A new Guinness World Record has been set for the fastest text message on a touchscreen mobile phone. It's a new category – previous attempts have used a physical keypad – and was set using Swype technology on the Samsung Omnia II smartphone.
The record was set by Franklin Page, who's previously worked for Swype. He wrote the official world record phrase in 35.54 seconds: "The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human".
Swype technology allows users to input text by moving their finger across an on-screen keyboard without pressing individual keys. The company reckons an average user can achieve text input speeds of over 40 words per minute.
Paul Golden, chief marketing officer of Samsung Telecommunications America, said "One of the many benefits of the Omnia II is Swype technology, which allows users to enter text faster than ever before. Samsung Mobile is proud to be the first handset manufacturer to bring innovations like Swype to market. We knew that Swype made touchscreen texting faster and easier and setting a new Guinness World Record is an exciting way to show what the technology can really do."
The Guinness World Record attempt forms part of a TV commercial for the Samsung Omnia II in the United States.