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better input keyboard

I'm trying to find a large screen keyboard that I can use with my fingers instead of the stylus. Can anyone recommend a good one to use.. any freeware or otherwise.
Thanks

I like thumbkeys (or bigkeys) or something like that. It changed name.
Not free, but for me, nicely skinnable, i wrote a skinner for it and made a couple of thumb friendly layouts.
Many similar, but I like this for the effort.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
V

Spb Full Screen Keyboard - it's just been updated to version 3 with portrait (real qwerty, not offset like above) and landscape modes, WM2K3/5 support and a number of other features like spelling correction/learning.

Thanks for that, but I couldn't find thumbkeys or bigkeys on google.
I did come across Tengo Thumb.. I'm downloading it now, hopefully it's good.
If you have a link to your app that would be great.

mtbsoft said:
Spb Full Screen Keyboard - it's just been updated to version 3 with portrait (real qwerty, not offset like above) and landscape modes, WM2K3/5 support and a number of other features like spelling correction/learning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just what I'm after... Thank you!!

Sorry, touch keyboard:
http://www.orthancsoftware.com/TKeyboard.htm
mtbsoft: my keyboard layout is not by accident, it's by design.
Print it out and try typing with it using one thumb.
I find it better (on a smaller screen like the Magician) then the standard QWERTY. I also use a fullscreen landscape keyboard using regular qwerty, for two thumbs.
I also did a modified fitaly and some others for symbols, calculator layout for numbers etc. But I use this one daily.
(SPB's fullscreen portrait)
I'm sure most keyboard apps are fully skinnable now though.
V

vijay555 said:
Sorry, touch keyboard:
http://www.orthancsoftware.com/TKeyboard.htm
mtbsoft: my keyboard layout is not by accident, it's by design.
Print it out and try typing with it using one thumb.
I find it better (on a smaller screen like the Magician) then the standard QWERTY. I also use a fullscreen landscape keyboard using regular qwerty, for two thumbs.
I also did a modified fitaly and some others for symbols, calculator layout for numbers etc. But I use this one daily.
(SPB's fullscreen portrait)
I'm sure most keyboard apps are fully skinnable now though.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks ，i will try

Tip for an on-screen keyboard only with directional arrows?

Hi everyone, I bought Samsung Epix, which is a wonderful device, except that the optical joystick/touchpad sucks.
So, I wanted to ask if you know about software keyboard that would contain only directional arrows (as for example navigating a word or two back is a catastrophe - the touchpad reacts with delay, and it takes a lot of attempts to put the cursor where I wanted - and using it in mouse mode to click between two concrete letters is a pain too).
I created a mockup of what I would like - is there existing keyboard like this, or some lightweight skinnable one for which I could make an arrows-only skin?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Thank you!

Great idea, but it doesn't exist because the Epix and the Saga are the only phones that really need this.

FingerKeyboard skin
Some time ago, when I used FingerKeyboard 2.0, I wanted this same thing and did it by "cheating." Make made layout in another language and put only the four arrow keys that layout. If you use FingerKeyboard, doing this isn't diffficult as the skins are just text files.
If you'd like me to dig through my old files, I can look for my skin, However, I have a lot lined up as work this week and probably won't get to it until Friday.

manicotti said:
Some time ago, when I used FingerKeyboard 2.0, I wanted this same thing and did it by "cheating." Make made layout in another language and put only the four arrow keys that layout. If you use FingerKeyboard, doing this isn't diffficult as the skins are just text files.
If you'd like me to dig through my old files, I can look for my skin, However, I have a lot lined up as work this week and probably won't get to it until Friday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that shouldn't be necessary - just a tip for a concrete configurable SIP and the 'custom language' trick is enough, thank you!

Landscape keyboard?

Hi everyone!
I stopped using the dodgy default keyboard and switched to the HTC keyboard. Wow, it's a whole new phone now! One question though, I use IM a lot (ebuddy, msntalk and msndroid) and everytime I go to the landscape keyboard, it fills up the whole screen so I cannot see what someone has just said while I'm typing. Is there anyway to stop the landscape keyboard from filling up the whole screen (similar to the iPhone)?
Thanks!

Better Keyboard
Herr Noobien said:
Hi everyone!
I stopped using the dodgy default keyboard and switched to the HTC keyboard. Wow, it's a whole new phone now! One question though, I use IM a lot (ebuddy, msntalk and msndroid) and everytime I go to the landscape keyboard, it fills up the whole screen so I cannot see what someone has just said while I'm typing. Is there anyway to stop the landscape keyboard from filling up the whole screen (similar to the iPhone)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Better keyboard with custom skins keyboard sizes its accurate and fast and doesn't use the whole screen cost as little a couple of dollars with load of additional skins to install too for free.

