Develop Bugs

Change a keyboard button to TAB

Is there a way to change a button on the keyboard (for example, the mail button) to TAB?
That way, we could press TAB to move from form to form when filling them out in a browser.
But most importantly, we could now use the ALT + TAB shortcut to switch between apps when in landscape mode?
Any suggestions?

The up/down arrow keys move the cursor from field to field.
Alt+tab would be nice but which key are you remapping to be the Alt key?

I've also posted on a similar topic, and a solution seems to be to modify the keymap files in the Windows folder.
See here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537818
The files are called like :
eT9.Rhodium.XXXX.kmap.txt
and for France, it is eT9.Rhodium.040C.kmap.txt. This was easy to find because it's the only AZERTY one, I don't know how you find the right one otherwise.
I tried for my "ç" problem (have "FN" + "c" give "ç"), and it works. I think it will work for "tab" instead of "message" (what a totally useless button...). You just need to know the "OX" code tab I think
On the way past, thanks to those you hepled me find this... Thanks to this, I can map many usefull buttons (as "FN" is free for about 10 keys, that gives me 10 free buttons to set).
HHarvey

I already have an ALT key as I lack a Fn key so I just need something for TAB

HarveyR said:
I've also posted on a similar topic, and a solution seems to be to modify the keymap files in the Windows folder.
See here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537818
The files are called like :
eT9.Rhodium.XXXX.kmap.txt
and for France, it is eT9.Rhodium.040C.kmap.txt. This was easy to find because it's the only AZERTY one, I don't know how you find the right one otherwise.
I tried for my "ç" problem (have "FN" + "c" give "ç"), and it works. I think it will work for "tab" instead of "message" (what a totally useless button...). You just need to know the "OX" code tab I think
On the way past, thanks to those you hepled me find this... Thanks to this, I can map many usefull buttons (as "FN" is free for about 10 keys, that gives me 10 free buttons to set).
HHarvey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you change it to a shortcut to an application or a function like TAB?

HarveyR said:
I tried for my "ç" problem (have "FN" + "c" give "ç"), and it works. I think it will work for "tab" instead of "message" (what a totally useless button...). You just need to know the "OX" code tab I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Tab key should be 0x09.
However, mapping Tab to the 'useless' message button does not work for me - anyone successful in doing that?

paphko said:
The Tab key should be 0x09.
However, mapping Tab to the 'useless' message button does not work for me - anyone successful in doing that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought but tried mapping it and no luck on my end as well.

vapor said:
Is there a way to change a button on the keyboard (for example, the mail button) to TAB?
That way, we could press TAB to move from form to form when filling them out in a browser.
But most importantly, we could now use the ALT + TAB shortcut to switch between apps when in landscape mode?
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no function in Windows Mobile as "ALT+TAB", set up your vain. U have to find a task manager program, which is a sign shortcut, and list a task menu.​

sancho1234 said:
There is no function in Windows Mobile as "ALT+TAB", set up your vain. U have to find a task manager program, which is a sign shortcut, and list a task menu.​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remembered doing this when I had the HTC Universal. That device had both the TAB and ALT button which was what made it possible and why I wanted to replicate it.

vapor said:
I remembered doing this when I had the HTC Universal. That device had both the TAB and ALT button which was what made it possible and why I wanted to replicate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.google.hu/search?q=windo...&rls=org.mozilla:hu:official&client=firefox-a

TAB key missing

Hi all
I've come over from the TP to the TP2 and I'm really missing the TAB key on the keyboard. Used it a bit. Is there anyway to map another key (maybe via FN) to perform the TAB function?

If you are just looking to move your text cursor between fields, the directional arrow buttons will do the job.

ohyeahar said:
If you are just looking to move your text cursor between fields, the directional arrow buttons will do the job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must maybe try that again... I've tried it before but it didn't always work.

