Swype explains policy behind its distribution

By Phil Nickinson
last updated

There's been a little confusion over Swype, the finger-sliding keyboard that has proven to be quite popular on Android (in unreleased beta form) and on Windows Mobile. The software made its way onto blog posts and forums, gained popularity, and then was quickly pulled. (And, yes, we know some of you were sanctioned in the forums because of it and a little confusion on our part.) Today, Swype explained the reasoning in an AndroidCentral post. Here's an excerpt:

"One might ask why we don't just release it ourselves and save everyone the hassle? The reason is that we have spent seven years building Swype and we want to try to make a living selling our software. Our current business model is OEM licensing. We do plan to get to direct-to-consumer distribution but it is a different sort of business with unique challenges and thus it is hard to say when.So far we have released Swype on the Samsung Omnia II on the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform and we have a number of Android device launches as well as some additional mobile OS launches coming up soon. Because our partners are highly sensitive about their product releases we really cannot say anything further."

We're reposting the entire statement after the break.

Hi everyone,

We would like to provide an update regarding the unauthorized distribution of our Swype software for the Android platform. We realize that many sites are now distributing this software and several are providing installation instructions.

We are glad that you like Swype, but we did not release or leak it for distribution and do not support any downloadable versions . More specifically, any current versions of the Swype software for the Android platform were distributed to business partners or journalists and were done so under Non-Disclosure Agreements or a EULA, and with a time-out feature.

One might ask why we don't just release it ourselves and save everyone the hassle? The reason is that we have spent seven years building Swype and we want to try to make a living selling our software. Our current business model is OEM licensing. We do plan to get to direct-to-consumer distribution but it is a different sort of business with unique challenges and thus it is hard to say when.

So far we have released Swype on the Samsung Omnia II on the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform and we have a number of Android device launches as well as some additional mobile OS launches coming up soon. Because our partners are highly sensitive about their product releases we really cannot say anything further.

Stay tuned at www.swype.com (opens in new tab) and look for a better, more feature complete, and legal version coming soon to a phone near you.

Regards,

The Swype Team

PS. Our lawyer has asked us to remind everyone that Swype does not explicitly or implicitly condone the unauthorized copying and distribution of the Swype software and to inform you that the Swype software is proprietary to Swype, Inc., is the copyrighted work of Swype, Inc., and Swype, Inc. has and always will reserve all of its rights.

Phil Nickinson
Phil Nickinson
8 Comments
  • They shouldn't have called it swipe.
  • im typing this with swype. so when will this app expire? I really like it and will feel lost with out it
  • it's called swype because it's swipe + type
  • I just downloaded Swype online. It works very well!
  • I have shown swype to a few people and they love it. They stand to make more by selling it in the Android Market for a decent price.
  • Swype's strategy makes great sense. With the keyboard being the most important single software app on any smartphone, they can command a premium price from manufacturers. Getting, say, $10 a phone from 100% of those who purchase a phone is far better than getting $20 from 20% of the phone's purchasers. And for those who argue there's a pot of gold in the retail market, how much of the bottom line do you think gets chewed up by providing customer support? A quick review of the various forum threads dealing with Swype's use suggests just what is involved in "customer support." Far better to off load that burden to a phone manufacturer or carrier. Swype is arguably a killer app. As a consumer I regret not being able to purchase it legally for my Droid. As a software professional I can understand their point of view.
  • I installed Swype on my Droid after reading this, and I have one big problem...my fingers aren't transparent. How do you see the position of the keys when three keys will fit under a fingertip? Or aim for a key that's below the one you currently want, which sits behind the rest of your finger? Am I missing something? -D
  • Swype? No thanks It don't works!!!!
    I prefer Dasur SlideIT it works perfectly on my Sony Xperia X1 and on the Htc Diamond 2....I think Swype has some kind of problem to get in to work or maybe is not compatible at all.....they make me laugh when they appear with their video copy like Apple-style Brand and try to shock the world with a new invention when on the markey there is already better product. Please Swype- men do a better job next time. SlideIT Website: http://dasur.co.il/Product/SlideIT/SlideIT.php