Develop Bugs

Idea for a better screen keyboard, help needed

Y'all,
I want to develop an on-screen keyboard for the X1 where the keys are curved along an arc (say 75 to 90 degrees or so). This would give more surface area for the keys along the problematic top row (the qwerty row) where things are just too tight on the Xperia, even on great ones like fingerkeyb.
Can anyone point me in the right direction, in terms of source code that I could modify or something? Or if this is a practical idea?

Like this, brethren...
C'mon, let's get the smile keyboard started

why dont you just skin fingerkeyboard?? all the background work is done.

ring-bearer said:
Like this, brethren...
C'mon, let's get the smile keyboard started
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a funny keyboard

anothadave said:
why dont you just skin fingerkeyboard?? all the background work is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good suggestion - I'll look into it.

The Best Keyboard on HTC Desire?

I have use standard HTC Desire keyboard and I am satisfied so far, but I was read some review
swype and ShapeWriter is a good virtual keyboard too.
Does anyone has tested this Keyboard? which one better? Default Keyboard, Swype or ShapeWriter
Best Regards
Jauhari

I use the HTC_IME, which is the modded version of htc keyboard, it is so much better

quanganhle90 said:
I use the HTC_IME, which is the modded version of htc keyboard, it is so much better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep times 2. But im using swype. This is my best keyboard and better than slide it.

I use smart keyboard - far better than stock or even the HTC IME mod

Can you tell me in what way a keyboard is better than another?

Nuntius said:
Can you tell me in what way a keyboard is better than another?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the stock one annoyed me because the word suggestions appear over the top of what your writing, so you can't read what you've just typed.
smart keyboard has a section above the keyboard where the suggestions appear, so they don't get in the way.
also i found i hit the full stop button too often on the stock one as the space bar was too small.
smart keyboard has a free version so try that. but it doesn't have the word correction - that's only in the pro verison

switched to swype a few days ago, don't know if i'll be able to use traditional keyboards again lol
the word prediction is just amazing and much faster than typing on the standard htc sense keyboard

Swype without a doubt.
100% recommended.
If you want to try it ----> http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3UNGP0LT (English and Spanish only)

Keyboard as portrait mode when in landscape use?
Hi guys! With stock keyboard on Desire, it is pretty good to use it in portrait mode, however, when you try in landscape mode -to take benefits of the larger buttons as well- you must forgo the rest on the page/app or whatever on the screen, because the screen is then full with keyboard and text input box only.
Is there any keyboard which is not covering the whole screen (this may be possible with an input field consisting of one, scrollable line) ??

i find swype incredibly slow, there is no way that one finger sliding to each key is faster than tapping with two thumbs in opinion.

Such choices are relative by definition.
IME, HTC_IME mod keyboard is the best all round followed by Swype in some regards. However, Swype disabling multi-touch in the browser kills its appeal on my end unless I'm using an app where I don't require the zoom feature.
And yep, Swype-ing words is faster, much faster, as odd as that might sound... simply because you don't have to hit the actual keys to bring the whole word up in prediction, and even when you hit a few wrong keys in a word, very surprisingly, Swype 99/100 auto-corrects the word or at least offers the correct word to choose -- far more forgiving than the other traditional keyboards. The detection, prediction and auto-correction are what make the product work. I basically scribble everything in if using it, and do it very fast with little error, less than a traditional on-screen keyboard if trying that much speed anyway (sure, there is an initial learning curve like with anything new. It 'aint a 2 day affair).
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- Sent via my HTC Desire -

Hi guys! With stock keyboard on Desire, it is pretty good to use it in portrait mode, however, when you try in landscape mode -to take benefits of the larger buttons as well- you must forgo the rest on the page/app or whatever on the screen, because the screen is then full with keyboard and text input box only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one major beef of mine on this phone too. It makes the landscape mode quite redundant in many usages.
I don't know of any such app yet.
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- Sent via my HTC Desire -

I can't see why people like Swype over slide it.
I have installed Swype 3 times and each time go back to slide it. Swype although in beta just isn't as good.
For example when you want to do a double letter you need to do a stupid little circle over the letter. WHY? Also its not as accurate. Also I have consistently had a 40% fail rate with words.
Slide it is accurate, I hardly get any mistakes, it knows when you want or need a double letter. I can almost write as quick as if I were typing on a full size keyboard.
The only advantage Swype has is it looks good. I'm amazed people rate it over the far superior slide it.

quanganhle90 said:
I use the HTC_IME, which is the modded version of htc keyboard, it is so much better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How To use HTC_IME? how to mods it?

What I'd really like is to be able to use Swype in portrait, and HTC in landscape...

This is much better than all those:
Standard HTC Desire Keyboard with enhancements:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=663608

I have that one, still prefer Swype for portrait...

