Press Releases
SWYPE CLOSES $6 MILLION C ROUND, CONTINUES EXPANSION FORECASTING 100 MILLION DEVICES BY 2012
Shipped on nearly 50 percent of all Android devices globally
Seattle – July 12, 2011
Swype today announced that it raised an additional $2.5 million in Series C financing led by existing investors Samsung Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners, Benaroya Capital, DOCOMO Capital and Ignition Partners. This new financing adds to the existing $3.5 million raised in March with Ignition Partners and brings Swype’s total series C to $6 Million. The new funding will only help enhance Swype’s impressive growth with the goal of becoming the default keyboard for all touch-screen devices.
“We see an acceleration of devices shipping with Swype,” said Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype. “We’ve signed 15 OEM partners and have shipped on over 50 million devices in the past 18 months in over 50 countries.”
Swype expects its innovative text input technology to be preloaded on over 100 million devices around the world by the end of this year with its partners. The additional funding will help Swype on its international expansion and will enable it to adapt the technology beyond phones and tablets to additional platforms such as game controllers, TV’s and in-car displays.
The company recently released Swype 3.0, the latest version of its software with new features such as predictive tap and horizontal word choice, along with an optimized design for Android Honeycomb tablets, which features a movable and resizable keyboard. Here’s a video overview of Swype 3.0: http://bit.ly/n6ZMMs.
The company has grown to 80+ employees and recently opened three new offices in North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Korea to supplement their headquarters in Seattle, WA. In addition, Swype was recently recognized by the State of Washington as Emerging Trader of the Year, which is highlighted here: http://bit.ly/pDcai5.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 40 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over five billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over one billion copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information follow us on Twitter @swype.
Swype Releases Revolutionary Thynk
Why Type when you can Thynk?
Seattle – April 1, 2011
Swype announces the release of their revolutionary text input product Thynk™. Envisioning the limited future of feature phones and keyboards in general Swype’s new product enables text input based on thought rather than action.
The technology has been developed by Swype’s team which includes some of the world’s foremost authorities on computational linguistics, natural language processing, and neo-neurogical- emissions. Their research and collaboration has led to the impossibly brilliant Thynk™ product which projects mental constructs into text entry.
“I was very satisfied to see T9 used by billions of people on phones. And I believe that Swype will soon reach the same scale on not only phones, but tablets, TV’s, car displays…pretty much every screen you can imagine,” said Cliff Kushler, Swype CTO. “However, even that vision cannot reach everyone. That’s why we created Thynk™, so that every person who can think, can text.”
Swype’s newest technology pairs the electromagnetic fields and radiation frequencies emitted by both the brain and cellular radios and allows for clear thought interpretation to nearby mobile devices. A preview video can be seen here: View the preview video »
Both the phone manufacturers and traditional mobile carriers are excited by this vision of ubiquitous mental connectivity to ease the text entry requirements on devices. Sources also claim that they are thinking of a major, worldwide launch with the tagline “Thynk Differently” thereby rebranding and fixing the grammatical error in the previously launched, similarly named campaign.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
QUADRIPLEGIC SETS NEW GUINESS WORLD RECORDS® ACHIEVEMENT FOR FASTEST HANDS-FREE TYPING
New Category Set By Quadriplegic Hank Torres Using the New Swype Text Input Solution and the TrackerPro Headpointer at the Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference
Orlando – January 31, 2011
A new Guinness World Records® achievement was set for fastest hands-free typing, achieved by someone who is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Hank Torres set the record last Friday at the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Orlando, Florida using a specialized head tracking device called TrackerPro® and the revolutionary text input system Swype®.
Entering the official Guinness World Records® phrase “The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human,” Torres, who was injured more than 30 years ago in a hang-gliding accident, successfully input the phrase in 83.09 seconds on a computer running Microsoft Windows 7. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator was on-site to verify the record. Click here to view »
"Swype has opened a whole new world of communication for me that was previously tedious or impossible, making a huge difference in my life," said Torres who uses Swype in his daily life to communicate via email, text messaging, and even Facebook®. An engineer by training, Torres has also invented several wheelchair-based solutions for which he has been awarded numerous patents – all of which he wrote using Swype and other assistive technology.
