The idea is fun, but the reason that we have qwerty keybords is that we are used to it, and would be confused when adding another. Thus, I don't see a big advantage over 1-9 oldschool texting. Although that is a different approach to the qwerty one that most people are formiliar with, it is more logical than the 8pen method IMHO. I think that if you can picture the 1-9 keys on an old cell, you'd be able to text without looking. But can you picture this imput method easily?

It does use more gestures, but if you have big fingers this method could probably improve your typing experience. It still could be a problem with our non-capacitive screen, since swiping a finger works better on capacitive screens. We've got more accuracy though, virtual portrait qwerty works well with opera on N900. I know, that takes a little bit of getting used to, as well!

But on an n900, honestly? We already have 2 typing methods from witch the HW keyboard is the fastest (for most). Also, in landscape mode with virtual keyboard it is not hard to hit the right key with one or 2 taps of your finger, wich are less gestures than the 8pen in theory.

Don't want to be sceptical, I just think if reinventing a keyboard was a really good idea it should have already been done..