MessagEase

MessagEase Logo

MessagEase is an input method for touchscreen devices. It relies on a new entry system designed by Saied B. Nesbat, formatted as a 3x3 matrix keypad where users may press or swipe up, down, left, right, or diagonally to access all keys and symbols.[1] The system makes typing on a smaller screen considerably easier due to there only being 9 keys instead of having a key per letter, as in traditional QWERTY keyboards.

The keyboard supports multiple user dictionaries, used for word prediction and correction.[2]

The software is developed and patented by ExIdeas, based in Belmont, California. It was first released in 2002 for the Palm, along with a paper in 2003.[3]

Layout

Default keyboard

The keyboard has a 3x3 matrix that allows for full-text entry. The letter placement is optimized for minimal movement distance between letters, allowing for faster typing.[4] To type the main letters, the user presses the key. To type the sub-letters, the user must swipe in that direction.[5] There is also a dedicated number pad and implemented shortcuts.

The layout is 67% faster than a standard QWERTY software keyboard, and 31% faster than a multi-tap keyboard, when typing is modeled with Fitt's law.

Software

The keyboard is currently available for Android devices, with iOS support in beta.[6]

Currently supported languages:

  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Italian
  • Japanese Katakana
  • Japanese Hiragana
  • Korean
  • Persian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Urdu

External links

References

  1. ↑ Nesbat. "A System for Fast, Full-Text Entry for Small Electronic Devices". http://www.exideas.com/ME/ICMI2003Paper.pdf''.
  2. ↑ "Android FAQ". http://www.exideas.com/ME/android_faq.html''.
  3. ↑ Lomas. "As Mobile Devices Morph Into Wearables, Keyboard Maker MessagEase Wants Your Fingers To Settle On Its Qwerty Killer". TechCrunch.
  4. ↑ Nesbat. "A System for Fast, Full-Text Entry for Small Electronic Devices". http://www.exideas.com/ME/ICMI2003Paper.pdf''.
  5. ↑ "Essential MessagEase Redux". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ayS-Ita6g''.
  6. ↑ "MessageEase". http://www.exideas.com/ME/index.php''.