Samsung texting record already trumped by iPhone 4 user
updated 07:35 am EDT, Wed August 25, 2010
Samsung Galaxy S beaten by iPhone 4 in text speed
Samsung was dealt a blow today as it lost a text messaging record that had been set just hours earlier to an iPhone 4 user. Salford, UK-based Melissa Thompson had beaten a previous texting record by typing two sentences in 25.94 seconds on a Galaxy S, but El Paso, Texas-based Brian Sweet proved that he had already beaten the record and posted a video (below) as evidence. He typed the message in 21.8 seconds using the stock iPhone 4 keyboard, even after having to start the timer himself and with virtually no use of auto-correction.
Samsung has been a long time holder of the record as it has often preloaded Swype, which lets users draw paths between keys and speeds up typing in some cases. Apple has been helped by having a multi-touch keyboard that can transition quickly between keys, but it relies only on auto-correction to assist typing. The win suggests that the layout and responsiveness of the iPhone 4 keyboard is enough to trump Swype on Android, even with the Galaxy S' four-inch screen and 1GHz processor as help.
Sweet's record hasn't been officially measured, but with video proof could likely be repeated for a formal claim. [via BGR]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
These records have little to do with
average users. It would be better to just grab a couple of dozen texters off the street, let them practice for a while and then have a go at some test for speed and accuracy. I'm willing to bet that most virtual keyboards are about the same and most likely the touch sensitivity of the display will be more important than the keyboard layout. I'm sure Swype is nice for casual users, but direct tap will certainly be faster, in theory.
Those guys that set records could easily have some natural ability to type ultrafast or they've just practiced until their finger's muscle memory became hardwired. Either way, they don't reflect the average user.