Flex T9

SamuraiBigEd · February 23rd, 2011, 08:44 PM

Is anybody else using Flex T9 from Nuance? I have posted about it in a couple of other threads but it doesn't seem to get any response.

Frankly, this is hands down better than Swype, with which I ended up typing out more than swyping. I use the gesture typing almost exclusively with Flex T9. The recognition seems to be much better out of the box.

The other feature that is totally awesome is voice recognition using Dragon Naturally Speaking software, which is the best on the market. Google's voice transcription has always left a lot to be desired, so much so I quit using it entirely, but this works so well that I find my self using it many times a day.

Yes, this program costs, but it has been an investment that is well worth the money. Anybody who uses either of the other programs should really check it out.

Katmeat · February 24th, 2011, 05:34 AM

I wholeheartedly agree that this software is worth every cent of the price. I have tried all the keyboards, and this is by far the best of all worlds. It is like a combination swype/vlingo keyboard, but better than both.

icecold · February 28th, 2011, 03:16 PM

I was using Shapewriter before, but it wasn't readily available after Nuance purchased the company. So, I was switching between Swype and Shapewriter.

After I saw that Nuance finally released the keyboard app, I tried it out.

So far, I have been impressed with it. Sure, there are some things Swype does better (mainly being able to go through a period or comma directly to the space being the one thing), but all in all I prefer Flex T9.

Pros
- Faster than swype
- More auto correct selections, verus 8 on swype
- Multiple input methods in one package
- File size is smaller than Swype (huge pro since I have a Moto Droid 1)
- Visually cleaner than Swype

Cons
- Inability to add words to a custom dictionary (none that I have found anyhow)
- Puncuation is not as fluid as with Swype.
- Swype may be slightly better with word prediction
- If tapping to enter a word, Flex T9 sometimes auto corrects without confirmation from the user.

SamuraiBigEd · February 28th, 2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecold

Cons
- Inability to add words to a custom dictionary (none that I have found anyhow)
- Puncuation is not as fluid as with Swype.
- Swype may be slightly better with word prediction
- If tapping to enter a word, Flex T9 sometimes auto corrects without confirmation from the user.

I believe it automatically adds words if you select them from the list because it now recognizes words it didn't before for me.

I don't seem to have any problems with punctuation, on either.

I have to disagree about word prediction, I have had a lot of very complex words show up with Flex that never did in Swype.

I agree about the auto correct without input, that is my only complaint so far.

pstott · March 6th, 2011, 10:17 PM

I have just installed Flex T9 because I wanted an application I could actually dictate paragraphs to, for future use in reports, using QuickOffice. But the program seems to quit receiving dictation after less than a minute. To restart it, to continue editing, it seems I have to quit QuickOffice, and then reopen the document. If it was intended only for short dictation, it would have been useful to know!

SamuraiBigEd · March 7th, 2011, 06:31 AM

Try using Documents To Go. There is definitely a problem there, it may be with Quick Office, this is basically Dragon Naturally Speaking so it should work as long as you want it to.

tube517 · May 14th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Flex T9 is free today as the Amazon app of the day. Best keyboard IMHO

skywriter · May 15th, 2011, 01:42 PM

If you go to FlexT9 settings>Language & keyboard (press) . Note - Flex T9 Text Input settings (press) You will then be able to enter FlexT9 Help menu. In the guide you will see under "Feature Overview" instruction for user added words. The ability to add words to dictionary instructs are there. Hope you find this helpful.

SlvrScoobie · August 3rd, 2011, 08:22 PM

Is there a way to delete some words? I love it, but I find that some simple words it totally misses and doesnt even offer it as a suggestion.

skywriter · August 4th, 2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlvrScoobie

Is there a way to delete some words? I love it, but I find that some simple words it totally misses and doesnt even offer it as a suggestion.

If you type the word/s you wish to delete in say your text messaging app, highlight it and hold you will be able to delete it from your dictionary. have switched from the flex 9 so it's been awhile since I've used it, but I believe this will work. I'm now using swift keyboard because I like the voice recognition better.

Darkeligos · August 6th, 2011, 03:39 AM

I just wish I didn't have to hold down a button for 10 minutes before I get access to alt symbols/numbers.

