Fleksy

Fleksy is a third party virtual keyboard extension and input method for touchscreen devices, which attempts to improve traditional tap-typing input speed and accuracy through enhanced auto-correct and gesture control. It uses error-correcting algorithms that analyze the region where the user touches the keyboard and feeds this through a language model, which calculates and identifies the intended word. Swiping gestures are used to control common functions, such as space, delete, and word correction. Blind and visually impaired users have utilized Fleksy for eyes-free typing through muscle memory.^[1] It was first commercially available on the iPhone as a download from Apple's App Store in July 2012.^[2]

Fleksy was developed by Fleksy Inc., a company founded in 2011.^[3] On June 15, 2016, Fleksy announced that they were purchased by Pinterest.^[4] With the last update in April 2016, Fleksy has been declared abanonded by its developers and released open source.

Software

Fleksy’s auto-correct algorithm functions by combining analysis of user typing patterns and linguistic context. Analysis of tap locations (rather than letters selected) affords it the ability to remain tolerant of drifting errors and allows the user to type on an invisible keyboard or even off the keyboard in some instances.^[5] As a result, Fleksy has been embraced by the visually-impaired community.^[6][7][8][9] Most notably, the software has been considered for the "Story of the Year" of the Technology Year in Review for 2012 by the American Foundation for the Blind.^[10]

There is evidence that the software could potentially allow sighted people to blind-type on a touchscreen. Quentin Stafford-Fraser said on his website: "I found I could type whole sentences immediately, without looking at the keyboard".^[11]

Fleksy is limited to word corrections and does not offer next word predictions, as found in competitors, such as Swype, SwiftKey and other keyboards.

Fleksy also utilizes a gesture-based interface that can be used for some common functions, such space, backspace, and choosing a word correction. The gesture system has elicited a mixed response, with criticism centered around the learning curve created for many users.

Availability

Fleksy is available on Android, iOS and Samsung Gear smartwatches. Due to limitations in iOS versions 7 and prior, the keyboard could not replace the system-wide keyboard,^[12] therefore minimizing the utility of the software. iOS 8 has since lifted this restriction.^[13] In December 2013, a first set of four iOS applications that use the Fleksy SDK were released.^[14] A beta was launched for Android in January 2013.^[15][16]

Fleksy is available on certain platforms in 40 languages and QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK, and Colemak layouts.

Awards

Fleksy has received a number of awards since its release in July 2012:

• Officially broke Guinness World Record for fastest touch-screen text message in May 2014^[17]
• South by Southwest Interactive Accelerator 2013 Winner^[18]
• Apple's Best Of App Store 2012^[19]
• CES 2013 Innovation honoree ^[20]
• Qualcomm QPrize finalist^[21]
• Royal National Institute of Blind People, app of the month for August 2012^[22]
• Golden Apple Award ^[23]

Competitors

Competitors include Swype, SwiftKey Flow, SwipeIt, SlideIT, TouchPal, Adaptxt, ShapeWriter, Multiling O Keyboard, Sony Gesture Input, and Android 4.2 Gesture typing, all of which also involve tracing a path over letters on a virtual keyboard. A little different approach yet still similar in concept is found in MessagEase and Minuum.

Keyboards with optional tracing mode include HTC Touch Input, and Ultra Keyboard for Android.

References