Tiki’Labs Virtual Keyboard Takes on Swype

Information about Swype has been known for about a year now. Swype is a system that allows you to glide your finger around a virtual keyboard and each time you change direction it can work out the word you are trying to spell. Tiki'Labs have created a new virtual keyboard called TikiNotes that claims to be faster as well as more efficient than the virtual keyboard Swype.

The TikiNotes keyboard is set out in a 6 key setup where you move your finger around the 6 keys to spell words. By using predictive technology the company claim that the system can predict in 40% of cases the next word to be typed. Where it cannot predict a new word the system requires you hit one of the 6 keys where it can then narrow down to the word you want to type.

Although TikiLabs claim the keyboard is quicker than Swype, there really isn't too much in it to be honest. Looking at the video below you will see it's a bit of a neck and neck race where TikiNotes beats Swype by a second or so. My opinion is that the keyboard you choose will first be based on which you think looks the best, and then secondly on which one works best for you.

The good news is that the TikiLabs virtual keyboard is already available for free as an iPhone app and also as a Windows Mobile app with Android based versions being made available soon.

The download is available via the iTunes store for free (and is part of Tiki'Notes) with more details at the TikiNotes website.