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Swype Virtual Keyboard Beta for Android now supports HVGA

by Simon Walker on 24th Jan 2010 -

Back in December, we reported on the Swype Virtual Keyboard for Android Devices and included installation instructions for you to get the app installed. At that time it would only work on WVGA resolution (800 x 480) devices.

Swype inc. has now released a new beta version of the Swype virtual keyboard for Android that now supports HVGA resolution (480 x 320)  devices.  So all you T-Mobile G1, MyTouch3G and other HVGA screen device owners can check this out.  I’m still not sure if this is a leaked version or an official beta for people to get their hands on, but I’m will be installing and testing Swype for Android on my G1 today.

For those of you who don’t know what Swype is, here’s the official info from the Swype site:

Swype provides a faster and easier way to input text on any screen. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard, the patented technology enables users to input words faster and easier than other data input methods—at over 50 words per minute. The application is designed to work across a variety of devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, virtual screens and more.

Download the beta app here and install it to your Android device for a quick test run.

UPDATE: It appears many people are having problems installing this software on the T-Mobile G1 / HTC Dream.  If you have successfully got this installed, please let us know in the comments.

UPDATE2: We have been asked by Swype to remove the download from our site as it was an unathorized distribution of their software.


About the Author

Simon was an IT consultant for almost 20 years and ran his own web design and development company for another 3. He has been involved with technology from his teenage years. Simon is also an avid Home Theater geek and self appointed installer for all his friends and relatives. His first serious modding of SmartPhones started with his T-Mobile WING and now Android devices.

View Comments

  1. [...] yet on the Android Market for commoners like us to have a go on – but AndroidSpin is hosting the beta, if you want to download the APK direct and put it on your phone for a [...]

  2. Matt
    2010/01/24 at 09:54:50

    Seems like it would be good for one handed operation but two handed typing is faster on a normal keyboard IMO.

  3. savethechicken
    2010/01/24 at 10:32:26

    Anyone getting this to install? I keep getting an error that it could not be install on this phone. I’m running WG ROM not sure is that is it.

  4. BigHeat
    2010/01/24 at 10:33:14

    FYI – Tried to install on the G1, but it tells me “Swype could not be installed on this phone.” (Running SuperD 1.6.)

  5. Richard
    2010/01/24 at 10:43:58

    Thus is not from swype someone from xda released this which is a modifiedversion leaked beta.this will not install onto your phone. it says this applicationcannot be installed on this phone.

  6. Patrick O'Leary
    2010/01/24 at 10:57:16

    Installed fine, after some packages.xml editing to remove traces of my earlier Swype experiments. Using TheOfficial AOSP on a myTouch 3G. The APK is missing a resource (beep.wav) so unless you turn sounds off, it’ll FC quite frequently.

  7. Simon Walker
    2010/01/24 at 11:09:04

    I have a feeling that this won’t install on the G1. I’ve tried on 2.1 ROMs and 1.5 ROMs and keep the same error. “Cannot install”.
    Some people have it running on the MyTouch3G.
    Has anybody got it running on a G1 ?

  8. Patrick O'Leary
    2010/01/24 at 11:11:02

    Simon–can you try to adb install it? You get a more useful error message (a specific string) if you do that rather than installing from the phone.

    • David G. Friedman
      2010/01/24 at 13:18:55

      Here is my G1 related ADB Error:
      1217 KB/s (2048983 bytes in 1.643s)
      pkg: /data/local/tmp/signed-swypetest_2.apk
      Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]

      I think this is the relevant logcat related output:

      D/AndroidRuntime( 3659):
      D/AndroidRuntime( 3659): >>>>>>>>>>>>>> AndroidRuntime START <<<<<<<<<<<<<<
      D/AndroidRuntime( 3659): CheckJNI is ON
      D/AndroidRuntime( 3659): — registering native functions —
      D/PackageParser( 160): Scanning package: /data/app/vmdl12580.tmp
      W/PackageParser( 160): Exception reading /data/app/vmdl12580.tmp
      W/PackageParser( 160): java.lang.SecurityException: META-INF/SWYPE-AN.SF has invalid digest for assets/files/Spanish-full.htm in /data/app/vmdl12580.tmp
      W/PackageParser( 160): at java.util.jar.JarVerifier.verifyCertificate(JarVerifier.java:370)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at java.util.jar.JarVerifier.readCertificates(JarVerifier.java:273)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at java.util.jar.JarFile.getInputStream(JarFile.java:416)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.content.pm.PackageParser.loadCertificates(PackageParser.java:317)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.content.pm.PackageParser.collectCertificates(PackageParser.java:479)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService.installPackageLI(PackageManagerService.java:4197)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService.access$1700(PackageManagerService.java:108)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService$5.run(PackageManagerService.java:3689)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:587)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:123)
      W/PackageParser( 160): at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.java:60)
      D/AndroidRuntime( 3659): Shutting down VM
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): DestroyJavaVM waiting for non-daemon threads to exit
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): DestroyJavaVM shutting VM down
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): HeapWorker thread shutting down
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): HeapWorker thread has shut down
      D/jdwp ( 3659): JDWP shutting down net…
      I/jdwp ( 3659): adbd disconnected
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): VM cleaning up
      E/AndroidRuntime( 3659): ERROR: thread attach failed
      D/dalvikvm( 3659): LinearAlloc 0×0 used 626884 of 5242880 (11%)
      D/dalvikvm( 160): GC freed 12209 objects / 865656 bytes in 375ms

      Would it matter that other files are missing such as the listed assets/files/French-full.htm ?