Doesn't quite work. When I go into landscape mode on ebuddy the keyboard and textbox still cover the whole screen. Is there a setting to remove the textbox so I can see what is going on in the app?
I need something like this:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
As opposed to this:
Thanks

Herr Noobien said:
Hi everyone!
I stopped using the dodgy default keyboard and switched to the HTC keyboard. Wow, it's a whole new phone now! One question though, I use IM a lot (ebuddy, msntalk and msndroid) and everytime I go to the landscape keyboard, it fills up the whole screen so I cannot see what someone has just said while I'm typing. Is there anyway to stop the landscape keyboard from filling up the whole screen (similar to the iPhone)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use htc_ime by jonasl then you can go into Setting -> User interface -> No landscape fullscreen
Just check that box and you will get what you want
I use v27 of jonasl htc_ime_hires

rodak said:
If you use htc_ime by jonasl then you can go into Setting -> User interface -> No landscape fullscreen
Just check that box and you will get what you want
I use v27 of jonasl htc_ime_hires
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect!
Thank you so much mate

wow didn't know about this. thanks.

Why Gboard sucks

I recently upgraded to a new Moto x4 phone to replace my beloved HTC One M8. I have some problems and challenges getting it set up but I'm fairly happy. One exception is the default keyboard that came with my fi Android One phone (v8.1) and that's Gboard. Perhaps I am spoiled by the lovely HTC Sense keyboard I've become accustomed to but for me there are some important features which are missing from Gboard.
Both boards. HTC Sense (left) and Gboard (right)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
1. It's the mic or the strip. Notice above that the microphone on Gboard is attached to the suggestions strip so if you hide the strip you have no microphone. Personally I can't stand the suggestion strip and never use it on my old phone but I use voice to text constantly. I shouldn't have to chose.
2. There are no arrow keys on Gboard. This one is extremely frustrating because now I have to tap the screen 15 times to get the cursor where I want it. Repeat that action about 50 times a day and the frustration level is high. With arrow keys I know exactly how to move the cursor to the proper place so I don't have to stare at the phone while I engage in more target practice. HTC Sense does it right:
3. You cannot add words to the custom dictionary from Gboard. This one just boggles my mind. On all keyboards I've ever used if you tap a word that's not already in the dictionary you are prompted to add it to the dictionary. With Gboard you have to go to Settings>System>Languages & Input>Virtual Keyboard>Gboard>Dictionary>Personal Dictionary>English if you want to add words. Yes 8 key presses to get there... hope you still remember the word(s) you wanted to add. This is how it's supposed to work shown in context and from the suggestion bar:
4. No input settings button on Gboard. Not only does Gboard force you to go 8 layers deep into the settings to add words... they don't even give you a button on the keyboard to get you started. Once again the HTC Sense keyboard who's settings button takes you straight to input settings:
5. No tap to correct words/phrases on voice to text. On the HTC Sense if you use voice to text and see you've made a mistake you just tap the word and it brings up alternative words AND phrases to help you make a quick correction. On Gboard... you are tapping to place the cursor (lame!) and correcting it all manually. Examples from the HTC Sense:
Now in this case I would love to be wrong. If anyone knows a way to get these functions working (or correct me for being blind) please let me know. Currently I just have to put with a drastic reduction in functionality when I'm texting. I'm sure I'll get over it.

Question Pixel 7 Pro, swap keyboard?

Is there a way to change the look of the keyboard. I prefer keys that have symbols available on a press and hold.
On my last phone, an LG G7, I was able to install the Google Keyboard that allowed this. Strange that on a Google branded Pixel phone I can't find this keyboard.

Hmm I don't know if this is possible with the stock keyboard (I'll let others confirm or deny). Might be better off using Swiftkey. I know that level of customization is easily accomplished with it, as I use it and have the same preference as you.

i went with smartkeyboard pro cos I'm a dinosaur and have to have a t9 keyboard. its quite old now but still works great.

andygold said:
Is there a way to change the look of the keyboard. I prefer keys that have symbols available on a press and hold.
On my last phone, an LG G7, I was able to install the Google Keyboard that allowed this. Strange that on a Google branded Pixel phone I can't find this keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock keyboard does have symbols on press and hold? Are you saying you don't want the symbols visible on the keyboard? I can't imagine that's a very popular feature seeing how I've used these keyboards for so many years and still have to look to see where symbols are from time to time - it's basically the only time I'm even looking at the keyboard - so I'm not surprised there isn't a setting for it.

I prefer to have the alternative symbols showing on the keyboard.
Right now, my stock keyboard DOES NOT have alternative symbols. If I hit and hold on a letter, it types out once, and offers me no optional characters.

andygold said:
I prefer to have the alternative symbols showing on the keyboard.
Right now, my stock keyboard DOES NOT have alternative symbols. If I hit and hold on a letter, it types out once, and offers me no optional characters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you're using Gboard?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
That would be a new one for me.

I just figured it out!
There's an arrow at the top left of the keyboard. Click it, and another menu pops up with 3 dots. Click the 3 dots , and a Settings gear shows up. On those settings are all the various keyboards and options I've been looking for. Under Preferences I was able to add the numbers at the top of the board, and I was also able to enable "long press for symbols"

andygold said:
I just figured it out!
There's an arrow at the top left of the keyboard. Click it, and another menu pops up with 3 dots. Click the 3 dots , and a Settings gear shows up. On those settings are all the various keyboards and options I've been looking for. Under Preferences I was able to add the numbers at the top of the board, and I was also able to enable "long press for symbols"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I had just found the setting as well. Glad you got it figured out.