New Android Keyboard Downloadable as an App - Olmec Skip to main content

New Android Keyboard Downloadable as an App

By June 5, 2013March 6th, 2023Technology News

The Google Keyboard may not have all of the interesting features that some smartphone keyboards have (like Swype), but it’s still an exceptional new application worth downloading to your mobile (and not so mobile) devices.

The best thing about the Google Keyboard is that it’s 100% free, which is something that many competitors have not been able to offer up to this point. Secondly, “Gesture Typing” has been made available for free as well, which is as close to Swype as you can get. You simply drag your finger from one letter to the next to spell words. Auto-complete, voice-recognition, support in over 25 languages and NEXT-word suggestions are a few of the interesting features that come with this free app.

However, there is one catch: unless you have a device that has Android 4.0 or above (nicknamed “Ice Cream Sandwich” and “Jelly Bean”), you can’t use this app. While the transition to the newer versions of Android continues, a little under half of the devices still being used by Android users run Gingerbread, a former version of Android technology.

Still, Google has been a gentleman about the entire situation, and has mentioned some of their favorite app keyboards that actually aren’t Google powered at all, including SwiiftKey and TouchPal. Perhaps Google is simply trying to enhance the experience that their stock Android system provides, and isn’t actually attempting to compete with other companies that make on-screen keyboards.

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.