SamuraiBigEd · August 9th, 2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkeligos

I just wish I didn't have to hold down a button for 10 minutes before I get access to alt symbols/numbers.

Must be a conflict with your device or another app, it opens right up on mine. Do you have another keybord loaded? Try disabling and or removing it and see if the problem clears up.

kingston73 · August 11th, 2011, 08:20 PM

I have been using swype since I got android, but there've always been some things that annoyed me about it, so in looking at alternatives I found flext9 and love it now. I find it does double letter words much better than swype, and it auto spaces words very well. Plus, I find the keyboard better spaced when typing single letters. Definitely worth the price, highly recommened.

sfocata · August 12th, 2011, 03:26 AM

Just giving it a try now, having been using Swype for a week or two. Although I'm very impressed with Swype, I can't get the hang of some of the more advanced moves (involving punctuation, etc) so end up typing those individually. Therefore, that's not such an issue.

I'm finding that the basic tracing action on Flex T9 is actually better than Swype... not sure if that's because it just happens to be better calibrated to my movements or because the keyboard shape is a little clearer. The handwriting recognition thing is good, too (as good as the Sony Ericsson P900 I had years ago) but it's a bit disconcerting how it waits until you've finished the word before displaying it!

Rose4uKy · November 6th, 2011, 05:28 PM

I was trying to find out how to delete wrong words in my flex t 9 list. Can't get words to delete for me someone posted how above. I've been using this since I got it free at Amazon and it's the best. I use the dragon dictation a lot over Google.

SamuraiBigEd · November 7th, 2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose4uKy

I was trying to find out how to delete wrong words in my flex t 9 list. Can't get words to delete for me someone posted how above. I've been using this since I got it free at Amazon and it's the best. I use the dragon dictation a lot over Google.

Not sure on this one, I will have to do some digging or hopefully somebody else has the answer.

maheider · November 29th, 2011, 10:49 AM

I too would love to know how to delete entries erroneously entered into the dictionary. I must have fat fingered, so to speak, several words at some point, such as "Thr" instead of "The". Now, invariably when I try to enter "the", it puts in the mis-spelling instead of the word I intended. It is VERY aggravating to have it choosing a word I don't want in there instead of the correct one, especially for ones really common ones. If someone knows how to get rid of entries please let us all know.

Other gripes I have about the program: the stupid reminder message that comes up to tell you that there is no need to type a space between words if you are inputting things that way. At least on my phone, it puts this message up very regularly, and always right over the area that the text is being entered.

And before you say, "well, don't press space between them", my other gripe is that the program has a tendency to change the selected word unless you enter a space. An example is you "swiped" a word, and it is highlighting the intended word. I want to follow that word with the word "a". When I press the letter "a", the previous word I entered correctly is many times changed to a completely different word. Clicking another "a" will cause it to change once again to some other word. I am sure there is some reason why it is doing that, but I have not been able to figure out what it is doing. So, to get the word "a" after that word I have to press the space, then the "a". A couple times of doing that and the stupid message is displayed that I don't need to do that, but as I explained, if I don't then I don't get the correct previous word.

I wish there was documentation on how to use the program. Like I said, there is no doubt some reason it is changing words when it does, and presumably that is a nice time saving feature, but it sure is not if you can't figure out what the algorithm is that is being used.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

SlvrScoobie · November 29th, 2011, 10:56 AM

I feel like I wrote the above comment. Since i had to get an iphone for work, i went back to the tap-tap-tap method and since switched out my flex-t9 for the thumbs keyboard i bought for my tablet...

Rose4uKy · November 30th, 2011, 12:54 AM

Same thing happens to me. I type a word and see it then it changes to something else and I send the text and it has the typo in it.

murrah · January 8th, 2012, 02:46 PM

Re the previous 3 posts: I have just started using T9 for the first time on my Galaxy II (T9 v 2.0.1.0). I am experiencing none of those problems. I specifically tried to replicate those problems and could not. Everything works really well. There is Help available in the App. Voice recognition is way better than Google or VLingo. Loving it!