NZtechfreak said:
I have that one, still prefer Swype for portrait...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does swype easy to use? I want tried it but refer into poll result HTC Default Keyboard user still high.. so I prefer using Mods version.

NZtechfreak said:
What I'd really like is to be able to use Swype in portrait, and HTC in landscape...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
totally agree,i find swype to be awesome for portrait but a bit rubbish for landscape.

[Q] [App Idea] Soft keyboard that only shows numbers while using physical keyboard

I am certainly no developer, but I was wondering if there was a way to make a soft keyboard that would only show a row of numbers while the physical keyboard is in use, but would show a normal full keyboard when only using the soft keyboard. While I love the physical keyboard on the G2, I do miss my G1's 5th row. The way I was thinking this could be implemented is the same way swiftkey works. While using the physical keyboard it still shows predicted words that you can click. What I am describing (possibly not very well) is exactly what swiftkey does, but a row of numbers instead of predicted text.
Is this possible? If something like this already exists I do apologize, I searched around but could not find anything like this. Thanks!

Also this should probably be in themes/apps. I meant to put it there, just clicked on the wrong thing, feel free to move it!

gbpack2306 said:
I am certainly no developer, but I was wondering if there was a way to make a soft keyboard that would only show a row of numbers while the physical keyboard is in use, but would show a normal full keyboard when only using the soft keyboard. While I love the physical keyboard on the G2, I do miss my G1's 5th row. The way I was thinking this could be implemented is the same way swiftkey works. While using the physical keyboard it still shows predicted words that you can click. What I am describing (possibly not very well) is exactly what swiftkey does, but a row of numbers instead of predicted text.
Is this possible? If something like this already exists I do apologize, I searched around but could not find anything like this. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea if it's possible, but I want it!

Me 3...

DUDE!!! GENIUS! Thats is a Grade A, #1, winner idea.
if you dont know how to, contact some1 who does....

+1 That is a great idea.

Well, I really wouldn't want a row of numbers to take away from my screen real-estate while I'm browsing the web.
BUT! The G2 does have those new quick keys on it which may come in handy? All we need to is preset one of the quick keys to pop up the numbers row when pressed, and hide it when pressed again.
I think this is a great idea, and would love to see if this could be done. I don't see why someone cant make this into a VERY SIMPLE APP FOR THE G2?

havikx said:
DUDE!!! GENIUS! Thats is a Grade A, #1, winner idea.
if you dont know how to, contact some1 who does....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'm glad people like the idea. If something doesn't come of this thread, I'll definitely look into finding someone to help.
WilliamStern said:
Well, I really wouldn't want a row of numbers to take away from my screen real-estate while I'm browsing the web.
BUT! The G2 does have those new quick keys on it which may come in handy? All we need to is preset one of the quick keys to pop up the numbers row when pressed, and hide it when pressed again.
I think this is a great idea, and would love to see if this could be done. I don't see why someone cant make this into a VERY SIMPLE APP FOR THE G2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I certainly don't dislike this idea, and I would totally use it if someone developed it this way, I would prefer it be implemented more like I described above for a couple of reasons.
1. You say you don't want a row of number blocking part of your screen while browsing the web. The numbers, if implemented like SwiftKey does their suggestive text, would only come up when you are in a text field.
2. I don't know, but I feel like using the quick keys would require root, which we don't (permanently) have yet.
3. There are several other phones out there that could benefit from an app like this, such as the droid, droid 2, mytouch slide, etc because they also have a "full" four row keyboard. If we used the quick keys, they wouldn't be able to take advantage of this

+1 to the list of people who think this is a great idea. One of the G2's significant shortcomings is that the keyboard is only 4 rows, which makes typing numbers very cumbersome. This would be a great solution to that problem.

I agree this would be a great idea. Also adding in the spell check bar would make my day. Even with the physical keyboard I sometimes hit the wrong letter or just can't spell a word.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Posting in a epic Thread.
Hope this become real.

"Softkeyboard that only shows numbers while using physical keyboard" FTW!

raitchison said:
One of the G2's significant shortcomings is that the keyboard is only 4 rows, which makes typing numbers very cumbersome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you realize that hitting the alt key twice in a row will put it in a "Alt-lock" mode, so to speak. This will allow you to type numbers without having to hit alt after each number. Of course, you'll have to hit alt one more time to switch back to regular letters.

Stryder5 said:
I hope you realize that hitting the alt key twice in a row will put it in a "Alt-lock" mode, so to speak. This will allow you to type numbers without having to hit alt after each number. Of course, you'll have to hit alt one more time to switch back to regular letters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its a good idea, but if you were to dedicate a key to it, it seems kinda pointless
I mean double-tap ALT will lock number keys. So it doesn't seem like that much of an issue.
great idea tho. How can we make it better?

