Swype has been the forerunner in gesture typing keyboards for Android smartphones. Today, Nuance Communications, Inc., the developer of Swype, has released a host of updates that include new Star Trek themes, new emoji keyboards and other new features to refresh the keyboard, which has been a staple for many smartphone texters.

The Star Trek theme is poised to gain popularity among users. Swype is offering 19 different Star Trek themes in total to customize and personalize the keyboard. So if you've always wanted to stare at Jean-Luc Picard's face as you type in your text message or press your fingers against Spock's pointy ears as you gesture across your phone, then you may want to have a look at the new themes available from $0.99 to $1.99 or get entire theme bundles for $2.99.

Other additions and updates include the following: improved prediction, which will offer more word suggestions as you type, number prediction, which is largely to make up for the lack of a number row;, and auto converting spelled out numbers into their numerical counterparts. The new prediction software will also automatically work with symbols.

"Typing 'ejqp' will bring up a suggestion for 3:10 while "swpp" will just suggest $200," explains Android Authority.

Chinese language users will also get upgraded support for more "robust" predictions. Swype will use cloud-based predictions for characters in the Chinese language for a richer experience.

The new emoji screen also makes locating and selecting the perfect emoji for your message much easier. Unfortunately, no Star Trek emoji is available as of yet.

The keyboard may be starting to show its age but the new boosts in its prediction software and its snazzy new Star Trek themed keyboards as well as improved emoji screens, Swype has certainly given itself a facelift to boldly go where it has not gone before.