when first unveiled, and ever since, it has continued to set the bar for intuitive and intelligent keyboard innovation … Based on the incredible success of our beta program and our vocal customers, we decided to extend the power of Swype to more Android users through Google Play. Android users deserve the best keyboard – settling for an alternative is no longer necessary.”
[via Engadget]
Swype now available via Google Play is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 23
Minuum Keyboard For Android
Posted in: Today's Chili
Ever since touchscreen displays have become the norm for smartphone and subsequently, tablet users, there are still some of us out there who are not too happy with a virtual keyboard. After all, there is nothing quite like the feel of having your fingers dance all over a physical keyboard, no? The transition to a virtual keyboard is even harder for folks so used to the QWERTY keyboard as well as BlackBerry devices, and weaning oneself off such mentality can be quite a difficult thing to do. Sure, there has been advances made to ensure that virtual keyboards are easier and smarter to use such as Swype, and here we are with another contender – the Minuum keyboard.
Basically, the Minuum is a new keyboard for the Android environment that will squeeze the whole QWERTY layout into a single line of letters, where this is an attempt to help solve the issue of limited viewing area on smartphone devices. Of course, I don’t think that this is an issue if you so happen to own one of the larger screen devices like phablets and the like, but not everyone would want to carry a serving tray in their pockets. Minuum intends to make use of advances in predictive text typing so that it will enhance your productivity. How will it perform? Only time will tell, so let us wait and see.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Acer Liquid E2 Smartphone Announced, MetroPCS Shareholders Give T-Mobile Merger Their Blessing To Go Ahead, 
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Apr 23
We joke that Gmail holds the record for the most drawn-out test phase, but Swype comes close: the keyboard replacement has been considered a work in progress on various platforms since before Android devices hit the streets, and well after it started shipping with phones. The developers at Nuance are a little braver as of today, as they’re launching Swype 1.5 for Android without any kind of beta label attached — they really, truly consider it done. Mind you, there won’t be a huge difference versus recent betas. The 1.5 update adds a quick shortcut to Dragon Mobile Assistant for those who have it installed, expands Living Language to 20 dialects, adds two new themes and refines both Smart Touch and Smart Reselect.
It’s where you can get Swype 1.5 that may be the biggest change. For the first time, Swype is launching as a straightforward Google Play download that should support the same easy installs and upgrades as most Android releases. Unfortunately, that also means a price tag for the store edition. Nuance is charging 99 cents on Google Play for a “limited time” before a price increase, so we’ll have to shell out if we want to take the easier path. The beta program remains intact, however — and when Swype is at least temporarily undercutting SwiftKey on pricing, we’d consider spending some cash.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile
Source: Swype
Apr 23
This week a set of developers hoping to create a new way for users to use touchscreen-based keyboards have seem some significant success, finding 873% of their goal met in their first crowdfunded venture. The app environment these developers have presented is “Minuum Keyboard”, one created for Android devices initially, here showing off the entire English alphabet in a single row near the bottom of a smartphone or tablet screen. Having met their Indegogo goal several times over, they’re now headed for a June release for the software in beta.
In an interesting twist to the original goals set out by the group, this project’s development was advanced past it’s first Android confines with a WDK as well. A WDK, or Wearable Development Kit, provides the user with a keyboard for many prospective devices. In the video presentation made by the creators of this project, you’ll see this keyboard typing with 3D motion control too.
The setup for the keyboard in its initial layout comes from the QWERTY setup you’re likely making use of on your notebook, smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer right this minute. Taking these letters and smashing them down into what’s essentially one row instead of three, the space which the keyboard would otherwise have taken up is reduced significantly.
What these developers are studying and banking on is the idea that users will be able to adapt as easily as they have to the simplicity of the layout they’ve created. While like riding a bike, you can get used to typing with such a setup, there’s still a learning curve that’s being dealt with. According to the funds this team has received in support of their development thus far, there are more than enough people out there willing to give Minuum a shot!
Let us know if you’re working with the standard on-screen keyboard on your smartphone or tablet and why. Did you know you were able to change the keyboard on your device before you read this post?
[via Indegogo]
Minuum Android keyboard sparks crowdfund interest with one-row layout is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 23
Deep down, if your iPad really wants to look like a Microsoft Surface RT tablet, Logitech can help make that happen. The company has announced a thin new keyboard case specifically for the second, third, and fourth generation iPad tablets. The case is called the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio.
The case is covered on the outside with a water repellent fabric and the keyboard itself is resistant to spills. It also features a built-in magnetic stand that allows you to prop the tablet up at an angle for comfortable typing. The FabricSkin has embedded magnets to automatically turn off the iPad when you close the cover, and automatically turn it back on when you open the cover.