      Additional info: I am running Eclair_2.1-v1.5 G1/MT3G 32B, Release 1.5 db.androidspin.com/android_developer_display.asp?developerid=43

      Regards,
      David

  9. Bill Quinn
    2010/01/24 at 13:03:58

    I tried on a Tmobile G1 through ADB and got this error.

    bill@bill-acer-linux:~/Desktop$ adb install signed-swypetest_2.apk
    1154 KB/s (2048983 bytes in 1.733s)
    pkg: /data/local/tmp/signed-swypetest_2.apk
    Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]

  10. Ali Harara
    2010/01/24 at 13:21:23

    Installed perfectly without a problem, running my hero revolution

  11. JDuverge
    2010/01/24 at 13:42:03

    I was getting the INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION as well, but after resigning the apk myself with the test keys, it installed perfectly over adb on my T-Mobile G1.

  12. JDuverge
    2010/01/24 at 13:46:16

    http://www.4shared.com/file/206272148/a7572f3d/Resigned-Swype.html <- Just in case you don't know how to sign it yourself ;)

    • HK4L
      2010/01/24 at 22:52:46

      thanks didnt think of resigning it, wonder why it didnt spit out a not signed error?

  13. kLyon
    2010/01/24 at 14:32:42

    thanks, JDuverge. It works great. Interesting keyboard; I think I like it.

  14. cb
    2010/01/24 at 15:33:54

    Will this work on nexus one?

  15. David G. Friedman
    2010/01/24 at 16:10:49

    Your resigned jar installed fine. Unfortunately, with the custom ROM (see my first post) I run it results in too many force closes to use Swype. Additionally, I have a LOT of trouble seeing the letters I’m running my fingers over while in portrait mode and am better off using the G1′s keyboard in landscape mode. That’s a pity because I was very excited after seeing the first Swype videos months ago.

    Regards,
    David

    • Patrick O'Leary
      2010/01/24 at 16:42:28

      If you get a ton of FC’s, turn off the audio in Swype settings. The released package is missing a resource (beep.wav) and there’s no handling of the exception when that resource is missing.

  16. Chris
    2010/01/24 at 17:22:19

    Please can we have a ‘proper’ version for Nexus One soon!? It’s a great app but I’m getting fed up of the error message every time my screen changes orientation.

  17. Jorge
    2010/01/24 at 23:11:33

    Installed It On My MT3G… it worked fine… but i used the resigned version… something wrong with the one posted.. it kept given me the error message which displayed.. “application can not be installed”…

  18. Mark M.
    2010/01/24 at 23:31:04

    installed and working perfectly fine on my G1(i’m running Enom’s TheOfficial AOSP ROM)… just had to disable the default Android soft keyboard :-)

  19. Elijah
    2010/01/25 at 00:00:54

    Works great on my unRooted G1. Only two FCs. Happens when I hold backspace down. Much snappier than standard keyboard…even more accurate…which is insane!!!!

  20. rac
    2010/01/25 at 04:20:50

    Works good on Hero with stock 1.5 ROM

    Just missing a german dictionary but works great with english writing

  21. Orlando
    2010/01/25 at 07:55:31

    Cant get this to run on my Cliq.

  22. Mark
    2010/01/25 at 09:17:42

    Installed the hosted file on my Sprint Hero and it is working fine. Was having force close issues if I held down the back space key but the hint too turn off sound feedback in settings resolved the problem. I am using it to enter this reply.

  23. Kmobs
    2010/01/25 at 10:10:06

    Hey guys, contact me on twitter (@Kmobs). This is actually my work :) I also fixed the issues people had.. again just contact me and I’ll give you all the updated details.

  24. The Swype Team
    2010/01/25 at 11:59:21

    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 http://www.swype.com 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.

  25. Pirate!!!
    2010/01/26 at 16:23:15

    Can anyone say… ThePirateBay???????

  26. billquinn1
    2010/01/27 at 14:49:26

    Dear Swype Team,
    Thank you for clearing up the situation with your closed source software. I will remove it from my device immediately. I, and many of the people in the android community, do not choose to use closed source projects. I applaud your efforts for the past 7 years (please!) to produce a product for the windows mobile world, they need your help.
    I would be more than happy to purchase your product if you choose the FOSS path and make it available on the Android platform.

    Thank you,
    billquinn1

    • Super S
      2010/01/29 at 02:29:35

      Dear Swype Team,

      I completely agree with billquinn1. I will remove this from my device as well as I support everything that you are doing.

      Thank you for being polite with your request.

      Super S

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