Nope it doesn't work... problem is that when I'm in a block that has figures in it it will go forward in the same block instead of going to the next block. Anyone else with same other ideas?

take a look here:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Rhodium/ChangingKeyboardLayout
edit the file eT9.Rhodium.409.kmap.txt this way:
change this row:
{T T T T T 0x04}
in this row:
{T T T 0x09 0x09 0x04}
save the file as unicode and copy it to windows folder
now for tab key just type FN + T

Think I'm missing something. I've looked at the registry key and it says I'm using: eT9.Rhodium.www.kmap.txt but when I change this file absolutely nothing happens?? Should I still be chaning: eT9.Rhodium.409.kmap.txt although this is not the one according to my registry?

i did this mod time ago, but in my old touch pro the tab key did change between input fields, in touch pro 2 it only add a bounch of spaces (like when in text insertion) and doesn't switch fields...
is there a way to change the behaviour?

Need a Tab Button on touch pro2...
I have the same problem i need a tab button. I read in another thread how they remapped the Fn+t to = the tab but i dont think it is for the touch pro2
when i load the (eT9.Rhodium.www.kmap.txt) file nothing happeans. i did read in the text you have to change it to a unicode file but i couldn't figure out how to do that. Also many people have replied that you can use the arrow keys but as stated by "pieterbotes" if you are in a field for Example "typing in your name" you cannot move to another field for example " your password" with the arrow keys it the same thing on a Pc Keyboard only a tab button will allow you to do that. So if any of the great minds on this site have a answer it would be greatly appricated.
And does anyone agree that fn+q would be better than fn+t since the q is close to where the tab would be?
Thank You.
Duane

Don't know if you're interested, but i've found that Keyboard Config is pretty useful for stuff like this.

Sublimedelta9 said:
Don't know if you're interested, but i've found that Keyboard Config is pretty useful for stuff like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks...using your program fixed the problem for me...setting as tab fn+t using your program make the tab work as it should, changing beetween fields.

airon11 said:
thanks...using your program fixed the problem for me...setting as tab fn+t using your program make the tab work as it should, changing beetween fields.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you, but credit should go to Tarkim; It's his creation.

Sublimedelta9 said:
Glad it worked for you, but credit should go to Tarkim; It's his creation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks anyway for pointing me to it..
anyway reading the thread i don't know why i was sure you was the programmer..maybe i misread a post..
=)

airon11 said:
thanks...using your program fixed the problem for me...setting as tab fn+t using your program make the tab work as it should, changing beetween fields.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please copy and paste here the eT9.Rhodium.409.kmap.txt file content?
This .txt file is located in /Windows folder... check also if it exist another eT9...txt file...
I'm interested notably in this row: {T T T x x 0x04} (what's instead X?)
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

it' {T T T 0x09 0x09 0x04}
but i edited it.
in that way you have the tab key but it add spaces and does not change fields..
using the key remapper instead and sendink the keystroke to the os works as expected...

That program works brilliant. Thanks.

[App][(W)VGA]MulkeyTouch - A Multi-Touch Keyboard on WinMo Resistive Screens

It's really truly able to have a multi-touch keyboard on a resistive screen WinMo!!
it may takes some time.but then how many people would still use Windows Phone classic(except HD2)?!
MulkeyTouch = MultiTouch Key(board)
for more introduces pls read the following Notice.
Requirements
WVGA/VGA resolution[actually the technology works for all resistive screen-devices]
.NET CF 3.5 or higher
How it comes true?
read my first thread:
Multi 2.0 - Show and Explain Dual-Touch Technology On Resistive Screens
Here're some pictures(I've tried making a demo video.but it doesn't seem good.these are the shots of the video)
It's a WP7-style keyboard.It hasn't been finished.it can be used to input letters only..no numbers or symbols but "." and ","
[I used a stylus just to let you see more clearly.]And it proves that the screen is resistive.(It's TP2)
Notice
multi-touch keyboard
= dual-touch keyboard
= you can hold Shift key and press any letters' key at the same time to input capital letters
but you can't press two letters' key at the same time.it doesn't makes sense.
as my limited ability,i'm not able to write a real keyboard (in Native code.)
this is an 'app-in' keyboard..
(the keyboard have to run in the app.you can't use it to input texts to any other textboxes outside the app.)
But it shows the capability of having a multi-touch keyboard on resistive screen.
and of course it can be developed as a real system keyboard.
it doesn't work very well.the second key it detects may not the key you press especially when the key is far from the Shift key(such as P,O,I,L,K)..
but it's possible to add a function to modify the position values so that it can detect properly.
so i make another app called Modifine.(means to "modify" something to make it "fine")
but the modified result doesn't seem very good yet-.-!!...
Much better now..
Download
The NEW file MulKeyTouch 1.0 - (W)VGA.7z works for WVGA and VGA resolutions!
It has only one .exe file.but you'd better extract it to any one directory before run it.
cuz it'll create an Modifine.txt file on the directory to enable Modifine mod.
Please read the next post about how to use.

