Swype 3.0 beta was released in June of this year and officially began support for Android 3.1 Honeycomb tablets. Here's how to sign up for the open beta (for now) and get the popular keyboard replacement app onto your Honeycomb tablet:
This How To is broken down into four sections:
- Allow installation of non-Market applications
- Download and install Swype Installer app
- Install Swype keyboard app
- Enable Swype
Allow installation of non-Market applications
Since Swype 3.0 beta is not available through the Android Market, we need to allow applications from unknown sources to be installed on the tablet.
Step 1: Touch the Apps icon, then Settings.
Step 2: Touch Applications, then touch the box next to Unknown sources.
Step 3: Touch the OK button when the warning message pops up.
Download and install Swype Installer app
Step 1: Go to http://beta.swype.com and register for the Swype 3.0 beta.
You'll get an e-mail with the link to download Swype to your Honeycomb tablet and a numeric account code.
Step 2: Write down or memorize the account code for later. Then from your Honeycomb tablet, click the link to download the Swype Installer app.
Step 3: Once the file completes downloading, touch "Swype-Installer.apk" from the system bar to install the Swype Installer.
Step 4: When asked if you want to install this app, touch Install.
Download and install Swype app
Step 1: Once the Swype installer finishes installing, touch Open and log in using the e-mail address and password you used to sign up for the beta.
Step 2: After logging in, enter the account code you wrote down or memorized and touch Submit.
Step 3: Select the version of Swype you want to install and touch Download Swype.
Step 4: When asked if you want to install this app, touch Install. Once the Swype app finishes installing, touch Done.
Enable Swype app
Step 1: The next screen has two buttons--Enable Swype and Select Swype. Touch Enable Swype to open input configuration in Language and input settings.
Step 2: Check the box next to Swype then touch the OK button at the pop-up warning. Touch Back to go back to the Swype installation screen.
Step 3: At the Swype installation screen, now touch the Select Swype button.
Step 4: At the pop-up window, select Swype as your input method.
Step 5: Touch the Finish button and you're done!
There you go! Now you have the world's most popular alternative keyboard app on your Android Honeycomb tablet. Happy Swyping!