Best idea since that app that fixed the white G1 backlit key issue lol. Finally have a pirpose for these dumb ass quick keys.
If someone did this right this could be the new swype... preloaded on all 4 row sliders.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using telepathy and unicorn dust!

i'm highly upset i never dove deeper into developing. this seems like something fairly simple to develop, for some1 who knows developing.
please do. this 4 row is killing me.

I would pay a couple bucks for this app, and it seems pretty simple. Someone please make it!

+1
love it. i think that could be a great app that i'd for sure use

I'd gladly pay for this. I really hope something comes of this thread.

I made these tonight.
G2NumberKeyboard shows a number row whenever the keyboard is open.
G2NumberToggleKeyboard shows/hides the number row whenever you press and hold the right shift key.
It works ok, but has a few bugs (for instance, sometimes the number row doesn't appear without sliding the screen closed/open, sometimes the number row stays on-screen after leaving the input box, etc).
Install the apk then enable in Settings -> Keyboard
Give it a try and let me know/give feedback.

Thumb Keyboard review

I am really liking this keyboard:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/02/26/thumb-keyboard-is-an-epic-win-for-tablet-typing-hands-on/

Been using it from day one. It is perfect for tablet typing
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

My only gripe is that it takes over the whole screen sometimes... not always but most of the time it does and that bugs me.
I've changed it to the 10" tablet setting as well.

I've been holding out for SwiftKey's thumb keyboard. They demo'd it at the same time as the Xoom but I can't even find a beta. Thumb keyboard is absolutly necessary.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

BBalz said:
My only gripe is that it takes over the whole screen sometimes... not always but most of the time it does and that bugs me.
I've changed it to the 10" tablet setting as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a option to actually not make it take over the entire screen.
Under options "Suppress Fullscreen Mode"

stigmax said:
There is a option to actually not make it take over the entire screen.
Under options "Suppress Fullscreen Mode"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After changing that setting this has become easily my favorite app on the Xoom so far.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

Just got thumb keyboard. Seems like it will take a little getting used to, but so far I like it. Some of the punctuation is difficult to find, but I'm sure that comes with time.
Also, I think there only needs to be a single g on the keyboard, I find myself wanting to hit h but hitting g instead.
I'm gonna play around with the settings a lil bit, see what I come up with.
Thanks for the suggestion on this keyboard

I totally enjoyed using this keyboard. I wish they could let us to rearrange some of the layout. But I found I use the thumb keyboard when I'm holding it with two hands. Otherwise when the tablet is flat on the tablet I prefer the default google keyboard.

Bought it today and I really like it. The numbers are a little hard to reach.

Just got this app a little while ago and it's very intuitive for an OG Droid user.
Things I like:
Hold a key for alt character instead of pressing the '[email protected]' key and switching back.
Numbers are easily accessible.
.com key!
Smileys. :-D
Directional keys.
Things I don't like:
The location of the backspace key. I'm so used to it being in the upper right that when I want to erase stuff I type pppp instead. It's also too close to the enter key.
It's a bit sensative.
some of the punctuation is oddly placed,
Otherwise, excellent app and worth the $.
XOOM'd from the XDA app.

Bought it. Cool, thanks.
Liking it a lot. Though I just got it, I'm still not completely used to the thumb keyboard but for sure, it's more comfortable and much quicker than the default.

I bought this Thumb keyboard; however I'm not sure I'll keep using it. I'm not really liking the layout with the duplicate keys on both sides. Also, it seems like a big calculator, so unpleasant looking. I think the SlideIT keyboard looks pretty good. Looking forward to it's release. I think there's huge room for improvement in on screen keyboards. Why don't they give some nice visual feedback when keys are pressed? They should make it glow around the key that's pressed. Honeycomb is 2D accelerated so it should be easy for companies to make a nice looking and responsive keyboard.

i really like this keyboard, my only complaint is the spacebar....
i;ve tried adjusting its size and find making it much larger is helpful, but i still find myself missing it.
i think a great place for an additional space bar would be the blank space between the numberpad/special keys (both sides) in landscape mode.

The Xoom is my first Android device and I saw that on the review page there is this 2D barcode. How do I use the Xoom to scan this? Maybe I am just stupid

funnycreature said:
The Xoom is my first Android device and I saw that on the review page there is this 2D barcode. How do I use the Xoom to scan this? Maybe I am just stupid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try Google Goggles?

Software buttons annoyance!

Sent quite a few text messages and emails today and closed both the applications a few times in error as the homepage button is right under the space bar and very sensitive!
I suppose I will get use to it however with time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

This is what I fear the most when I first heard about the software button. Hopefully my fingers will get used to it.

It's not too different from having a capacitive button right below the screen. Just need to type a little slower I'd say

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMpctKxY3E&sns=em
He agrees with you.