Randy Marsden and Cliff Kushler, the co-founders of Swype Inc., both have a strong background in assistive technology. Marsden, who also invented the TrackerPro headpointer, stated: "For more than 15 years, we’ve been able to provide full mouse pointer control using head pointing for people without the use of their hands – just as fast and efficient as someone using a regular mouse. But it always bothered me that we couldn’t say the same thing for the keyboard. That was the origin of the idea for Swype. And even though Swype is now helping millions of people in the mainstream enter text on smartphones, there is no greater impact than right here where it was originally intended, helping people with disabilities type much faster than ever before."
The Swype technology has found huge success amongst mainstream users on touchscreen devices. In the past 12 months alone, it has been licensed by leading global manufactures including Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, LG, and nearly a dozen others, and is shipping on millions of devices.
Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype Inc., also present at the event commented, "We are proud of our origins in assistive technology and couldn’t be more delighted to see Swype having such a impact in the lives of people with disabilities."
David Dikter, CEO of ATIA, said, "Swype is a great example of one of the myriad assistive technology solutions that can level the playing field for people with disabilities."
Starting today and running through April 30, 2011, a free beta copy of Swype software will be included with every TrackerPro purchased from AbleNet, an international leader in assistive technologies and curriculum for special education classrooms. "We're excited to be able to offer Swype technology along with TrackerPro," said AbleNet CEO Jennifer Thalhuber. "It unlocks the abilities for persons with physical disabilities to more quickly communicate and express their ideas through typing."
Daniel Hubbell is an Accessibility Technical Evangelist for Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing division and also sits on the board of the Assistive Technology Industry Association.""When we learned about the event, we couldn't wait to be a part of it. This is an excellent example of how technology enables people to realize their full potential, regardless of their abilities," said Hubbell.
Setting world records is nothing new for Swype; the record for fastest text message on a touchscreen phone was broke twice in 2010 – both times using Swype on a Samsung device.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About FierceWireless
AbleNet is an international company and industry leader in providing educational and technical solutions to help children and adults with disabilities lead productive and fulfilled lives. This includes a complete line of communication aids for nonverbal individuals; access aids, such as switches and wheelchair mounting devices for people who require physical supports; and special education classroom curriculum and software that both enhance and help ensure learning progress. The products are represented in more than 60 countries and used in hundreds of thousands of classrooms in the United States and across the globe. AbleNet is an ESOP company located in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information visit www.ablenetinc.com.
FierceWireless Names Swype as one of Its "Fierce 15" Wireless Companies of 2010
Swype on Leading Edge of Wireless Technology
Seattle– May 18, 2010
Swype announced today that it has been named to the annual FierceWireless “Fierce 15” list, designating it as one of the top wireless companies of the year. FierceWireless editors evaluated hundreds of organizations, and found Swype to be amongst the “fiercest,” proven by their creativity and innovations in the marketplace.
Swype’s cutting edge technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens and is designed to work across a variety of devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, virtual screens and more. Created by Cliff Kushler, the inventor of T9 text input software, Swype currently supports over 30 languages and its adaptive function allows it to learn new words, phone numbers and more data unique to its owner.
FierceWireless, an internationally recognized daily email newsletter reaching more than 72,000 senior wireless industry executives, provides executives in over 100 countries with a quick, authoritative briefing on the day's top wireless stories, including new trends and technologies.
“Finally a new solution to an age-old problem – entering text on a cell phone. Swype’s predictive algorithm technology anticipates what a user is typing and helps speed the process,” said Sue Marek, Editor-in-Chief of FierceWireless.
“We are honored to be recognized by FierceWireless as a Fierce 15 company,” said Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype. “Since our debut in the fall of 2008, we’ve had amazing response to our technology and we’re looking forward to launching on additional devices and handsets both in the US and abroad with our biggest year yet to come.”
The FierceWireless “Fierce 15” celebrates the spirit of being “fierce” – championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. The complete list of winning companies is available on the FierceWireless Web site at www.fiercewireless.com.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About FierceWireless
FierceMarkets, a leader in B2B e-media, provides information and marketing services in the Telecommunications, Life Sciences, Healthcare, IT, and Finance industries through its portfolio of e-mail newsletters, Web sites, webinars, and live events. Every business day, FierceMarkets' wide array of publications reaches more than 900,000 executives in over 100 countries. Current publications include: FierceBiotech; FierceBiotechIT; FierceBiotech Research; FierceBroadbandWireless; FierceCable; FierceCIO; FierceCIO:TechWatch; FierceComplianceIT; FierceContentManagement; FierceDeveloper; FierceDrugDelivery; FierceEMR; FierceFinance; FierceFinanceIT; FierceGovernmentIT; FierceHealthcare; FierceHealthIT; FierceHealthFinance; FierceHealthPayer; FierceIPTV; FierceMedicalDevices; FierceMobileContent; FierceMobileHealthcare; FierceMobileIT; FiercePharma; FiercePharma Manufacturing; FierceTelecom; FierceOnlineVideo; FierceVaccines; FierceVoIP; FierceWireless; FierceWireless:Europe; and Hospital Impact.
