WRIO (write it once – http://wrio-keyboard.com) is the perfect keyboard for smartphones. Convenient gestures and a completely optimized layout for smartphones allow 20-70% faster as well as error-free typing. After a successful Kickstarter campaign and a beta test with more than 800 users, the final app is now available for download in the App Store and Play Store.
More than 73 percent of smartphone users are dissatisfied with their keyboard, according to our survey among 150 people. No wonder, for the current QWERTY keyboard was developed over 140 years ago for typewriters. WRIO Keyboard was therefore designed from scratch to create an optimal typing experience on touch devices. It is installed as an alternative to the standard keyboard and thus is available in all apps. With the intuitive new functions, participants in user tests achieved a 20 to 70% higher typing speed.
On the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter the WRIO project was backed by more than 800 people in October 2015, with the funding target of USD 10,000 surpassed by over 50%. At WRIO Keyboard the user stands in the center. The backers have been actively involved in the development and have provided valuable feedback during the beta test. In the future, WRIO users will continue to participate in further development using a dedicated community platform.
The keys are much larger than on traditional keyboards and are arranged hexagonally, which makes them a lot easier to reach with thumbs and fingers. Moreover, the keyboard has two centrally located space keys and special characters that are noticeably faster to reach. An intelligent auto correction and adaptation of the keyboard to individual typing behavior further minimizes errors. Currently, this feature is only available on Android; iOS will receive the update in June.
Touch-optimized gestures allow quick access to special functions. To capitalize, simply swipe up – the shift key is no longer required. A swipe to the left deletes one or multiple letters. Deleted too much? Simply restore the text by swiping to the right.
Language-specific diacritics (e.g. the Spanish ñ) can be typed easily with a slightly longer tab on a letter. The user decides which diacritics are displayed. Up to five from over 30 languages can be selected. This way it is easy to write in multiple languages without the need to switch between keyboards. Also more than 1,000 emoji are included. WRIO ships with many different themes for each person’s taste.
Data privacy and protection is very important at WRIO. Therefore, all data stay on the device and are never transmitted to the cloud.
WRIO was created by the Swiss start-up icoaching (www.icoaching.ch). The internet agency was founded in 2011 by Janis Berneker and David Eberle and supports companies in developing online strategies and websites. Going forward, the company will focus increasingly on app development.