The keyboard has an internal rechargeable battery that charges using a USB port. It comes multiple colors, including red-orange, black, blue, and yellow.
The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio is available to pre-order right now for $149.99(USD), though it’s unclear exactly when the it will ship.
Apr 23
Logitech’s FabricSkin keyboard folio for iPad will shrug off spills for $149 (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
When Logitech announced keyboard folios for the iPad and iPad Mini less than a month ago, it thought it had all bases covered: keyboard, stand, cover. One important group of people weren’t considered in the design brief, however: so-called spillers, those with an uncanny ability to bring gadgets and beverages together. It’s no wonder, then, that Logitech has been quick to come up with the FabricSkin keyboard folio to cater for this demographic. In addition to the “liquid-repellent FabricSkin surface” that coats the folio, there are a couple of new color schemes to choose from, and the Bluetooth keyboard is now without openings, similar to the Surface Touch Cover, so fluid can’t work its way in between the keys. You’ll be paying a premium for that peace of mind, though, as the FabricSkin folio for the iPad 2 and up (no iPad Mini version), set to launch in May, is now available to pre-order from Logitech for $149 (or £129) — $50 more than the standard cover. Still, if there’s a good chance you’d hydrate a normal folio eventually, the FabricSkin model is almost like getting a replacement at half price. We’ll drink to that.
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets
Source: Logitech (1), (2)
Apr 23
Keyboard cases for the iPad are nothing new, there are plenty of them on the market today. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for new offerings that are either easier-to-use, better looking, or more durable. Logitech has unveiled a new keyboard cover called the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio that brings the style of the Microsoft Surface RT to your iPad.
The keyboard folio is available in multiple colors including Mars Red Orange, Carbon Black, Mystic Blue, and Sunflower Yellow. The design of the new keyboard case protects the iPad on the front and the back with a wraparound design. Logitech equips the device with a magnetic clasp to keep the folio closed when you’re traveling.
The keyboard folio also has an integrated magnetic stand to allow you to prop the screen of your tablet up for comfortable typing or lay it flat depending on your needs. The keyboard section connects to your tablet using Bluetooth and the keyboard is spill resistant. The FabricSkin Keyboard has magnets on the edges near the iPad frame that automatically puts the iPad to sleep when you close the folio and wakes it up when you open the cover.
Power for the rechargeable keyboard comes from an internal rechargeable battery that charges using a USB port. Logitech claims you can get three months of usable battery life on a single full charge. The retail price for the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio is $149.99. You can pre-order the keyboard folio right now but the shipping date is unknown. The case is designed to work with the iPad 2 and third and fourth generation iPad tablets.
[via Logitech]
Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio borrows Surface RT style for iPad is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 19
We believe by 2013, you should know your keyboard exceptionally well. You probably don’t think twice as you’re typing along and most likely don’t look down at your keys throughout the day. But you might want to glance down every so often if you equip your keyboard with this set of comic-book themed keyboard stickers.
The keyboard stickers are sold by Etsy seller Killer Duck Decals and not only places cool-looking comic book stickers on your keyboard’s keys, but each image correlates to the letter it’s being stuck on. For example, the V key has an image of Venom, the B key has the Batman symbol, and L has an image of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Leonardo. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: New Windows 8 Leaked Build 9374 Shows Off Kiosk Mode, MSI AG2712 All-In-One Gaming PC Launched, 
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Apr 17
For those who love typing and receiving both tactile and audio feedback while they bang away at their keys, mechanical keyboards are probably the way to go over their rubber domed, scissor-styled keyboards which offer quieter profiles and softer touches. Now if you’re in the market for a new mechanical keyboard, Cooler Master has unveiled the Quickfire Steam mechanical keyboard which is essentially a more refined version of its Quickfire Rapid mechanical keyboard. Right off the bat, the first thing you will notice is that the lettering and numbering on this keyboard is not immediately visible.
Yup, Cooler Master has taken the letters and numbers commonly found on keyboards and inscribed them at the sides of the keys themselves, meaning that on the surface it would seem like you are facing a blank keyboard. While a bit confusing, this will no doubt appeal to purists/elitists who don’t bother looking at the keys when the type, plus without actually touching the letterings/numberings, it will probably take a while before they start to fade.
Available in Cherry MX red, blue, brown or green (CM Storm exclusive), pricing of the keyboard will begin at $89.99 for the Cherry MX brown, and $104.99 for the Cherry MX green.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Gmail, Google Drive Experiencing Service Disruptions, Intel mSATA 525 Series Review, 
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