To bae or not to bae: how to sext like Shakespeare

ShakeSpeak

We don't know what William Shakespeare would make of modern technology, but we know what he'd be using to chat with his pals.

A new app called ShakeSpeak – awful name, we know – lets you type like Shakespeare would have if he had a smartphone.

For example, write "to be or" and it will recommend you end it "not to be". Type "The course of" and it would suggest " love never did run smooth". You get the idea.

Is this a buffacake I see before me?

As well as quotes, the app will also recommend you use thou, thee and thy in your messages. You also get a new Shakespeare themed background to the SwiftKey keyboard.

SwiftKey's Head of Partnerships Sarah Rowley said: "SwiftKey learns from your writing style, so who better to have as your guide than one of the world's greatest wordsmiths? Shakespeare brought language to the masses in innovative and exciting ways - and now people can experience his unique and timeless use of language on their smartphone keyboard."

But sexting like the Bard with this keyboard isn't the easiest thing to do - there isn't a huge amount of choice when it comes to phrases. Look how we struggled.

ShakeSpeak

You can download ShakeSpeak from the Google Play Store now - sadly those on iOS or Windows Phone won't be supported by the app.

James Peckham

James is the Editor-in-Chief at Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

Latest in Phones
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is getting one of the S25’s biggest video upgrades with One UI 7 – here’s why Log Video matters
iPad mini 2021
Huawei might have beaten Apple to the folding phone finish line by creating a foldable 'iPad mini'
Google Pixel 9 in green Wintergreen color showing AI features on screen
Multiple hands-on Google Pixel 9a videos have emerged, days ahead of the likely launch
Apple iPhone 16e on blue background with don't miss text overlay
Quick! One of the best iPhone 16e deals is back in stock – get a device for just $99 at Visible Wireless
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung's latest software upgrade could mean Galaxy phones beat iPhones for gaming – but you can't get it yet
Latest in News
Panos Panay and Alexa Plus
Amazon's Panos Panay teases future Alexa+ devices from speakers to possible wearables
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments