Swype for Android

Swype (not Skype) is an innovative touch keyboard that allows you to enter words without lifting your finger off the screen surface. Here's what Swype offers:

Swype provides a faster and easier way to input text on any screen. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard, the patented technology enables users to input words faster and easier than other data input methods—at over 50 words per minute. The application is designed to work across a variety of devices such as phones, tablets, game consoles, kiosks, televisions, virtual screens and more.

Swype comes on the Samsung Omnia II running Windows Mobile 6.5, but there's a preview version out there for Android. You can learn more about that preview here.

Samsung Omnia II getting some mixed reviews?

The Samsung Omnia II launched earlier this week and I've been seeing some mixed reviews about this smartphone. Some feel that the Swype technology works well while others don't seem to care for it. Most like the AMOLED display (but you can expect poor visibility when you're outside). The software running the user interface seems to be associated with a love/hate relationship. The widgets drain your memory and may slow things down. I think I prefer the HTC interface called TouchFLO. The lack of a built-in stylus? Well, my HTC Touch Pro2 has a stylus, but I rarely use it since I'm almost always using my finger to navigate on this device. However, if you're planning on running Epocrates, plan to use a stylus (note that Epocrates does not currently run on Windows Mobile 6.5, so you'll have to wait before you can get it to run on the Samsung Omnia II).

Let's see what happens as more reviews get published over the next week.

Samsung Omnia II is now available

The Samsung Omnia II is now on Verizon Wireless. This smartphone features a unique touch-screen typing experience called Swype technology. No need to lift your finger off the screen as you type. The AMOLED display should improve battery life as well. Now if you're looking for a smartphone that has a nice digital camera, how does 5 MP sound? You'll get a flash as well! (I really miss having an LED flash on my phone because it becomes a great flashlight when you're in the dark).

This phone is not a slider, so you won't see any type of hardware QWERTY keyboard. However, maybe the hardware QWERTY keyboard will become obsolete as smartphones rely on touch-screen input.

Free Samsung Omnia on Verizon Wireless

In anticipation of the new Samsung Omnia 2, the original Omnia is now available for FREE if you purchase it online from Verizon Wireless. Otherwise, it's $49.99. This smartphone is running Windows Mobile 6.1, but you may find a custom ROM out there that has 6.5.

This is a decent smartphone that has a relatively small screen (compared to the newer Windows Phones like the HTC Touch Pro2, the HTC Imagio, or even the Android phones like the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris). If you want a great deal on a smartphone that has some nice features, the Omnia is a good choice at a bargain price. If you can afford to wait and you're willing to spend a bit, then the Omnia 2 will be a much better choice.

Amazing smartphone deals on Verizon Wireless

As Verizon Wireless gets ready to liquidate some old smartphones and promote new smartphones, you can find some pretty amazing deals. For instance, the Samsung Omnia (not the Omnia II but the original Omnia) is selling for $15. The Omnia II is coming very soon. The HTC Touch Diamond is $50. Don't care for Windows Mobile? Then try the HTC Droid Eris for $100 (running Google's Android OS). You can even get the original BlackBerry Storm for $50 since the new BlackBerry Storm 2 is selling for $180.

Remember that Verizon now requires you to subscribe to a data plan if you purchase a smartphone. If you try to drop the data plan, you can expect to pay a hefty premium for your smartphone. Also, they charge extra for tethering, so make sure to ask those questions when you shop at Verizon.

Samsung Omnia II coming to Verizon in early December

It appears that the Samsung Omnia II will be coming to Verizon in early December. The Omnia II will be similar to the HTC Imagio. No slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Touch screen and Windows Mobile just like many other smartphones. So what will make the Omnia II unique? The AM-OLED display and the TouchWiz user interface.

The Omnia II will be a significant improvement over the original Samsung Omnia. You'll get a larger screen and some really nice feature improvements. Would it justify an upgrade if you're currently using the Omnia? I suppose the answer really depends on your budget and on how you're currently using your smartphone. If you really want Windows Mobile 6.5 on your Omnia, then you can load a custom ROM (as long as you know what you're doing). If you want a larger screen, then you'll need to upgrade to the Omnia II (or an HTC Imagio or Touch Pro2 if you want to stay with Windows Mobile).

It's great to see that Verizon is finally bolstering its smartphone selection.