Today’s your day for alternative Android keyboards; we took a look at HTC’s Swype ripoff, Trace, as well as the split-layout Thumb Keyboard. Now it’s Swype’s turn to respond to the competition, and it’s doing so by revealing the first beta release of Swype 3.0.

Beta 3.0 is supposed to go out to testers this afternoon. Moments ago, Swype’s site for the beta was up-and-running, but now displays the notice “The Swype Beta is Down for Maintance” (sic). This work may be part of preparations for distributing the new beta to eagerly-awaiting testers.

Some of the changes in this new release are tablet-specific, supporting higher-resolution Android displays and allowing you to relocate the keyboard on-screen. You won’t need a tablet, though, to enjoy the new predictive tap feature. Now you’ll be able to use the same Swype predictive text engine when tapping away at virtual keys instead of just when swiping. When the software has multiple guesses at what you meant, the options will now be displayed in a horizontal bar so you can quickly choose the word you intended.

Look for Swype beta 3.0 to become available any moment now.

UPDATE: BETA DELAYED BECAUSE:

d) All of above !#@$!&