How to use it.
There are 4 ways to input captial letters:
[Normal way]Input 1 captial letters.Just press the "Shift" key then click any letter's key.
[Normal way]Input ≥1 captial letters.Click the "Shift" key twice then you can keep inputing captial letters
[Quick way]Input 1 captial letters.Hold the "Shift" key then move to any letter's key.It's a better way to input letters that near the "Shift" key such as "Z","A","Q","X",etc.
[Quick dual-touch way]Input ≥1 captial letters.Hold the "Shift" key and press any letter's key.
About Modifine
Does the second key it detects is not the key you are pressing on?
In particular the keys far from Shift key such as "P","O","L"
Then you may have to modify the position it gets.
Different screen may has its own dual-touch ability.
So you'll have modified values set by yourself.
1.Click "Modifine" button.
2.Click "Start Modifine!" button.
3.Hold the central of the "Shift" key.
4.Immediately draw follow the green line from lower left corner to top right corner.
5.Click "Back" button.
6.Enable the Modifine mode by click the "Smile" key(it's on the lower left corner of MKT keyboard.NOT the "Modifine" form's keyboard.)
7.Test it by input captial letters in the [Quick dual-touch way]
A much better way to see where the modified position go:
Check the "Show touch points" checkbox on Modifine form.
You can see two points while you input captial letters that are near the top right corner.
Red Point - original detected touch point
Green Point - modified point
I know there's a bug that the new points come but old points were not cleared.as i think you can find out the latest points.and for better running speed.i'm not going to fix it now.
PS.the app's icon(in 32x32 size) writes "没课逃~" which means "No classes to be skipped" in Chinese.
and Chinese pinyin of the three characters is "Mei Ke Tao",whose shortened (is MKT) is the same as MulKeyTouch's.
I use it to commemorate my dropping out of school~
Sorry for my poor English.

looks promising. keep up the good work

Woah! this is Awesome.. but i use Android on my HD2...whatever..
YOU GET A COOKIE! (Thanks)
Dude keep up the Awesome work..
now thank me for thanking your a** x'P

nice one bro, keep it up!

plz release for qvga.
thanks!

I believe many members will stay on WM for a while
Thanks!

It seems that you like WP7 keyboard
Gorgeous work. I'll look on it right away!

So, unfortunately, I cannot test the keyboard properly because I'm running VGA device (Diamond) and the textbox overlays the keyboard from the top. Maybe you can set Anchor property to TextBox? or there maybe is another way to change the textbox size dynamically?
otherwise it looks neat

If you need any help in implement the Multitouch for the HD2, write me a message

PaulosCZ said:
So, unfortunately, I cannot test the keyboard properly because I'm running VGA device (Diamond) and the textbox overlays the keyboard from the top. Maybe you can set Anchor property to TextBox? or there maybe is another way to change the textbox size dynamically?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx for ur feedback!
MulKeyTouch 1.0 - (W)VGA.7z is released.it works for WVGA and VGA resolutions.
deepv84 said:
plz release for qvga.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry.may not..
thx all~

支持中国朋友~呵呵~非常感谢~

[Q] DZ Sym Key Menu

Is it possible to add additional symbols to the sym key menu with the stock sense rom?

This I would like to know as well. For example how do you write the "less then", "more then" symbols on the HW keyboard?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I actually dropped HTC a query on this, and their reply can be summed up as one big "no" without suggestions for any workarounds.
My query to them:
Hi,
Using my Desire Z, I realise that when I have the slide-out keyboard open and would like to type certain symbols such as "<" and ">", it is not possible to do so. The "Sym" key only pulls up a short list of special characters, not including the above 2 examples.
Is there any alternatives other than to use the on-screen keyboard?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their reply (with no answer to an alternative):
Thank you for contacting HTC. With reference to your query, we are sorry to tell you that the symbols not showing on the slide-out keyboard can not be input nowhere other than the on-screen keyboard. Thank you for your continuous support of our products and services. Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again. We look forward to be of service to you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

For now, it's seems that the only way to get the other symbols is to map the keys yourself.

