Nokia smart phone owners invited to test out Swype for Symbian

Nokia smart phone owners can try out the hot new Swype text messaging technology, previously only available to selected Android users.

Swype for Symbian Beta is now available to download for smart phone owners running Symbian for S60 5th Edition. This means the Nokia 5800, 5230, X6, N97, N97 mini and C6-00 handsets.

Swype plugs in directly into the Symbian input method, with Nokia claiming it will "ensure seamless integration with every application on the device."

Swype allows you to message people by running your finger in one continuous movement, tracing a path and writing the word from recognition of the pattern. It presents options where it isn't clear. If you get it working properly, then you should be able to input words at over 40 words per minute.

We like Swype here, finding it fast, accurate and easy to use on the run. It's also broken the world texting record, with a Brit typing "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" in record time.

Nokia is asking for feedback about how it works, and if it's positive, you could be seeing Swype in a range of new and old touch screen Nokias.

So far it has got an average of 4 stars from reviews on the Nokia labs site. Some of the Nokia phones seem to be working better than others, with any criticism coming from performance issues.

So Nokia owners, fancy a bit of a whirl with Skype to make your messaging a lot quicker? Download it from the site, and let us know how you go.