Word Checker
Word Checker is a free mobile Java utility.
It simply checks if a word is acceptable in games like Scrabble, using the TWL06 and SOWPODS word lists.
How is it useful?
- It’s comprehensive. It includes two full competition word lists, right there on your phone.
- It’s instant. Well, quicker than a dictionary, anyway.
- It’s portable. Assuming your phone is. Good for playing on trains, ferries, etc.
- You don’t need mobile reception. You can play underground, inside lead boxes, … the world is your highly-literate oyster.
- It’s free. I’m literally giving it away. And there’s no paying your network for data (assuming you can get the applet on your phone by some other means, like Bluetooth).
How isn’t it useful?
- It’s not a dictionary. There are no definitions.
- It’s not a spell checker. It won’t suggest similar alternatives.
- It’s not a crossword solver. It won’t make anagrams or find words that fit a pattern.
- It only checks one word at a time.
Plus I’m afraid it’s unlikely that I’ll address any of those (or any other) shortcomings, since I no longer use a phone with Java.
How do I get it?
First, you need a mobile Java enabled phone of the right vintage (CLDC 1.0 + MIDP 2.0). The following definitely work:
- Some SonyEricssons, including the K750 and K800.
- Some Nokias, including the 6300.
The files are here: a JAD file and a JAR file (992KB).
How to install them will depend on your phone. On my K800, I can download the JAR file alone, then send it to my phone over Bluetooth. You may be able to do the same, or to use a data cable, or to download the JAR file or JAD file (which simply links to the JAR file) over-the-air. If you do the latter, watch out for your mobile data charges, since the applet is nearly 1MB in size.
Please let me know about your success or failure with your phone model and installation method, so I can update the information here.
Feedback?
Please email me on george mackerron com.