Phones have been blamed for creating a generation of people who can only communicate in so-called ‘ text speak ’ and smiley faces . But a pair of New York developers is hoping to expand our vocabularies with the launch of its Words U app . The app uses an algorithm to automatically replace words in messages with synonyms – and users can collect words to compete with their friends . Scroll down for video . The free Words U iOS app was created by New York-based Sam Mendelson and Allan Zhang . It changes the words used in text messages while keeping the sentence structure and meaning the same . The original words are shown right and the updated words are shown left . ‘ Learning new vocabulary can be stressful and challenging , but it does n't have to be , ’ explained Sam Mendleson and Allan Zhang . ‘ With Words U , your casual conversations become learning opportunities. ’ They added that Words U is ‘ much smarter than an electronic thesaurus ’ because it maintains the sentence structure and the idiomatic usage of words it replaces . There are more than 800 words that can be used , and subsequently collected , and the aim is to achieve the ‘ words crown ’ by collecting them all . The general meaning of a new word is the same as the word it is replacing , but users can tap it to see a full dictionary definition ( pictured ) . They can also revert it back to the original word , and recipients can press the lightbulb icon to see what the sender initially typed . With Memrise , users commit Chinese characters and definitions to memory with the help of animations and mnemonics . For example , the symbol for 'cow ' resembles a cow carrying a neck yoke . And 'noodles ' look like a bowl of noodles being eaten with chopsticks . Users then review the characters periodically - a technique known as 'spaced repetition ' . The firm compares the learning process to 'growing a garden of memory ' , with the premise being that when users learn words , they plant virtual seeds , which 'grow and bloom the more they review and practise . ' The general meaning of a new word is the same as the word it is replacing , but users can tap it to see a full dictionary definition . This also shows the history of the usage of the word . They can also revert it back to the original word , and recipients can press the lightbulb icon to see what the sender initially typed . It is only currently available in the US and the words have been taken from college curriculums including those used in English SAT exams . And once the initial list of words has been learnt and collected users can download extension packs for $ 6.99 . Words U is also only available in English , but the firm told The Next Web it is hoping to develop foreign language versions if the app is a success .
Allan Zhang was created by developers Sam Mendelson and Free Words U . It changes words in text messages to boost a user ’ s vocabulary . The sentence structure and meaning , or idiomatic usage , stays the same . For example , ‘ have a good time ’ becomes ‘ have a congenial time ’ Tapping a word shows its definition and users can change it back . Words can also be collected and users can compete with their friends .