Swype will not be available thru Market???

[Dabrador]

There are a number of threads that discuss how great Swype is (it really is a great product).

I found the file and loaded it on my phone and found it to be a great input method. I decided to do some more research on the product and the company and this is what I found...

In essence, it won't be available as an app. It'll be pushed to the phones through the carriers but only if the carriers want it.

Here's a response from one of their employees:

"That's not exactly what we mean xxxxx, depending on the carrier it may vary on how Sywpe is implemented into the phones. For example, once Swype is out with it's Android platform your carrier may offer a possible upgrade for a sum of money to get Swype on your phone as well. It really all depends on how it plays out in the near future but currently Swype is only available on devices that we are releasing with it already installed."

Why would they pursue this business model? This makes no sense. It appears they have a growing fan base with their product but once it's released to the Android OS, we may not be able to get it.

Anyone else think this is a strange way to launch a program?

 

[meekrab]

Do you realize the amount of money there is to be made if a carrier like verizon decided to implement your product in every android phone they sell?

Not to mention if multiple carriers pick it up.

This strikes me as an excellent business model.

 

[soulesschild]

Screw that, I'm going to be using it all the time regardless if Verizon pushes it out. The "beta" version works just fine so hopefully Verizon will push it out to their Android users. Though I honestly think not having it on the Market is a absurdly stupid idea. If Verizon won't push it out to their customers then they just lost tons of potential customers of droid users if they won't offer it in the market place.

 

[adirdam23]

Where can I get the beta version from?

 

[Zynix]

While I agree with meekrab that it's a good business model, I understand the hard feelings too. The devs probably have multiple reasons for their decision though.

It'll be much easier to support it without having to cover every android phone right off the bat. Once they get a few handsets carrying it, they'll have more experience supporting multiple devices and may release a stand-alone version. Which also opens the door for piracy, so they may be trying to avoid that too.

Also it may be intended as a 'unique interface' that someone may offer, kind of like SenseUI; a selling point for a phone. If you want swype you have to get companyX's phone.

I'm not convinced swype is all that great anyways. Having to do all input with only one digit, and some words requiring you to go back and forth so much (and, socks, soap, etc.) limits its speed. It is neat to show off though, and works pretty well during one-handed use.

 

[meekrab]

While I agree with meekrab that it's a good business model, I understand the hard feelings too. The devs probably have multiple reasons for their decision though.

It'll be much easier to support it without having to cover every android phone right off the bat. Once they get a few handsets carrying it, they'll have more experience supporting multiple devices and may release a stand-alone version. Which also opens the door for piracy, so they may be trying to avoid that too.

Also it may be intended as a 'unique interface' that someone may offer, kind of like SenseUI; a selling point for a phone. If you want swype you have to get companyX's phone.

I'm not convinced swype is all that great anyways. Having to do all input with only one digit, and some words requiring you to go back and forth so much (and, socks, soap, etc.) limits its speed. It is neat to show off though, and works pretty well during one-handed use.

Well said. I'm right there with you on the functionality of swype, though I'm liking it more through time.

If it is unsuccessful in carrier implementation, I have no doubt that it will show up in the market. Even if some carrier gets exclusive rights to it, it will get ported back to the droid in no time (see nexus 1 app installer for droid, senseui for droid, etc.) Either way, don't fear, we'll still likely see the 1.0 release on the droid at some point.

 

[tsaunders]

Where can I get the beta version from?

PM Sent.

 

[NeuroNY]

Gonna have to agree that the business model may be more sound this way. If you partner with carriers or hardware manufacturers, you're guaranteed some sort of royalty per phone (and how many units are sold?). If they put it on the Android market, how many people would pay for it - a few thousand at most? Btw, it looks like the VC arms of Nokia and Samsung just invested in the latest round, so I would think those manufacturers would get priority (e.g., Samsung Omnia II).

As an end user though, I'm pretty bummed, as I'm getting pretty addicted to the interface.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I'd love to see what an officially released Swype would look like.

 

[Zynix]

Like meekrab pointed out, a determined individual will probably be able to get the newest versions shortly after release. Just won't be able to buy it through official channels.

 

[Dabrador]

I guess I'm looking at the business model from a different perspective. From a carrier/handset manufacturer, I have to ask myself...do I need to spend money to get this on the handset? If you're a WM product, then yes, you need it. You're falling behind in the world of smartphones and you need a differentiating element. That's probably why Swype was successful with getting it onto the Omnia II.

If I'm Verizon, why would I want to pay money for this when some other enterprising company could develop a similar product and launch through the Market? With the open nature of Android, I don't see this as a viable business model.

How many of us have downloaded apps to replace the ones native to the Droid? A LOT!

 

[Scottyent]

While I agree with meekrab that it's a good business model, I understand the hard feelings too. The devs probably have multiple reasons for their decision though.

It'll be much easier to support it without having to cover every android phone right off the bat. Once they get a few handsets carrying it, they'll have more experience supporting multiple devices and may release a stand-alone version. Which also opens the door for piracy, so they may be trying to avoid that too.

Also it may be intended as a 'unique interface' that someone may offer, kind of like SenseUI; a selling point for a phone. If you want swype you have to get companyX's phone.

I'm not convinced swype is all that great anyways. Having to do all input with only one digit, and some words requiring you to go back and forth so much (and, socks, soap, etc.) limits its speed. It is neat to show off though, and works pretty well during one-handed use.

definitely well said. I think part of the frustration is the fact that often times people on this website are staying up to date on the latest and greatest, and we install things like leaked copies and beta's. The developers are probably taking it slow, trying their best to ensure perfect implementation on each device, and to grow their fan base at an appropriate rate. Most general consumers don't know what the heck swype is, so they're not getting bad press because the market is clamoring for it. You'd be surprised how many people don't keep on top of technology, for instance, I own a mac, and needed my Snow Leopard install CD yesterday for a HDD upgrade and I misplaced mine, so i had to ask around to me friends...and 90 percent of them didn't even know there was a new operating system as of September last year

We just get stuck in a hard situation because we want the newest, but that often means we adopt before its ready. Swype is going along with their business plan, and I'm sure they know much more information on the financial reasons, so they can make a much more informed decision. With a product turning out to be very popular, I'm sure theyre getting some pretty solid offers from handset makers and carriers, which is holding them back from a wide release. Thankfully, since tech runs so fast, these rollouts...however they happen....hopefully will come soon!