SamuraiBigEd · January 8th, 2012, 02:51 PM

If you look at the word bar it will highlight what is going to be put up, select the word you are going for from the list or if it doesn't show type it manually and select. Using this method it will begin to learn your tendencies.

gtishane · January 10th, 2012, 02:31 AM

Hi
I am looking to use a voice recognition on a Acer icona a500 android tablet.
Have you heard anything about how successful the flext9 is? It will be for very heavy usage and for use to work with a word type program ie quickoffice any tips or success stories would be most appreciated.

Rose4uKy · January 10th, 2012, 06:32 AM

I hope it works well on my new Transformer Prime i'm getting tomorrow. I like to speak my emails and text on my phone with it but i do swype with it too.

SamuraiBigEd · January 10th, 2012, 08:57 AM

It did not work with my Transformer when I first got it but I haven't tried since then.

murrah · January 29th, 2012, 11:49 PM

I downloaded this a few weeks ago and absolutely love it! I just went to get a copy onto my partners new phone and it wont download because I live in Australia! So, I rang the Sales Department at Nuance in Australia and was told that it isn't available anywhere now - IT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED!!!!!

The guy was very apologetic and handled it as best he could and clearly it isn't his fault. But .....

WTF???? No online explanation, it is still on their website. What are they doing? Based on my love of this phone I was seriously thinking about getting their Dragon Naturally Speaking to support this great technology and company. I wont bother now. Shame for them. It seems that customers are not important to them. Instead of recommending it (which I was doing) I am now using them as an example of bad customer service to my clients.

Adauth · January 30th, 2012, 12:19 AM

I love the Flex T9 app. Even better I got it from getjar for free. If I ever have to pay for it I would gladly without hesitation.

murrah · January 30th, 2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adauth

I love the Flex T9 app. Even better I got it from getjar for free. If I ever have to pay for it I would gladly without hesitation.

Cant see it there. What's the link?

Rose4uKy · January 30th, 2012, 12:46 AM

I love it too and when I found it free on Amazon and tried it for the 1st time I was like wow I would've gladly paid for this I liked it so much. I think speaking it's better than Google and I use this all the time. I just had an update also and now I see a clear dictionary button which I don't think was there before. Cause I've saved added words and have wanted to delete words and never could but I really didn't want to delete the whole dictionary just certain words I mispelled but oh well guess I'll start over adding words. But this works great on my Transformer Prime tablet I love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adauth

I love the Flex T9 app. Even better I got it from getjar for free. If I ever have to pay for it I would gladly without hesitation.

Adauth · January 30th, 2012, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrah

Cant see it there. What's the link?

Not sure, it was a while ago. If I remember correctly it was in the "gold" app section.

pinappu · February 6th, 2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adauth

Not sure, it was a while ago. If I remember correctly it was in the "gold" app section.

It is a golden app

zaxxaq · February 28th, 2012, 01:28 PM

The last update to flext9 cleared the entire dictionary from my phone! now it doesn't recognize any words at all!

this sux because i paid for the app and cant find a way to re-download the dictionary.

anyone have any ideas?

SamuraiBigEd · February 28th, 2012, 11:05 PM

I have done all the updates and mine still works fine. Is the entire dictionary gone or just the words you have saved? You could try removing and reinstalling the app and see if that fixes the problem.

DesElms · July 31st, 2012, 09:15 PM

...and I may open a whole new thread for this if it's okay with the mods, here, because it's a fairly troubling thing, and so needs a wider audience than this old thread.

FlexT9 is dead. So even if a person paid for it (which we all did), we're screwed. The FlexT9 web page in the Google Play Store still exists; and by it existing, people who've paid for it can get it again if they ever have to reinstall everything on their phone... so, in that sense, we're not quite as screwed as maybe it might seem. However, it's no longer findable via search in the Google Play Store (or in Google, even using the "site:" operator to limit the search to the Google Play Store).

FlexT9's page on the Nuance Mobility site still exists, but it's also both hard to find, and its links to download and whatnot are all dead. There's no mention on it, at this writing, that FlexT9 is dead.

If you go to the Nuance support message form, though, the instant you select "FlexT9" as the product about which you're writing, a pop-up happens in which you're told that FlexT9 is dead, and that there will be no more updates or support for it. Then the message goes on to tell you that FlexT9's successor is the new SWYPE app, which, while still in BETA, is free.