Type in landscape mode
Sent from my X10i using xda premium

_hyperdude said:
It's not too different from having a capacitive button right below the screen. Just need to type a little slower I'd say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'd say having software buttons and having capacitive buttons are both equally bad for this reason. This is why I prefer real physical buttons.

Tjotte said:
Type in landscape mode
Sent from my X10i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YT guy also agrees with you. Win. Win.

Try a keyboard on which you can set the height of the bottom row. Thumb keyboard for example or smart keyboard. Btw as the developer of thumb keyboard I plan to add an option to add extra space under the bottom row of the keyboard so it floats a bit above the keys.

They just need to make the softbuttons hide when the keyboard is open. Not hide completely but minimize so it would require 2 taps. One to maximize the buttons and one tap to go. Or shuffle them around. Or add a forth softbutton (search?) So the alignment isn't directly below it.
It happens even on my G2x. I think its just growing pains when moving into a larger screen. Going from a Nexus One to a G2x (3.7" to 4") messed up my typing until I got used to it.
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV

player911 said:
They just need to make the softbuttons hide when the keyboard is open. Not hide completely but minimize so it would require 2 taps. One to maximize the buttons and one tap to go. Or shuffle them around. Or add a forth softbutton (search?) So the alignment isn't directly below it.
It happens even on my G2x. I think its just growing pains when moving into a larger screen. Going from a Nexus One to a G2x (3.7" to 4") messed up my typing until I got used to it.
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Google just needs to figure out that having a virtual home button is a really ****ing dumb idea. Apple figured this out with the iPhone 1. Why the **** can't Google get a clue already?

Chirality said:
I think Google just needs to figure out that having a virtual home button is a really ****ing dumb idea. Apple figured this out with the iPhone 1. Why the **** can't Google get a clue already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a pill and chill on the language.

appelflap said:
Try a keyboard on which you can set the height of the bottom row. Thumb keyboard for example or smart keyboard. Btw as the developer of thumb keyboard I plan to add an option to add extra space under the bottom row of the keyboard so it floats a bit above the keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're the fellow behind Thumb Keyboard? I love TB Keyboard! I've emailed you a few times about custom auto-corrections. Please implement them soon! It's the only one single thing missing from TB Keyboard.
Edit: And yes, I can vouch. Thumb keyboard is excellent and allows you to adjust the space bar line.

onthecouchagain said:
You're the fellow behind Thumb Keyboard? I love TB Keyboard! I've emailed you a few times about custom auto-corrections. Please implement them soon! It's the only one single thing missing from TB Keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm working on a update in which I want to include the new spellchecking options offered by Ice cream sandwich. When working on it I also want to look at some options to customize the suggestion model. For now I'm planning to add the new ICS suggestion model as an option. For me it isn't as useful as the current suggestion model used, but I'm sure for others it will fit their typing style better.

Chirality said:
I think Google just needs to figure out that having a virtual home button is a really ****ing dumb idea. Apple figured this out with the iPhone 1. Why the **** can't Google get a clue already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settle it down a little bit man...

appelflap said:
I'm working on a update in which I want to include the new spellchecking options offered by Ice cream sandwich. When working on it I also want to look at some options to customize the suggestion model. For now I'm planning to add the new ICS suggestion model as an option. For me it isn't as useful as the current suggestion model used, but I'm sure for others it will fit their typing style better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds terrific.
Will custom auto corrections be in an update after that? I think since everyone types a little differently and thus makes their own mistakes, custom auto corrections will go a long way in helping everyone's typing. For example, I know I constantly hit "km" instead of "I'm". It'd be great if I could set up a custom correction where every single "km" typed will correct to "I'm."

landscape ftw tbh

Chirality said:
I think Google just needs to figure out that having a virtual home button is a really ****ing dumb idea. Apple figured this out with the iPhone 1. Why the **** can't Google get a clue already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Virtual buttons are awesome. They just need tweaks. Perhaps just reordered. Or perhaps make the icons further down on the screen and make the hit area smaller while the keyboard is up. There are lots of solutions.
Just needs tweaked.
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV

player911 said:
Virtual buttons are awesome. They just need tweaks. Perhaps just reordered. Or perhaps make the icons further down on the screen and make the hit area smaller while the keyboard is up. There are lots of solutions.
Just needs tweaked.
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's good about virtual buttons?

Chirality said:
What's good about virtual buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are virtual? (I had to guys.)
For starters? No physical buttons = bigger screens for the same real estate since you don't have to have the space for actual physical buttons and as an added bonus less complexity and chance of something physical breaking or going wrong in the device since it's all screen. You could argue that costs come down do to less hardware and time to actually make a device that's all screen. I'd also say if you wanted to add something down the line with the virtual buttons it's easy: software tweak.

You can do a lot more with software than you can with hardware.