Earlier this week, we showcased Swype for iOS, a new jailbreak that greatly increases typing speed on iOS devices. Back when we first previewed the tweak, it had several caveats, such as low accuracy and other bugs. Swype has now been updated to address those issues and make the port feel more like the original Android version.
Beta 2 of Swype includes a feature that many users of the original Swype have been hoping for: the blue swipe tracer line. While typing (or rather, moving the finger across the virtual keyboard), your finger will now leave behind a blue line. This makes keeping track of the word you’re typing a lot easier, as you’ll be able to tell from the video below:
As you can tell from the video above, Swype makes typing a whole lot faster, since users aren’t forced to lift their finger as often and therefore coordinate their movements better. While it might take a while to get used to, typing times should greatly improve over time using Swype as opposed to traditional methods.
In just a few days, Swype for iOS went from a somewhat disruptive tweak to a fairly usable one. If development remains at this pace, Swype might become just as appealing as the official Android version.
The official version of Swype is developed by Swype, Inc., which is no way affiliated with the iOS version we’re showcasing today, despite sharing much of the feature set. Available for Windows Mobile-based handsets, and later the Android operating system, Swype is a patented technology many iOS users have been waiting to get their hands on.
You can follow our step by step guide to jailbreak your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on iOS 4.3.3 using Redsn0w, PwnageTool, Sn0wbreeze or JailbreakMe (that last one being the easiest). If you’re already using iOS 5 beta, you can jailbreak it using tools like Redsn0w (for Mac and Windows), or Sn0wbreeze. As with any non-Apple-approved modification, it’s recommended that you have basic skills on how to restore your device in case the process fails.
Whether you’re new to Swype or are using the old version, you can install Beta 2 using Cydia. If you’re setting up Swype for the first time, add the following repository to Cydia: wynd.x10.mx/repo.
(kudos to @j_bennett_ for the tip)
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