New Text Keyboard method for Handheld devices - Faster than swype - Based on a Figure 8 Motion - 8Pen

A few years ago marked reform for the mobile keyboard. The original keyboard for computers was designed to be used by both hands, which has had developers finding the best alternative keyboard layout for mobile handheld devices. ABC based text input worked for awhile, until texting became such a success. After ABC typing came T9 word, which revolutionized the speed for typing on mobile phones - creating a daily communication habit for millions of people. The current generation of touchscreen phones stopped T9 from its reign and launched numerous new techniques for typing on mobile devices. QWERTY keyboards began showing up on mobile devices, which resembled the same feel of full size computer keyboards. The problem with the miniature sized keyboards was that they were small, slow, and more prone to typing errors. Since the production of touchscreen devices, there has yet to be a favored method of typing on devices. 

People are mostly using the fullscreen keyboards on their mobile devices, but some techniques have been added to speed up the process. One of the fastest and most preferred typing methods on current devices is the Swype feature, which focuses on simply moving your finger across letters and then lifting your finger off the device to complete a word. Swype is said to be 60% faster than T9 functionality, but there is a new method that is said to be even faster, after you get the hang of its unique feel.

8Pen is an all new unique layout and form of typing on mobile devices. The "keyboard" is formed with a large X with a circle in the middle. The X forms the 4 basic parts of the keypad. On each side of the lines from the X are letters that start with the most commonly used letters closest to the center circle. You simply start with your finger in the center circle, then move it towards one of the 4 sections made by the X, which contains the letter you're wanting to type. From here is where it can be confusing at first. You spin your finger in the direction at which the letter you want appears in that section. If that letter is 3 positions from the center, you simply spin your finger 3 quadrants in that direction. The developer was aiming for a form of texting that is based on figure 8 motions. It sounds confusing, but its extremely easy once you get the hang of it. 8Pen's website gives a great demo and explanation of it.