Just got a G2 and fired up addictinggames.com to test the flash out. Then I realized that there are no arrow keys to control the games. Seems like a waste to have 2.2 out of the box and not be able to use all the features. Any work arounds?
ransu said:
Just got a G2 and fired up addictinggames.com to test the flash out. Then I realized that there are no arrow keys to control the games. Seems like a waste to have 2.2 out of the box and not be able to use all the features. Any work arounds?
On that note I could have done without the programmable quick keys that you can't program anything useful for.
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Click to collapse
Does the optical pad do directional control?
Yeah the trackpad works as directional, but its no good for games where you have to hold down a particular direction.
The G1 doesn't have any arrow keys, neither does the Nexus One or the Vibrant. What makes you think a phone comes with arrow keys?
Err most qwerty phones do have arrow keys. Also this is one of the few full flash supporting ones. You'd expect arrow keys. I was surprised.
No worries. PM me a list of games you want to play and I'll add them to my "Flash Game Packs" (I'm optimizing flash games for on screen controls)
I'm sure someone somewhere has written a small app that would allow you to assign directional keys to any keys on your keypad.
maybe assign IJKL as a D-pad while holding down shift and alt at the same time. so you could use your left hand to activate it and right hand to move. lol
any updates?
coming from a lg eve is really upsetting not to have arrow keys!
Look through the forums for hardware button remapping. It is fairly simple.
Related
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
fortunz said:
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
poetryrocksalot said:
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
fortunz said:
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
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Click to collapse
haha that's hilarious
DPad Desire
I just got my TP2 a few days ago, my personal desire would be a DPAD app that uses the whole keyboard, so generically pressing rowards the left of the keys is left (like Q,W,A,S,D), towards the top is up (like 4,5,6,R,T,Y) etc. etc.
Then an assignable button for select, like space bar or FN.
Anyway, it would make sense to me and be easier to use especially for games , I find the DPAD being on the bottom right a bit annoying but they've done a good job fitting it all in!
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
so HOW can you map different actions to the zoom slider? like scroll?!
petard said:
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
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Click to collapse
He spaced the hell outta himself one time.. pissing of an employee at SE so he wouldnt give us valuable info anymore on a new phone that comes out in the end of the year
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
QUOTE]
this may be your oponion, but that's no reason for putting other people down.
personnaly i use the volume buttons as up/down. thsi works very wel if you are scrolling in your emails. if i want to clean up my mailbox i can scroll the mails and delete them with my left soft-key. ik i tap the email is opened, but i dont always want to open the mail because this is time-consuming.
So you see, for some people these functions can be very usefull.
So please have an open mind en don't think you opinion is the only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xdadJeroen said:
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive seen the reviews. The OS is bs its generally a bs phone. Wouldnt bother with it. Although fingerprint scanner is very cool.
On topic: SCROLL WITH ZOOM BAR! Had the wheel as a scroller on my TP and i want similar on my TP2
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the Topaz? It doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard or a D-pad.
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG. Somebody is a grumpy-pants and got up on the wrong side of the bed.
This phone would be almost perfect if it had a scroll wheel or a D-pad. This device uses WM6.1 and this is the norm for WM6.1 (this may change with WM6.5)
I can easily envision how the use of the zoom bar or the volume buttons as a scroll wheel or d-pad replacement could work efficiently and better than the "freaking" stylus. All because you lack the vision to make it work doesn't mean that it cannot work well.
For example. The zoom bar could have five zones: up, left, select, right, & down. Just put some tape over the zoom bar with the map, and viola.
Also, what about phones like the Topaz? Where's the "freaking" arrow keys or the enter/select key?
You may be content with the phone, but others may not.
is there another keyboard that has arrows like the one on the bottom of the stock 2.2 keyboard? i like the stock keyboard in all but its not like the multitouch droid keyboard. i wish someone could put those arrows on that keyboard
Swype has a special editing keyboard, by swyping from the Swype key to the SYM key.
Alternatively, there's a keyboard called Full Keyboard in the market. It's not great for day-to-day typing, and doesn't have a horizontal mode, but it has all of the editing keys you could want (arrows, del, insert, etc.) as well as Ctrl+*letter* keys, making it great for SSH sessions in ConnectBot.
I've been using the demo of Smart Keyboard, available in the Market. You tap the number key twice and it brings up a screen with arrows, a delete key, Tab and and Enter key. Then you switch back by hitting the ABC key. The skin I'm using is the iPhone skin. It has small spaces between the keys. It works for me.
I really like SwiftKey the best. It not only guesses the words you're typing, but also the next word. Works really well, but no arrows.
