SwiftKey updated to version 3 and packed full of features; developers also announce SwiftKey Healthcare

By Jerry Hildenbrand
last updated

The folks at TouchType have made SwiftKey 3 official, and available today in Google Play. Many of us have been keeping an eye on the beta version, so we know just how well this Android keyboard works and the great features it has. If you're not part of the beta testing group, here's what to expect --

  • Smart Space –  adding to SwiftKey's already cutting edge correction, Smart Space detects mistyped or omitted spaces across strings of poorly typed words in real-time.
  • Two new themes – a new theme, 'Cobalt', to match SwiftKey's new look and feel, and an Ice Cream Sandwich-styled 'Holo' theme, as voted for by SwiftKey's VIP community.
  • An enhanced UI – a much larger space bar and smart punctuation key help improve accuracy and make it quick and easy to access common punctuation.
  • Additional languages – SwiftKey 3 now offers support for an additional seven languages, bringing the total up to 42. The new languages are Korean, Estonian, Farsi, Icelandic, Latvian, Lithuanian and Serbian.
  • A dedicated comma key, and the <123> key in the bottom-left corner.
  • Refined Smart Punctuation pop-up for better, more consistent behaviour.
  • Improved Smart Space functionality for easier email addresses and URL entry.
  • Reduced lag on some devices for a more responsive experience.
  • Reintroduction of the long-press duration setting by popular request.
  • Further improved prediction algorithms for even more accurate next word suggestions.
  • Updated gestures for easier shortcuts.
  • Several bug fixes.

That's quite the impressive change log! SwiftKey has always been a favorite (they won one of our 2011 Editor's Choice awards), and it's amazing prediction engine really does make typing easier. Rich downloadable language dictionaries, combined with personalization through social media and your e-mail make it accurate -- so accurate it's scary sometimes. As a special, the app will be on sale for a limited time for just $1.99. Well worth the two bucks in our opinion.

Speaking of personalization, TouchType has also announced SwiftKey Healthcare, which uses the prediction technology to take faster and more accurate notes on tablet devices. TouchType's initial trials indicate that healthcare professionals will save up to half the amount of time they currently spend typing, and it's a great step into the enterprise space for the SwiftKey team. Hit the break for a short product video and a smattering of screenshots from the new build.

Android apps by TouchType LTD. on Google Play (opens in new tab); More info: SwiftKey

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Jerry Hildenbrand
Jerry Hildenbrand
Senior Editor — Google Ecosystem

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.

40 Comments
  • I bought swiftkey 2 long time ago and all I had to do is install this =)
  • Love the new Holo theme on my Galaxy Nexus. This update pushed me over the edge for making this my default keyboard.
  • It was driving my nuts when the beta expired--the keyboard was fantastic. But now, I can have it all the time! Just replaced my previous keyboard, too. Well done, Swiftkey.
  • I'm glad I purchased this for 99 cents a long time ago because it was well worth it.
  • Then that makes me even happier I got it for 10 cents :D
  • I guess I should mention that I got mine for FREE from Amazon then, shouldn't I?
  • Shoot! I was paid to use it! Just kidding! I was waiting for someone to escalate the bragging further. :-)
  • You would've won
  • +1^
  • Is this a free upgrade to X users or a completely new release that requires re-purchasing?
  • This replaces Swiftkey X.
  • nevermind.....free update from phone, purchase from site probably because I wasn't logged in.
  • I've been running the beta, and I wonder -- will installing the Play Store version carry over my settings, dictionary, etc.? Anybody know?
  • For anyone else wondering, during the setup process after installation, it asks you whether you'd like to uninstall the beta, and informs you that your existing data has already been copied. But it does not appear to work. :-P
  • I'm updating from the Swiftkey beta 3 and it carried all my settings over.
  • still uses the old gingerbread way of doing voice dictation..Maybe one day we will get ICS voice to text.
  • Where do you get that green keyboard from the picture?
  • I believe that's the 'dark' theme.
  • Hopefully those of us who got Swiftkey X free from Amazon when it was the FAOTD get the update soon too! I loved the beta.
  • You do get it. I just checked for updates on Amazon, and it was there.
  • Now if they only added skin support and ported that nice BB10 prediction layout (having the words 'pop up' from the letter is WAY faster than having to look to the top bar)
  • It is also available in the Amazon app store. If you got it as the FAOTD as I did, you do not need to repurchase it.
  • Have you gone to your app list in amazon? It doesn't appear that there is an upgrade option on our Swiftkey X app.
  • No there is not an update for some strange reason. But if you do a search for swiftkey 3 you will see that you can install the full version at no additional charge. Just uninstall swiftkey X
  • They must have fixed something because I saw it in my list of available updates. And applying that update took out the old version automatically.
  • thanks
  • Problem with 'sideloading' app stores like the Amazon one or the Samsung one is that apps receive updates much later than Google Play, if at all (most apps in the Samsung store seldom update at all).
  • How do you get the cursor buttons in the pic above? >, < ^, etc...
  • Go to SwiftKey settings by long-pressing the 123 button, click Theme and check the Arrow Keys box.
  • Hey thanks!! That's pretty cool.
  • Is there any way to remove the popup letter like in SwiftKey X? I just updated through Amazon and I noticed that there's a letter pop up whenever I type in a letter which is not what I want. I remember SwiftKey X didn't have the pop ups and was wondering if there was any way to get rid of them. Thanks!
  • It has a great feature for my S2. By using the custom small key height I can now have the arrow keys on full time. Probably a lot more in this, but I am SO happy about that. My Favourite keyboard by far.
  • Been using the beta for a while. Got this for 10 cents last year on sale. Best deal ever.
  • now if they would only make it so we can change the color of the letters and numbers on the keyboard.
  • Is there a way to remove the annoying keyboard symbol in the notification panel in the top left? drives me nuts but i'm overly picky!
  • i'd like to know this too. i hate that you can't disable android keyboard.
  • Maybe its device specific?
    My SGS2 rooted with custom ROM does not show me the annoying icon in the notification area.
  • Where is the support for Simplified Chinese?! How can it be that this language is still not available with this keyboard? Look at the languages available, it's ridiculous. I really want to use this keyboard, but not if I have to switch to a different one every time I write in Chinese.
  • After updating there is a slight lag for me when I'm typing. Does anyone else have this problem?
  • I <3 Swiftkey.
    Makes me lazy to type on other people's phones that do not have it.
    Actually I take pity on them.
    :)