My concerns about all that are summarized nicely in the review of FlexT9 that I just posted on its web page in the Google Play Store, to wit:

Posted by Gregg L. DesElms - August 1, 2012 - Version 2.0.2.0
WARNING! FlexT9 discontinued! Replaced by SWYPE!
I give it five stars because FlexT9 really is the hands-down best Android keyboard app out there. But Nuance (its developer) has discontinued it; and the replacement is the new SWYPE keyboard, which Nuance now owns (it bought the SWYPE company in October 2011). When they were separate companies, lots of people said, in forums and whatnot, to get FlexT9 instead of SWYPE, and they were right because FlexT9 was better. As long as the new SWYPE incorporates everything that was in FlexT9 (and I think it does), then that's fine. Here's the problem, though: For the moment (as of this writing on 31 July 2012) while the new SWYPE is still in BETA, it's free. And so if the new SWYPE is actually a better-than-FlexT9 upgrade, then, fine... free is good. However, why would Nuance purchase SWYPE only to give it away? SWYPE will, no doubt, when it's out of BETA, eventually be paid/commercial, just like FlexT9 was. And that, too, is fine, except that if FlexT9 is discontinued with no further support, then shouldn't paying FlexT9 users get a free upgrade to the new SWYPE? I only purchased FlexT9 six months ago! Need I pay, again, for SWYPE when it's finally out of BETA? Is that really fair? Really?

I think a complaining email campaign to Nuance may be in order. Before we do that, though, lets wait until I hear back from Nuance support pursuant to the support ticket that I just opened wherein I made all of these points... and better, trust me, than they're made here.

Hopefully Nuance will tell me not to worry; that paying FlexT9 customer will get a free (or at least severely-discounted) permanent license for the new Nuance-made SWYPE app; and that those who want to just stick with FlexT9 will always have its page on the Google Play Store where we can download it again if we ever need to reinstall everything on our phones. If Nuance writes back with that kind of information, then I guess maybe it's not such a screwing, after all. Still, though... it just doesn't seem right... especially for those who've not even owned FlexT9 for a year yet!

The only other concern is whether or not I'm actually correct that the new SWYPE app contains everything that the FlexT9 app contained. It certainly appears so; but I wonder if it's really a combination of the best of FlexT9 and the best of SWYPE, or if it's really just an enhanced and repackaged FlexT9 which only calls itself SWYPE (which Nuance gets to do since it bought SWYPE). The SWYPE name is far more well-known, so it's possible that all that's really going on, here, is that FlexT9 (with some enhancements) is now being called SWYPE (even though there's not really much old SWYPE code in it), and so all we old FlexT9 users will still be happy with it.

[sigh] Let's hope that that's it, eh?

Thoughts, anyone? Or does anyone know anything more?

____________________________

SamuraiBigEd · July 31st, 2012, 10:23 PM

Wow Gregg, this is disturbing! I went to Flex T9 because I did not like Swype, if the new offering is more Swype and less Flex then I will be looking elsewhere. Let us hope they are keeping more Flex and just re-branding it.

Please keep us posted.

Mamarosoft · August 4th, 2012, 07:48 AM

I really like Flex T9 more than Swype.

jennstall · August 6th, 2012, 07:46 PM

I love Flex T9. I think if I were forced to abandon it I'd just reinstall Shapewriter which is what I was using before I got Flex T9. I have never liked Swype and it would take significant overall before I'd be inclined to use it.

Corki2 · August 6th, 2012, 07:50 PM

I keep installing others that have themes, etc. and every time I start out typing with one of them, I end up switching back to Flex T9 to finish whatever it was I was typing. I guess that says it all. I do wish it had themes and directional arrows.

TinkerB3ll · August 29th, 2012, 03:28 AM

Re. Using Swype:
As a few people here have commented on issues they've had with Swype I thought I'd try to help.

If you don't wish to see the toast tips you can switch them off in prefs.
Once you have Swiped a word you can choose from the prediction bar to avoid erroneous input.
If you Swype and press space, thereby getting the wrong word you can backspace to the end of the word to see the predictions for that swipe and just touch the correct one. If you're totally unhappy with the auto-correct you can switch it off in prefs.
For those who said there was no help/tutorials for Swype see the prefs again as well as the Swype website and forums.

