Fleksy is a third-party, proprietary virtual keyboard app for Android and iOS devices. It attempts to improve traditional typing speed and accuracy through enhanced auto-correction and gesture controls. Fleksy uses error-correcting algorithms that analyze the region where the user touches the keyboard and feeds this through a language model, which calculates and identifies the intended word. Swiping gestures are used to control common functions, such as space, delete, and word correction.
 | |
| Original author(s) | Thingthing Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | December 2012 |
| Operating system | iOS Android Linux Unity |
| Type | Virtual keyboard Predictive Keyboard In-App Keyboard |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www |
Fleksy has introduced Fleksyapps,[1] which are mini-programs and Fleksynext,[2] its Smart Assistant that utilizes artificial intelligence capable of understanding intent, sentiment and context while typing.[3]
Fleksy's mission is to democratize access to language input technologies through their suite of SDKs: Virtual Keyboard SDK, Predictive Text SDK, In-App Keyboard SDK. In June 2023, Fleksy has shared their latest Unity OpenXR-based Predictive Keyboard SDK.
History
Fleksy was developed by Fleksy Inc., a company founded in 2011.[4] It was originally developed for the blind and visually impaired to enable typing through muscle memory.[5]
In July 2012, Fleksy became commercially available on the iPhone as a download from Apple's iOS App Store.[6] On June 15, 2016, the company moved on to Pinterest.[7]
In July 2017, Thingthing Ltd., a competing keyboard company, acquired Fleksy and resumed its development.[8] In 2018, the Fleksy keyboard was acquired by Thingthing Ltd., and given an upgrade.
In summer of 2018, Fleksy opened a seed crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube.[9] In October 2018, Fleksy partnered with Palm and was preinstalled as the default keyboard on all Palm devices.[10]
In 2019, Fleksy introduced Fleksyapps "mini app programs."[11] Afterwards, Fleksy releases its smart assistant, Fleksynext.[2] In October 2019, Fleksy was forced to raise the rating of its keyboard app to PEGI 12 rating on Google Play compared to PEGI 3 carried by Gboard, Google's own app. This rating was restored after the company contacted the International Age Rating Coalition.[12] Google refrained to comment.
In 2019, Fleksy became the first keyboard used for Passive Digital Phenotyping in the Healthcare space.
In May 2020, Fleksy completes its pivot towards B2B as its gaining traction in the market, launching its Software Development Kit (SDK) and taking on clients in Healthcare, Productivity, Generative AI, Augmented Reality, Advertising, Banking and many more.
In February 2021, Fleksy expanded its SDK across 7 verticals. In October 2021, Fleksy announced it has raised a Series A from Inveready to support the growth of its B2B business, helping clients in various industries leverage its input method technologies.
In August 2022, it officially expands into DevTool territory with the launch of its Developer Platform and Integration Documentation, making it easier than ever for software developers globally to test and build their own virtual keyboard.[13]
In January 2023, Fleksy adds an additional 11 verticals, totalizing 18 verticals served.[14]
In February 2024, the company expands officially into Field Mobility (Logistics) and Cybersecurity after winning a prestigious grant from Innovate UK to Combat Financial Fraud on Mobile.[15]
Software
Fleksy’s auto-correct algorithm functions by combining analysis of user typing patterns and linguistic context. Analysis of tap locations (rather than letters selected) affords it the ability to remain tolerant of drifting errors and allows the user to type on an invisible keyboard or even off the keyboard in some instances.[16] As a result, Fleksy has been embraced by the visually-impaired community.[17][18][19][20] The software has been considered for the "Story of the Year" of the Technology Year in Review for 2012 by the American Foundation for the Blind.[5]
Fleksy allows sighted people to blind-type on a touchscreen.[21] Quentin Stafford-Fraser said on his website: "I found I could type whole sentences immediately, without looking at the keyboard".[21]
Availability
Fleksy is available in 82 languages[22] and QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, Dvorak, and Colemak layouts on Android and iOS. The Fleksy SDK provides autocorrection, next word prediction and swipe input.
Awards
Fleksy has received a number of awards since its release in July 2012:
- Officially broke Guinness World Record for fastest touch-screen text message in May 2014[23]
- South by Southwest Interactive Accelerator 2013 Winner[24]
- Apple's Best of App Store 2012[25]
- CES 2013 Innovation honoree[26]
- Qualcomm QPrize finalist[27]
- Royal National Institute of Blind People, app of the month for August 2012[28]
- Golden Apple Award[29]