Way back in January, I took a look at an app called TouchPal Keyboard. That app reduced the number of keystrokes you needed to type something by 80 percent. In addition, TouchPal Keyboard featured a cool “sliding” input system that was easier to use that standard tapping, as well as predictive contextual autocorrect (correcting your spelling to the most likely word based on context.) I liked TouchPal a lot, but I’m always looking for alternatives to apps I already know and like. That’s why I decided to check out Fleksy.

What is it and what does it do

Main Functionality

Fleksy is an iPhone app that let’s you type, eyes-free. Ideal for the blind, sighted people who don’t want to look at their phones while texting, or people who want a more forgiving autocorrect system.

Pros

• Free app with a stunning design
• Use the app to email, message, Tweet or post on Facebook
• Very simple to type, correct, or add custom words such as names

Cons

• Even with the sound turned down on your phone, a voice tells you whether the phone is in portrait mode or landscape mode, which can be a bit jarring
• There’s definitely an adjustment period to learning to use this app
• Only supports English for the time being

Discussion

Unlike TouchPal Keyboard, you don’t use sliding motions: with Fleksy, you tap each letter (or tap where you think the letter is.) To make a space, you swipe right. To delete, flick your finger to the left. IF you want to edit a word’s spelling or punctuation, swipe down. To add punctuation, slide our finger to the right after making a space.

After you type each word and hit space, you’ll get audio confirmation of what you just typed. This makes this app great for when you’re texting and doing something else that requires your full visual concentration. It’s also great (obviously) for people who are visually impaired.

However, given the fact that this app is at least partially designed for the visually-impaired crowd, I have one question. If the app gives you an audible confirmation when you re-orient the phone, or after you enter a word, then why don’t you get a “click” sound when your fingers hit the keyboard? I think, for me at least, that one small change would do wonders for my accuracy: it’s always easy to know when you’re on the keyboard when you can hear that you’re on it, you know?

Overall, however, the predictive text works great here. Even when I’m pretty off-base, this app nails what I’m trying to express. It doesn’t get it 100% of the time…but I’m quite impressed. If you want to master the ability to look someone in the face while you’re talking to them but texting someone else (a la Chris Traeger on “Parks and Rec”), this could be the app for you.

Conclusion and download link

Whether you’re looking for a typing aid for the visually impaired or just want to use a typing app that has a way better predictive text capability that Apple’s native offerings, this well-designed app is worth checking out!

Price: Free

Version reviewed: 1.7.2

Supported OS: Requires iOS 5.1 or later.

Download size: 36.4 MB

Fleksy on Apple App Store