[N2E] Nook Touch - App Support for Hardware Buttons

I don't know about everyone else but I would love to see apps that support our Nook's hardware buttons for scrolling and turning pages. I created an small app just to find out exactly what these buttons were. I have attached the test apk and the source for it.
The buttons generate a KeyEvent that can be captured in the normal manner for handling key presses.
Left top button - 92
Left bottom button - 93
Right top button - 94
Right bottom button - 95
All the developer has to do is test for those in addition to whatever they are already monitoring for. I am going to begin emailing developers with this information and see if I get any "takers". I have emailed the following and will post a status here if I hear back:
Kindle - 5/16: Received an email saying the suggestion would be forwarded on to the appropriate development group
NewsRob (via google group) - 5/16: The developer is going to add page up/down and article up/down support!
FeedR - 5/16: Email sent
Aldiko - 5/16: Email sent
FBReader - 5/16: Email sent
In addition I am going to add hardware button support to some open source apps. I have located a number of open source RSS apps:
http://code.google.com/p/feedgoal/
http://code.google.com/p/feeddroid/
http://code.google.com/p/reader/
As an example of what we can do I have attached an updated FeedGoal where I have added support for the hardware buttons to scroll up and down on a feed article.
Update 5/17/2011:
I have modified the Browser from the stock Eclair to support page buttons and compiled it. When I try to start it on the Nook it comes up and then shuts down. One of the times I saw a "signing in" box. My thoughts is that it is trying to do something that requires gapps on the phone? If anyone has any ideas I'd be glad to try them.

* Reserved

Keys are actually
key 407 RIGHT_NEXTPAGE
key 412 LEFT_NEXTPAGE
key 139 LEFT_PREVPAGE
key 158 RIGHT_PREVPAGE

xboxexpert said:
Keys are actually
key 407 RIGHT_NEXTPAGE
key 412 LEFT_NEXTPAGE
key 139 LEFT_PREVPAGE
key 158 RIGHT_PREVPAGE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those numbers are the scancodes from the keymap file TWL4030_Keypad.kl. If you are wanting to watch for key inputs in an Android application you override the "onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)" method and the "int keycode" that get's printed out is 92-95.
The format of the keymap file (TWL4030_Keypad.kl) is "key SCANCODE KEYCODE [FLAGS...]". In your example 407 is the SCANCODE and "RIGHT_NEXTPAGE" is the KEYCODE. The numerical value of "RIGHT_NEXTPAGE" is either 94 or 95 depending on how you set your Nook up.
If someone wants give the two attached apk's and test and verify (I've already ran them myself) that they do work as intended that would be great.
- The TouchTest should print out 92-95 (keycode) on the screen when you press them.
- The FeedGoal should page up and down when you press the right or left side keys. I may go back and change the left side to be page up/down and the right side to be article back/forward.

ReadItLater
I add a ticket to ReaditLater Support Forum.
http://support.readitlaterlist.com/...droid-support-for-nook-touch-hardware-buttons
update:
i contact the dev of electrodroid, too
are there new answers from the devs?

If you remaps two keys to VOLUME_UP and VOLUME_DOWN, almost all reading-centric programs work will hardware buttons. I have tested:
Read It Later
Kindle
Aldiko
FBreader
CoolReader
Moon+Reader
RSSdaemon
NewsRob
BuzzBox RSS reader
They all works with remapped buttons.

aruangra said:
If you remaps two keys to VOLUME_UP and VOLUME_DOWN, almost all reading-centric programs work will hardware buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, of course.
but this is just a workaround and i already recognized that there are situations where i have to take the nook in the other hand to turn a page...
for example: i use the left keys remapped to volume for readitlater, so i can only use the right keys on the default reader app (which i prefer).
i think for some apps you will always have to do this remapping, especially for the kindle app in my thougts.
and it seems to me that the devs will easily can integrate this buttons in their apps.
a lot of other apps are already working with the default mapping:
e-mail
twicca
titanium backup
root explorer
alogcat
autostarts
moon+
...