As for Swype being slow, well that I have to agree on. It does seem to get more laggy with each update. For me personally that is my biggest gripe, along with the now missing "backspace whole word" (I now have to double-tap or use the Swype key to select each word), and missing "home" and "end" keys.

I hope this helps.

IlliniDawg01 · October 3rd, 2012, 06:33 PM

I was planning to buy it when I switched to the Evo 4G LTE which I did recently only to find out that it was discontinued. I have Shapewriter on my OG Evo and loved it. I'm not a fan of Swype to be honest and really think FlexT9 would be perfect for me.

Anyone know where to find the apk ? I have googled extensively with no luck...

Thanks,
DaveJ

SamuraiBigEd · October 3rd, 2012, 07:26 PM

As far as I know it is not available anywhere and it is a paid app so there are ethical and legal concerns.

Corki2 · October 3rd, 2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniDawg01

I was planning to buy it when I switched to the Evo 4G LTE which I did recently only to find out that it was discontinued. I have Shapewriter on my OG Evo and loved it. I'm not a fan of Swype to be honest and really think FlexT9 would be perfect for me.

Anyone know where to find the apk ? I have googled extensively with no luck...

Thanks,
DaveJ

I got it from Amazon App Store.

DesElms · October 3rd, 2012, 07:55 PM

Just FYI, everyone...

I have an entire thread about all this going, now; and most of the questions and concerns made here are addressed there.

SEE: The venerable FlexT9 is dead, its maker maybe leaving paid users hanging

_______________________________

IlliniDawg01 · October 3rd, 2012, 08:11 PM

Well, I did find the .apk installer after continued searching, however the swipe functionality did not work on my Evo LTE for whatever reason. Seems to be a dictionary issue perhaps.

In any case, I figured out that the swype version on my phone was not the latest one and redownloaded it from swype.beta.com and it is better... but still not the same as good old shapewriter.

My main dissappointment comes from not being able to easily change the case of words after you swipe them like in shapewriter. Oh well. Dang my OCD...

DaveJ

Rose4uKy · October 3rd, 2012, 09:58 PM

I had a friend who loved Shapewriter and I used Swype but then Flex T9 came along and I would use it to swype and speak my text and it was the best ever and I told people it was so good I would of bought it had it not been the free app of the day. But now with my EVO 4G LTE and the new google voice I can speak and it's just as good or better as Flex T9 and with HTC trace enabled I am good with that for now. But Flex T9 is still in my list of apps from Amazon and I do use it on my Transformer Prime tablet.

TinkerB3ll · October 4th, 2012, 03:15 AM

I may be recalling this incorrectly (so many keyboards!) but I think that in Swype if you highlight the word (tap Swype key) you can press shift key to show different cases. Also note that in Swype if you swipe above the keyboard after the first letter and then swipe back down and complete the word it will capitalise the word.

SamuraiBigEd · October 4th, 2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniDawg01

Well, I did find the .apk installer after continued searching, however the swipe functionality did not work on my Evo LTE for whatever reason. Seems to be a dictionary issue perhaps.

In any case, I figured out that the swype version on my phone was not the latest one and redownloaded it from swype.beta.com and it is better... but still not the same as good old shapewriter.

My main dissappointment comes from not being able to easily change the case of words after you swipe them like in shapewriter. Oh well. Dang my OCD...

DaveJ

I am using it with the Evo 4G LTE and it works flawlessly. It may be a corrupt apk or a bad installation.

elsonjm · October 5th, 2012, 05:51 PM

I tried to install this on a replaced HTC One X because the original phone had an issue. The new phone works fine, but can't get it to be the primary keyboard. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

SamuraiBigEd · October 5th, 2012, 06:27 PM

Go to settings, language & keyboards, enable flex t9, click on swype and select flex t9.

TinkerB3ll · October 5th, 2012, 06:34 PM

As above. Also ensure your keyboard isn't on external memory. Must be internal to be default.

elsonjm · October 6th, 2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamuraiBigEd

Go to settings, language & keyboards, enable flex t9, click on swype and select flex t9.

I did this initially after download. Again, it doesn't give me the option in an area that can be typed in after a long touch (as such as a select all, copy, paste, ect.) to enable the FlexT9. I have been in the settings and I'm wondering if it is something else somewhere that I either need to enable or turn off with the HTC keyboard. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

elsonjm

AT&T HTC One X