Nokia, Samsung invest in Swype's texting method
updated 05:10 pm EST, Tue December 15, 2009
Nokia, Samsung invest in Swype texting method
Swype, a Seattle-based company that has developed a new, faster way of texting on touchscreen devices, has just secured a second round of funding from Nokia, Samsung and an older investor, Benaroya Capital. The technology involves swiping a finger across a virtual keyboard rather than hitting each key individually, with software that will predict the indented word based on the finger's motion and any pauses or changes of direction. The technology has thus far only appeared on the Samsung Omnia II handset.
While the Omnia II is a Windows Mobile phone, Swype can also be loaded onto Android devices, but the company has even bigger plans for its technology. With its investment, Nokia is also likely to bring Swype to its handsets, and Swype hopes to make it available on other types of devices, including GPS units, TVs, game consoles and tablet PCs.
The latest investment of $5.6 million should help Swype attain its goals, as it initially raised $1.7 million for the development of its technology. [via MoCoNews]
