Shape Writing on Tablets: Better Performance or Better Experience?

Abstract

Shape writing is a technology for text input that involves „drawing‟ the desired word with your finger or a stylus in one continuous motion on the virtual keyboard. Swype, initially introduced to smart phones, is a shape writing application that is advertised as being faster than traditional methods of keying on a virtual keyboard. This technology is relatively new to the market, and to date there is little available research on the performance of Swype on smart phones, and none on the even newer tablet devices, such as a Samsung Galaxy Tab. The present study investigated the performance (words per minute/average errors per word) and preference associated with the use of Swype for text input compared to keying on the virtual keyboard. The effect of keyboard sizes within landscape and portrait orientations was also examined. In the current implementation, the keying method did not have the benefit of a prediction algorithm, therefore prediction was turned off for Swype condition as well. No significant difference was found in typing speed between the two input methods, however, an effect of keyboard viewing orientation on typing speed was found. For average errors per word, the only significant effect was an interaction between input method and keyboard viewing orientation. Additionally, Swype was rated significantly better than keying on four out of five preference measures. Findings show that despite Swype not operating at its fullest ability, it performs just as well as keying and provides a better experience for users.