SAMSUNG MOBILE AND SWYPE SET NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
New record for fastest text message on a touchscreen mobile phone using Swype technology on the Samsung Omnia® II™
March 22 15, 2010
Dallas and Seattle, March 22, 2010 – Swype, an innovative text input technology, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)1, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.2, today announced that they have successfully set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest text message on a touchscreen mobile phone using Swype on the Samsung Omnia® II™.
Using the official phrase of the Guinness World Records® for records related to text messaging, “The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human,” Franklin Page, a recent employee of Swype and resident of Seattle, WA successfully texted the phrase in 35.54 seconds using Swype technology. Page’s time set the record in a brand new category for the fastest text message on a touchscreen mobile phone.
The new Guinness World Record was judged by Stuart Claxton, an official Guinness World Records adjudicator. In conjunction with the new record, Samsung Mobile shot a TV commercial for the Samsung Omnia II featuring Page and Claxton.
“One of the many benefits of the Omnia II is Swype technology, which allows users to enter text faster than ever before,” said Paul Golden, chief marketing officer, Samsung Telecommunications America. “Samsung Mobile is proud to be the first handset manufacturer to bring innovations like Swype to market. We knew that Swype made touchscreen texting faster and easier and setting a new Guinness World Record is an exciting way to show what the technology can really do.”
The Samsung Omnia II, available exclusively with Verizon Wireless, is a full-touch all-in-one smartphone powered by Windows Mobile® 6.5 to keep customers connected to their corporate and personal e-mail accounts and synchronized with their schedules and contacts. The Omnia II’s 3.7-inch widescreen WVGA AMOLED (Wide Video Graphics Array Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) responsive touch screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays on a mobile phone in the United States. The Omnia II’s virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology allows customers to input text faster and easier with one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard.
“As touchscreen mobile devices become increasingly popular with consumers, breaking the Guinness World Record on the Samsung Omnia II is a great way to demonstrate the dramatic speed and accuracy of Swype,” said Mike McSherry CEO of Swype. “Samsung Mobile was the first to offer Swype technology and we look forward to deploying Swype on many more of their devices.”
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. The underlying software provides a high degree of error tolerance making it faster than existing text entry methods as it does not require users to hit each letter accurately. Average users can quickly achieve text input speeds at over 40 words per minute.
For additional information on Guinness World Record for the fastest text message on a touchscreen mobile phone, please visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com. To see the TV commercial, please visit www.YouTube.com/SamsungMobileUSA. For additional information on the Omnia II and Samsung Mobile’s full line-up of handset and accessories, please visit www.samsungusanews.com .
Samsung Mobile is proud to provide ENERGY STAR-qualified power adapters with its mobile phones and accessories. ENERGY STAR qualified products use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Q1-Q4 2009 and Q3 and Q4 2008 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com .
About Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information,please visit www.samsung.com
SWYPE CONTINUES ITS EXPANSION, SECURES ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION IN FUNDING LED BY DOCOMO CAPITAL
Industry veterans Rob Burgess and Ross Bott Join Board of Directors
February 15, 2010
Barcelona – Mobile World Congress – February 15, 2010 – Swype, an innovative text input technology, today announced it raised $1 million in series B extension funding led by DOCOMO Capital, Inc., bringing the company’s combined series B funding to $6.6 million. Joining Nokia Growth Partners and Samsung Ventures, DOCOMO Capital’s support reinforces the confidence placed in Swype’s innovative technology by leading carriers and device manufacturers around the world. The new funding will allow the company to focus on expanding Swype’s global footprint, broadening its language support and launching the technology across multiple platforms and devices.
"As we look to deploy Swype internationally, NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator, makes a great strategic partner in introducing Swype to the Japanese and Asian markets," said Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype. "Along with Nokia Growth Partners and Samsung Ventures, DOCOMO Capital’s support further validates our superior product and technology in the market today."
"Swype’s cutting edge technology is changing the way people communicate on touch-screen devices and with high levels of accuracy," said Tomoya Hemmi, President and CEO of DOCOMO Capital. "With the proliferation of touch-screen devices worldwide, there is tremendous potential for Swype’s technology to revolutionize text input."
