Making Texting Easier

A new app has been created aimed at older people and those with spelling difficulties.

The MaxieKeyboard is free to download on all Androids and includes an advanced spell-checker and suggestion engine to reduce mistakes and potentially embarrassing auto-corrections. Researchers at Strathclyde University are behind it. The system also improves the speed and accuracy of typing texts and e-mails on touchscreen devices

Doctor Mark Dunlop, senior lecturer in Computer and Information Sciences at Strathclyde said: “Touchscreen smartphone technology is still relatively new which, in itself, can make using it daunting for older people. When you add in the extreme sensitivity of screens and the lack of physical feedback from them, it’s easy to see why many older people either have frustrations or avoid using smartphones altogether.

“However, that demographic is now more active on social media channels and other platforms well suited to smartphones than many people realise. We wanted to develop an app which would allow them to be digitally active with the latest technology and MaxieKeyboard is a step towards that.”

The majority of modern smartphones have touchscreens, presenting a number of challenges which can be particularly problematic for older people. Researchers say with very sensitive, non-physical keyboards, the touchscreen phones can be difficult to use for those with common effects of ageing such as reduced visual acuity, reduced motor control and impaired working memory.

While some phone manufacturers have sought to cater for this by providing tailored handsets, these tend to be simplified versions of older models. The research team at Strathclyde sought to take a different approach by working with older adults through design workshops to develop a keyboard app that would allow them to confidently use the newest smartphones.

One of the team's findings was that older adults were often more careful to send error-free messages than younger users so their solution focusses on supporting error correction and reviewing messages.

The MaxieKeyboard app is available to download for free from the Google Play store from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strathclyde.oats.

Dr Dunlop said: “It’s free to have, simple to install and use and makes life easier by providing assistance with spelling and reducing the risk of missing mistakes. Perhaps its biggest benefit is that it can restore people’s confidence when texting and typing on touchscreen devices. It also reduces the chance of auto-correct bloopers.”