I am sitting in Caffè Nero trying to test out a new iPhone app - SpellChecker.
It has its own dictionary that it refers to as you type. However, it can also access a range of other iPhone dictionaries. I have mine linked to the very impressive (but expensive) Oxford English Dictionary and Thesaurus.
Once you have finished typing in SpellChecker you simply press an icon and the program produces a list of possible words to replace the alternatives that it has previously identified. And, of course, you can tell the program to Skip or Learn your unique spelling or Undo any replacement.
Once you are happy with your text it can be directly exported to your Mail or Messaging or Twitter program, or to Facebook, or to the clipboard for use in any text application.
In one sense it may appear to be just another unremarkable text editing program. After all, the iPhone is quite capable of offering you possible words as you type. However, I find myself using this app more and more for three reasons.
First, it holds what you type in its memory. If you accidentally close the program to move to another app (reading an incoming text message in the middle of writing a blog, for example) nothing is lost. It always holds your typing on the input screen until you decide to delete it. It is reliably reassuring and reassuringly reliable.
Secondly, unlike many English language apps, it does distinguish between UK, US, and Canadian English, as well as supporting French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch.
Thirdly, the real power of the program lies in its ability to link to a range of selected iPhone dictionaries. If accurate written text is important to you, this app, linked to a good dictionary, will ease most potential difficulties.
That’s interesting. On the subject of spelling, (I laugh over mine sometimes), I am enjoying working with a dictionary with all my reading. It’s good to stop and check a word meaning. Starting a little glossary of terms. Very useful. I hope you find this app as useful for the way you want to use it.
American spelling is a personal bugbear of mine - and I must admit that the proliferation of iphone spelling “accidents” out there is a big scary reason for me to avoid the iPhone. Are you seeing it grab ridiculous words much? It would be nice to know there are apps that can avoid the weird words being inserted seemingly at random.