Poor auto-correction, predictive text and copy and paste functions mean tablets are not yet meeting user and corporate computing needs
[US location], USA — July 12, 2011 — The touch screen typing systems used on tablet computers such as the iPad require such an effort to type with speed and accuracy that tablets are used mainly as passive devices, according to new research commissioned by KeyPoint Technologies and conducted independently by Opinion Matters.
The research reveals that this issue discourages people from engaging in more complex, creative activities beyond simple emailing, and online social media interaction. This limits the tablet’s potential, particularly in the corporate world.
Typing is the biggest frustration
The research shows that tablet users’ biggest frustration with the devices is typing long documents of over 500 words (44 per cent), well ahead of battery (36 per cent) and connectivity concerns (23 per cent). When questioned, users reported that it is not the on-screen keyboard itself that causes issues, but poor auto-correction, predictive text and copy and paste functions associated with it.
“It’s clear that text input will be the next battlefield in tablet computing, as manufacturers try to steal a march on each other and improve the utility of their tablets,” says Sunil Motaparti, CTO of KeyPoint Technologies. “The poor typing experience leaves people viewing the devices as a compromised hybrid, mid-way between a smartphone and a laptop. Only with improved – faster and more accurate - text input technologies, can the tablet become a realistic replacement for a laptop and a real aid to productivity.”
Activities governed by tablet limitations
The most popular activities people use a tablet for reflect the limitations of the devices’ text input capabilities, revolving around web browsing (80 per cent), games (61 per cent), emails (57 per cent), Facebook, Twitter and other social media (56 per cent).
The Input Gap holds the tablet back
Other findings from the KeyPoint Technologies ‘How Tablets Can Steal A March On Laptops’ report include:
- The most popular form of entry was the manufacturer’s device touchpad with 31 per cent of users preferring this mode of entry. Only nine per cent of users wanted speech recognition.
- The difficult typing experience on tablets leaves people viewing the devices as mid-way between a smartphone and a laptop (45 per cent smartphone; 45 per cent laptop).
- The majority of respondents agreed that the auto-correct functionality on tablets required improvement (81 per cent).
- Users under 45 were more likely to have an expectation that the tablet offer a laptop-like experience. 86% of these users felt the auto-correct could be improved.
Sample size
The primary research findings are based on responses from 1011 people in the United States who use tablet computers such as the iPad. The research was commissioned by KeyPoint Technologies and conducted independently by Opinion Matters in June 2011.
About KeyPoint Technologies
For developers, OEMS and platform providers worldwide, KeyPoint Technologies is a trusted partner generating dynamism via Open Source. With its unique business model for input technology, combined with world-class linguistics expertise, the company enables partners developing devices including: Smartphones; Feature phones; Tablets; Connected TVs; In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system and Point of Sale (POS) systems, to innovate more effectively. KeyPoint Technologies closes the 'Input Gap' to help partners better solve tomorrow’s interface challenges. It delivers convenient, consistent and more rewarding user experiences, thus enabling increased speed and accuracy of text-based user input and interaction. KeyPoint Technologies OpenAdaptxt™ is the first commercial-grade, Open Source-based text input platform, supporting 50 languages.
Privately-owned, KeyPoint Technologies was founded in 2004 by Sanjay Patel and is based in Glasgow, UK with offices in India and the USA. The company operates globally serving device manufacturers in key markets such as USA, Europe, Korea, Taiwan and Canada.
For further information on OpenAdaptxt™ and KeyPoint Technologies, please visit: www.openadaptxt.orgor www.keypoint-tech.com.
Notes to Editors
For further information, interviews or images, contact:
Joanna Lane, Paul Crouch, Sian Edwards
Chameleon PR
Tel: +44 (0)207 680 5500
Email:joanna.lane@chameleonpr.com,paul.crouch@chameleonpr.com, sian.edwards@chameleonpr.com