I also found a useful little app that allows you to have a virtual trackball, called Virtual Trackball. It's useful for moving around when you're trying to edit text. It also allows for a virtual d-pad. It's in the Market and costs .99 Euro. I think it's worth it. The developer is very responsive and is adding more features. I used to have trouble with it going away when running a lot of apps, but the new update seems to have made it persist better. If it disappears, you just hold on the home key to bring up recent apps and turn it on again.
I'm coming from a phone with a trackball... a MyTouch 3G that I had kept current thanks to CyanogenMod. This is much better lol.
I used that trackball though, all the time, mostly for selecting text that I'd screwed up... or to move the cursor between words where I wanted to add a sentence. But sometimes was nice too, for moving to the next form field, or scrolling focus to the "submit" button, etc.
I'm pretty happy with my Swiftkey X keyboard - it's got an option to enable arrow keys. I'm surprised Swype doesn't? I'm used to Swype and really would like to use that.
So my question is twofold:
Any other good keyboards with either a simulated trackpad or arrow keys?
and/or...
How do you live without it? I can adapt if I know the tricks.
geolemon said:
I'm coming from a phone with a trackball... a MyTouch 3G that I had kept current thanks to CyanogenMod. This is much better lol.
I used that trackball though, all the time, mostly for selecting text that I'd screwed up... or to move the cursor between words where I wanted to add a sentence. But sometimes was nice too, for moving to the next form field, or scrolling focus to the "submit" button, etc.
I'm pretty happy with my Swiftkey X keyboard - it's got an option to enable arrow keys. I'm surprised Swype doesn't? I'm used to Swype and really would like to use that.
So my question is twofold:
Any other good keyboards with either a simulated trackpad or arrow keys?
and/or...
How do you live without it? I can adapt if I know the tricks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hackers keyboard is nice. Has the four arrows and a number row. Plus you can enlarge or reduce the keys.
The best solution I have found so far is an app called GameKeyboard. The dpad simulates the repeated keypress of a held down arrow key, or joystick (which is essential for many games).
However, it has bugs, and the qwerty mode is slow (you swipe horizontally across the keyboard to switch between gamepad mode and keyboard mode). I enable it specifically for games, and then switch back to my main keyboard (i.e. swype) for everything else.
Here's a link:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.locnet.gamekeyboard
in swype there is an arrow option. swype from the swype/option button to the sym/123 button and a arrow keypad comes up. also from sym/123 button to "f" brings up a number pad.
thumb keyboard has arrows
Ok something that we are recently finding out, which is a cause for some xperia play owners to have issues with "O" button on their game pad. It seems Stock or so maps the button as "BACK ALT" while some other roms map it as "BUTTON_B"
The "X" button is mapped as "Dpad_center" which also acts as a confirm, or open app button. Again some roms remap this as "Button_A"
Now when its mapped as Center and Back Alt, it means those buttons will be used as another way to open, click or esc/back out of things. Which some games and apps would close out or act up. (Not all apps tho, since alot of devs allow mapping to be different for XP)
While if its mapped as Button_A and B then its a truly separate button for use that doesnt interfere with normal android or app use unless its mapped to use that exact button.
So the question to everyone here. Which do you feel should be the standard for roms and apps? The generic use of confirm and back for X and O or would you rather those buttons not be used for anything other then what you want it for in your app and game.
Cause devs who make their apps have to tell their app to assume that "O" and "X" are "x mapping in the keypad_zeus.kl file" If its not correct then we wind up with people saying "gamepad buttons dont work!"
So XDA, which should be the standard?
Standard mapping for X and O is:
X - Alternate Center Key
O - Alternate Back Key
Altough these buttons have different IDs so they are recognized as totally different buttons - O ≠ normal back key, but acts the same.
No android-related mapping for another keys such as ▲ and ■ BUT L and R are mapped in Timescape app to switch between windows ;-)
Personally I like this mapping. I was a little bit surprised when I realized that X was center and O was back. I thought that it will be different buttons such as A and B (because ■ and ▲ are recognized as X and Y) and I was wrong. But it's always good to operate through android with our dedicated gamepad but I think it should be supported better. F.e. bringing status bar down when you swipe on touchpad down and bringimg it back up when you swipe up. It would be cool ;-)
Sent from my beautiful Xperia PLAY using xda premium
Yea which seems diff roms have been changing this standard. Since those buttons even as "alt" act the same as normal ones. Seems to be an issue in some apps. While I dont mind keeping it as the official way, it still brings up the questions. =)
Mysticales said:
Yea which seems diff roms have been changing this standard. Since those buttons even as "alt" act the same as normal ones. Seems to be an issue in some apps. While I dont mind keeping it as the official way, it still brings up the questions. =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thing, Mysticales, there are like... 16 different KL files in CM keylayout. There are maybe 5 or 6 in the other ROMS I looked through. There are also three different 304 and 305 entries in the CM keylayout, while only one in the others that I looked at.
So confusing eh?