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 40 words per minute. Equally important, the underlying software provides a high degree of error tolerance making it easy for first time users to successfully enter text.
Swype also announced the addition of prominent technology visionaries Rob Burgess, former CEO of Macromedia and Ross Bott, CEO of SEVEN to its board of directors.
• Rob Burgess is the former CEO of Macromedia where he led the company for over 10 years prior to its sale to Adobe Systems. During his tenure as chairman and CEO of Macromedia, Flash became the most pervasive multimedia platform in the digital world available on 98% of browsers worldwide. Rob remains on the board of Adobe Systems.
• Ross Bott is the CEO of SEVEN, a leading supplier of messaging and push applications and infrastructure for wireless carriers and handset OEMs. Previously, he served as CEO of Onebox, COO of Phone.com and held senior executive positions at Adobe, Openwave, Silicon Graphics, and other companies.
Swype currently supports 30 languages and is developing a Japanese version for release later this year. Swype is designed to work across a variety of operating systems and devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, and GPS units among others.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About DOCOMO Capital
DOCOMO Capital, Inc. is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of NTT DOCOMO, INC. (NYSE:DCM), the leading mobile operator based in Japan. Working closely with NTT DOCOMO’s business and R&D divisions, DOCOMO Capital is in charge of NTT DOCOMO’s strategic investments in mobile communications related start-up companies mainly in the United States. For further information, visit: www.docomo-capital.com
SWYPE’S INNOVATIVE TEXT INPUT TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATED INTO T-MOBILE USA PRODUCTS
Swype Expands to Android™ platform with new T-Mobile® myTouch® 3G
February 10, 2010
Seattle, WA – Swype, an innovative text input technology, and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the integration of Swype’s intuitive text input solution into T-Mobile touch screen devices, starting with the new version of the popular T-Mobile myTouch 3G, the company’s latest Android-powered device, which is available beginning today. T-Mobile also plans to integrate Swype into a number of future devices including the HTC HD2, an upcoming Windows Mobile® Phone from T-Mobile, which is expected to be available this spring.
"T-Mobile has always been on the forefront of introducing new devices and ground breaking technologies and now has embraced Swype’s stunningly responsive text input for its touch screen lineup," said Mike McSherry, CEO, Swype. "Launching on the Android platform is a major milestone for Swype as we continue to expand to new touch screen devices and platforms."
George Harrison, vice president, marketing product innovation, T-Mobile USA said, "Consumers have been vocal in their demand for a more intuitive and efficient way to use a virtual keyboard on touch screen devices. As T-Mobile continues to drive innovation for the benefit of our customers, the addition of Swype to T-Mobile products places our customers at the forefront of this new solution."
Swype’s software allows for a high degree of error tolerance and provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch screens. The touch screen market for mobile phones continues to grow rapidly in the US and Swype is poised to revolutionize this space with its ease of use and intuitive technology across multiple platforms.
Swype is designed to work across a variety of operating systems and devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, televisions, and GPS units among others. Its impressive multi-lingual vocabulary currently supports over 30 languages and Swype’s adaptive function allows it to learn new words, phone numbers and more data unique to its owner.
myTouch is a registered trademark of T-Mobile USA. Google and Android are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the third quarter of 2009, almost 151 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.4 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world’s most widely used digital wireless standards. T-Mobile’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.
SWYPE SECURES $5.6 MILLION IN SERIES B VENTURE FUNDING
Innovative Text Input Company Backed by Benaroya Capital, Nokia Growth Partners and Samsung Ventures
December 15, 2009
Seattle, WA – Swype, an innovative text input technology, today announced that it has secured $5.6 million in Series B financing led by Nokia Growth Partners, Samsung Ventures, and returning investor Benaroya Capital. The infusion will be used to further fuel Swype’s partnerships integrating Swype technology into more mobile handsets and ultimately expand to other touch and remote screen devices.
"The level of confidence shown by investors in our Series B, especially coming from two of the largest device manufacturers in the world and a returning investor, demonstrates the viability of our product and the known added value it can bring to mobile devices," said Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype. "We’re thrilled with these strategic partners and look forward to launching Swype on a number of new devices and platforms."
John Gardner, partner at Nokia Growth Partners said "UI technology is a key part of our view of the growing mobile market. We are delighted to participate in this round of funding for Swype, enabling them to bring their cutting-edge technology to more mobile and touch-screen devices."