Is there no way to remap the hardware buttons using like a driver software (sorry, completely noob regarding android software). Remapped buttons would help on repligo and ezpdf, my preferred readers.

I liked seeing the NewsRob support in the change log. But it only scrolls half a page down so you have to hit it twice.
I found that my old technique of remapping the key to SPACE worked better; SPACE is a page-down shortcut for most WebView apps. Unfortunately my SHIFT SPACE mapping in the layout file seemed to ignore the shift part. :-(
Android 3.0 adds real page up/down keys finally, so more apps should support the keycodes then. This isn't just a Nook issue; I've been trying to fix this on my Galaxy Tab too.
I blame Apple for not including a page down function because it's so "cool" to flick the screen around. Hope you have good timing.

Good news, everyone!
This weekend I received reply from FBReader authors. Here is the translation:
Since version 1.1.3 FBReader is able to read external file with actions mapped to keys. One can put keymap.xml file into main directory, which is /sdcard/Books by default.
File format can be seen in example:
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<keymap>
<binding key="4" action="cancelMenu"/>
<binding key="23" action="processHyperlink"/>
<binding key="24" action="volumeKeyScrollBackward"/>
<binding key="25" action="volumeKeyScrollForward"/>
<binding key="66" action="processHyperlink"/>
</keymap>
All possible actions are here:
Code:
String SHOW_LIBRARY = "library";
String SHOW_PREFERENCES = "preferences";
String SHOW_BOOK_INFO = "bookInfo";
String SHOW_TOC = "toc";
String SHOW_BOOKMARKS = "bookmarks";
String SHOW_NETWORK_LIBRARY = "networkLibrary";
String SWITCH_TO_NIGHT_PROFILE = "night";
String SWITCH_TO_DAY_PROFILE = "day";
String SEARCH = "search";
String FIND_PREVIOUS = "findPrevious";
String FIND_NEXT = "findNext";
String CLEAR_FIND_RESULTS = "clearFindResults";
String SET_TEXT_VIEW_MODE_VISIT_HYPERLINKS = "hyperlinksOnlyMode";
String SET_TEXT_VIEW_MODE_VISIT_ALL_WORDS = "dictionaryMode";
String TURN_PAGE_BACK = "previousPage";
String TURN_PAGE_FORWARD = "nextPage";
String VOLUME_KEY_SCROLL_FORWARD = "volumeKeyScrollForward";
String VOLUME_KEY_SCROLL_BACK = "volumeKeyScrollBackward";
String SHOW_MENU = "menu";
String SHOW_NAVIGATION = "navigate";
String GO_BACK = "goBack";
String EXIT = "exit";
String SHOW_CANCEL_MENU = "cancelMenu";
String ROTATE = "rotate";
String INCREASE_FONT = "increaseFont";
String DECREASE_FONT = "decreaseFont";
String PROCESS_HYPERLINK = "processHyperlink";
String SELECTION_SHOW_PANEL = "selectionShowPanel";
String SELECTION_HIDE_PANEL = "selectionHidePanel";
String SELECTION_CLEAR = "selectionClear";
String SELECTION_COPY_TO_CLIPBOARD = "selectionCopyToClipboard";
String SELECTION_SHARE = "selectionShare";
String SELECTION_TRANSLATE = "selectionTranslate";
String SELECTION_BOOKMARK = "selectionBookmark";
Program must be restarted in order to pick up changes in config file.
Can anyone test if this really works? I can't test it right now.
And, I suggest to make a donation to this wonderful program authors.
Cheers.

Great news!
If other developers would do the same, we'd be in heaven.
I'll only be able to try it tomorrow, but I'll inform as soon as I do it.

