Multi-tap (multi-press)[1] is a text entry system for mobile phones.
Pausing for a set period of time will automatically choose the current letter in the cycle, as will pressing a different key.
It is commonly used in conjunction with text-messaging services.
Some portable telecommunications devices (such as the BlackBerry) have bypassed the need for this by incorporating a mini-keyboard for users to type on.
As of 2012, most mobile phones with fewer keys than alphabet letters offer a predictive text input method.