There are many keyboard replacements available for Android these days, most of which are much better than the stock Android keyboard. We now have a new entrant to add to the mix, and it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Meet 8Pen, a gesture-based keyboard that looks to have quite the learning curve, but is very intriguing.
So why do we need another keyboard? Why not? As of right now, the best soft KB I’ve seen for Android is on the Droid X, followed by Swype. 8Pen is aligned in a X shape, and requires you to move your finger clockwise or counter-clockwise to type. It’s said to be more like physical handwriting, but even after watching the video demonstration of 8Pen, I was still confused. It likely is a much different experience when you have it in front of you, and starting tomorrow it will be available for download.
While many may see a real need to replace their KB on the Android OS right now, what will come of these replacements once Google implements the BlindType tech into their own OS? Google acquired BlindType not too long ago, and the keyboard looks to the absolutely best of its kind. With an auto-correction system that rivals anything we’ve ever seen, we doubt that alternatives will have the luck they once had once the stock KB is updated for Android.
Of course, people will have their preferences, and it won’t be the end of the alternatives. This is Android, and it’s all about choice. The only thing about that is Google will soon have the best choice available, and people will likely flock to it immediately. For now, though, we will definitely be giving 8Pen a try, and see if we can write a word without getting pissed off.
[Update]
You can now download 8pen for your Android phone here.
[Via: Droid-Life]