Swype’s intuitive and patented new technology which provides a faster way to input text on touchscreens, recently launched on its first consumer device, the Samsung Omnia II.
"We are excited about the significant potential associated with Swype’s innovative technology," said Brian Kang, Managing Director at Samsung Ventures America. "We believe that Swype is playing a leadership role in the evolution of mobile user interfaces and is providing an exciting breakthrough technology that can be implemented in a variety of ways."
Swype is faster than existing text entry methods because it has built-in intelligence that doesn’t require users to hit each letter accurately. Swype is designed to work across a variety of operating systems and devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, and GPS units among others.
John Carleton, Managing Director at Benaroya Capital said, "We are pleased to continue our support of the Swype team as they enter the consumer marketplace. The company continues to meet, and exceed, its milestones and is deploying a truly game changing technology.
About Swype
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over 4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden, developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows. For more information visit: www.swypeinc.com
About Nokia Growth Partners
Nokia Growth Partners is a leading global growth stage venture firm focused on mobile technology, services and media. Nokia Growth Partners is funded by Nokia to provide superior returns and investments into companies, firms, and people that are changing the face of mobility, communications, and the internet. Nokia Growth Partners works closely with the promising companies adding value through deep domain expertise and network in the mobility market combined with many years of venture investment experience. Nokia Growth Partners offers companies in which it invests a global engagement model through its presence in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information visit: www.nokiagrowthpartners.com
About Samsung Ventures America
Samsung Ventures America (SVA) is the US operation of Samsung Venture Investment Corporation (SVIC), the venture capital arm of the Samsung Group. SVA and SVIC collectively manage over $400 million, tracking closely to the strategic priorities of Samsung Electronics’ and other Group companies’ core operating divisions, and encompassing investments in semiconductors, displays, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. For more information visit: www.samsungventures.com.
About Benaroya Capitol
Benaroya Capital Company has been an active early-stage investor in Pacific Northwest technology companies since its inception in 1995, with a focus on imbedded mobile applications and SaaS technologies. Its $40 million portfolio is managed by John T. Carleton (johnc@benaroya.com. Representative investments are Tegic Communications, Cequint, and Swype in mobile, and Avalara, AdmitOne Security and Veratect in SaaS. For more information visit: www.benaroya.com.
SWYPE IS READY TO REVOLUTIONIZE TOUCH SCREEN TEXT INPUT
ANNOUNCES FIRST CONSUMER OFFERING ON SAMSUNG OMNIA® II™
Launches on Samsung Omnia II on December 2
December 1, 2009
Seattle, WA – Swype, an innovative text input technology, today announced its first consumer launch on one of the hottest smartphones set to hit the market, the Samsung Omnia® II™. Swype is a cutting edge new application featured exclusively on the Samsung Omnia II.
Swype’s patented technology provides a faster and more intuitive way to input text on touch-screens. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the keyboard, users can enter text at over 30 words per minute. Equally important, the underlying software provides a high degree of error tolerance making it easy for first time users to successfully enter text.
"We’re very excited to launch Swype on the Samsung Omnia II, a leading edge device with a responsive and vibrant screen, perfect for Swype input," said Mike McSherry, CEO of Swype."With the growing popularity of touch-screen devices spanning across a variety of consumer products, the potential for Swype’s technology is extremely good."
"With the Omnia series, we bring the most innovative, new technologies and features to our customers and we are thrilled the Omnia II will be the first handset to introduce Swype in the U.S. market," said Gavin Kim, vice president, content, data services & enterprise mobility, Samsung Telecommunications America. "The Omnia II's user interface has been customized to provide touch-optimized usability making Swype the ideal application for touch screen text input."
Created by Cliff Kushler, co-inventor of the T9 predictive text technology, which is currently used on over 4 billion mobile phones worldwide, Swype is set to again revolutionize the way users communicate via text input. With a database of over 65,000 of the most frequently used words, Swype’s adaptive function also allows it to regularly learn new words, phrases, phone numbers and more data unique to its owner. Swype is designed to work across a variety of operating systems and devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, and GPS units among others.
About Swype
Swype was developed by experts in computing and mobile phone text input technologies. Cliff Kushler, founder and CTO, is a co-inventor of the T9 text input software installed on over4 billion mobile phones. Co-founder Randy Marsden developed the on-screen keyboard software that has shipped on over 500 million copies of Microsoft Windows.