I like keeping the X button as keypad center, but having the O button as button B. Woo 3rd option
It seems to me that since Sony is the one who created the SEXP, they would know what mapping is correct for it. From everything I can see, BACK ALT and DPAD_CENTER are the mappings they chose, and therefore the right mappings. Why do I say this? Games dev'd for the xperia play are going to be dev'd using those mappings, and not button_a or button_b.
jacklebott said:
I like keeping the X button as keypad center, but having the O button as button B. Woo 3rd option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im with you on this one. =p Too bad I didnt put that as an option. What we need is a rom that has an option to toggle which modes we want.
Ok, I'm new to Android with this Note 10.1 2014, and I have what should be an easy question. On the stock keyboard, is there a faster way to use the alternate functions of the keys? Like, adding a question mark or apostrophe, for instance. Do I actually have to hold the key down until it changes to the 2nd character? I've been searching for a shortcut, but obviously not good enough. Thanks!
Bottom left of the Keyboard there is a button with the lettering "Sym" (Symbol), hopefully this helps, mind you I don't own this tablet but that's my guess from watching video reviews :silly:
Google stock keyboard can also be installed from the play store. I like the stock one pretty well be googles spell correct is much much better
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
haterbait said:
Ok, I'm new to Android with this Note 10.1 2014, and I have what should be an easy question. On the stock keyboard, is there a faster way to use the alternate functions of the keys? Like, adding a question mark or apostrophe, for instance. Do I actually have to hold the key down until it changes to the 2nd character? I've been searching for a shortcut, but obviously not good enough. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, with Samsung stock keyboards there is a key on the bottom left labeled "Sym" touch that and it'll change the keyboards QWERTY keys into symbols. Once you press that, the capitalization key that's right above "Sym" will turn into a key labeled "1/2", pressing that will give you another set of less commonly used symbols.
You'll notice the "Sym" key has turned into an "ABC" key when you switch to symbols. Touching that goes back to your regular keyboard. It's a billion times less complicated then how it sounds with my description, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Also, welcome to Android.
Thanks. I was hoping for something like iphones have where you swipe from the SYM button over to the punctuation then upon releasing the key, the keyboard reverts back to the ABC keyboard. Just a bit quicker, I think. Of course, they've probably copyrighted that function and would viciously defend it against imitators!
haterbait said:
Thanks. I was hoping for something like iphones have where you swipe from the SYM button over to the punctuation then upon releasing the key, the keyboard reverts back to the ABC keyboard. Just a bit quicker, I think. Of course, they've probably copyrighted that function and would viciously defend it against imitators!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, it can very well have that. It's never occurred to me to try it. These android keyboards do have swype, which is done by gliding your finger across the keys and words and sentences are formed without ever lifting your finger, so give it a try.
The beautiful thing about android keyboards over their iPhone variant, is the freedom you have to choose from tons of different ones on the marketplace. Different keyboards with different key placements, different levels of customizations, pretty much if you can think of it, it exists. So if your not happy with what shipped with your device nobody is forcing you to use it like Apple does. Head over to the Play Store and find something you like better.
One keyboard app called Swiftkey, is a personal favorite of mine, it's lightening quick to use and very customizable. There's a reason why it's the #1 purchased app on the store. So give it a try and remember you have a 15 minute refund policy with Android, so if you don't like it just return it.
On the playstore, try “multiling O keyboard”
You'll get all the customization you desire.
Sent from my GT-p6800 using XDA Premium HD app
My favorite keyboard is "Thumb Keyboard" from Beansoft. I've been using it since my Xoom a few years ago. I like that it's split in half so when you're in landscape, you hold the tablet with 2 hands and use both thumbs without having to let go to get to keys in the middle. I'm not affiliated with the developer or anything, I just think it's a cool keyboard and I thought I'd share. :good:
Thanks Everyone
Another feature that I'm liking is the floating keyboard. It allows me to use the Spen to quickly swipe text with the keyboard in the corner of the screen. It seems like that keyboard lags though, unfortunately. I'll look into other options in the store then. Thanks again.
The new SwiftKey does the "floating" thing. It's fantastic. Plus you can customize the long-press duration.
SomeGuyDude said:
The new SwiftKey does the "floating" thing. It's fantastic. Plus you can customize the long-press duration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just noticed that swiftkey has a free version in the marketplace. I thought it was pay only. Anyways, hater give it a try. It can be highly personalized to match your style of typing. At first it might feel like it's not giving you what you expect, but that's only because it hasn't learned from you yet. After using for short while it'll learn your finger movements, what words you like to use, your style, etc. It's mind boggling how well it gets to know you and if you login with your Google account you can install swift key on any other Android device in the future and it'll carry that knowledge of your tendencies with it.
The free version seems to be a limited trial of 1 month. I am liking it though! The swipe typing seems a bit more accurate for my sloppy typing/swiping.