DenisTheMenace said:
Good news, everyone!
This weekend I received reply from FBReader authors. Here is the translation:
Since version 1.1.3 FBReader is able to read external file with actions mapped to keys. One can put keymap.xml file into main directory, which is /sdcard/Books by default.
Program must be restarted in order to pick up changes in config file.
Can anyone test if this really works? I can't test it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! It works very nicely with FBReader. My keymap.xml file:
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<keymap>
<binding key="92" action="nextPage"/>
<binding key="93" action="previousPage"/>
<binding key="94" action="nextPage"/>
<binding key="95" action="previousPage"/>
</keymap>
Does anyone know the key number of the Nook button? It's quite useless for FBReader and it would be nice to remap it to some other function. Thanks!

Anyone thought of trying to create a service that'd catch the button presses outside of the stock apps that'd then send the right command for whatever. For example if you press the page forward button or page backward button in stock apps it'd function as designed. If you push it somewhere else like within your custom launcher or another app it'd perform as menu/home/back whatever

GabrialDestruir said:
Anyone thought of trying to create a service that'd catch the button presses outside of the stock apps that'd then send the right command for whatever. For example if you press the page forward button or page backward button in stock apps it'd function as designed. If you push it somewhere else like within your custom launcher or another app it'd perform as menu/home/back whatever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes for remapping the n-button. See this post. But still haven't had the time to do it. Too busy with work.

GabrialDestruir said:
Anyone thought of trying to create a service that'd catch the button presses outside of the stock apps that'd then send the right command for whatever. For example if you press the page forward button or page backward button in stock apps it'd function as designed. If you push it somewhere else like within your custom launcher or another app it'd perform as menu/home/back whatever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've started working on exactly this during this weekend. I have so far succeeded in creating service that runs in the background and makes the upper left button a "HOME" button - meaning it shows the home activity of your choice rather than the built in menu like the n button. I'll be glad to give more technical details on what I have learned so far (when I have time, probably next weekend).
In the mean time, I would like input from other users as to some specifics on how it should work.
Here is my current vision:
- Have option to start the service manually or automatically start at boot (currently hard coded to start a boot)
- The keylayout files can remain untouched so that they still work properly for the stock applications
- the service will be aware of what Activity is in the foreground and remap purpose the buttons accordingly.
- there will be a settings Activity that lets you choose the functionality of each button on a per application basis
- the choices will to be to broadcast an Intent or to create a virtual key press (for example, my "HOME" button does not actually cause a HOME key press, but broadcasts a act...MAIN cat...HOME intent, my next experiment will be to send Vol Up/Down keys when Kindle app is running)
And this is slightly off topic, but I would like put this on sourceforge or google so that others can contribute and have easy access to it. I've never done that before, so advice on this would be appreciated.

mycr0ft said:
but I would like put this on sourceforge or google so that others can contribute and have easy access to it. I've never done that before, so advice on this would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I suggest github? git is much more sophisticated than CVS/SVN and their clones.
I basically agree with the app functionality. May be I will take part in implementation (I wish there will be ~36-48 hours in a day )

Thanks for the advice. github looks promising.
Anyone interested can have a look:
Code:
https://github.com/mycr0ft/nook-touch-button-service
I've run into a bit of a problem with simulating a key press. The android developers have not made it easy (which is good for device security).
- I have tried Instrumentation.sendKey..., but that only works withing the same application. Even with the INJECT_EVENT permission, you cannot inject events into other applications (unless they are signed by the same packager). Repackaging every single app that you load does not sound like a good option.
- I have tried using the 'sendevent' shell command. This appears to be limited to only duplicating scan codes keys that actually exist.
- I am currently trying to compile uinput driver (available in the source code download from bn) and load it using insmod. I am stuck here for the time being because I can't figure out how to get it to compile to the right kernel version (version magic mismatch in dmesg)

I think you will need root to inject a key event in an other app
You can look at the SoftKeys source code (here), it may help you.
In the past, SoftKeys used a script called "input" to inject events (according to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10497165&postcount=309) but now it seems that it uses something else ...

mdall, thanks very much. this is very useful information.

Droid Comic Viewer
I think also Droid Comic Viewer would benefit from hardware buttons support.
It's a nice little comic reader app supporting all relevant formats (CBR, CBZ, ACV & image formats). Animations can be disabled and there's no dependency with touchscreen interface (it can be entirely operated with button actions). This would make it perfect for an e-ink screen.
I sent an email to the devs today, let's hope they get back to us!