Now that there's no more track ball.. - HTC Desire S

Just wondering, I have a Desire now with an S on the way. Being very bad at typing on my mobile I often use the trackball to go back mid sentence and make corrections. My winmo phones had extra arrow keys on the keyboard to accomplish the same thing. Is there a way to do this on the Desire S or will I have to back space through all the text to make corrections?
Thanks

you need to use the screen to backspace back like that. like the iphone were it zooms in on text as u hold and touch.

OK so the zooming makes it easier to select the location? Never used an iphone but maybe I'll go check out my buddy's just to see. My S will be here in 2 days so I will be able to see first hand, I was just wondering what to expect.
Thanks for the reply.
edit- I just checked out my friend's iphone. He wasn't even aware of this feature. Seems to work pretty well. Thanks so much, I probably wouldn't have found this on my own.

It's not quite as slick as the same feature is on the iphone and unfortunately its slightly buggy at times, but still very useful.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

Or just install Smart Keyboard Pro...where you can enable directional arrows (up, down, left, right) very handy.

titus1 said:
Or just install Smart Keyboard Pro...where you can enable directional arrows (up, down, left, right) very handy.
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Good to know, thanks.

I personally prefer the swype application as a sense keyboard replacement, find it much easier and faster for input, it doesn't have directional arrows but you don't really need them as you can use
your thumb for cursor placement
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

you can also just press in the location mid sentence and the cursor will go there. might take a few tries to get spot on, but definitely the way to go instead of backspacing the entire sentence and starting over lol. just press the spot you want to go to.
or use the fancy zoom in thing the guys already said.

Related

How about a back gesture?

I appologize if its already on here somewhere but I didn't find much on it. what I think would make the G1 much nicer to use would be a back gesture rather then having to reach down to the back button all the time. u know slide your thumb from right to the left when ur in an app and it would be the same as streching your thumb all the way down to the back button. If someone could either tell me how to set gestures or make something quick and simple to do it I think it would be much nicer to use and I would appriciate it much.
This forum is great and helped me tons on my universal so naturally I'm turning here for help first. I have a feeling by the end of the year Android will be killin the iphone! Turns out its not the phone, its the OS... lol..
The G1 does that to a certain extent but what you are talking about would require a lot of codding in the OS, I don`t think it would be a simple task. But if you are a coder and want to do this, I`m sure other people can offer you some assitance, JF would be one of them for sure. Cheers!
svxdriver said:
u know slide your thumb from right to the left when ur in an app and it would be the same as streching your thumb all the way down to the back button.
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Click to collapse
Possibly the only space the operating system reserves for its own input detection is the notification bar. I imagine it might be possible to add some kind of swipe detection to that. However considering how narrow that space is, I don't see how it would be any better than just clicking the back button.
As for the system detecting swipes on the whole lcd, that's probably a non-starter. It would break the touch user interface of many apps.
Currently there are two ways to bring up the programs tab - dragging the tab up and a short press on the tab itself. It *may* be possible to change the function of the short press to 'back' but I think that may cause a lot of inadvertent 'back' presses...
boogie1077 said:
Currently there are two ways to bring up the programs tab - dragging the tab up and a short press on the tab itself. It *may* be possible to change the function of the short press to 'back' but I think that may cause a lot of inadvertent 'back' presses...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what svxdriver wants is for a leftward swipe to be universally recognized as a backstep, meaning not just on the Launcher screen but in all applications.
Not sure how well that would work. The o/s would need to distinguish between a swipe and just scrolling across the screen. Easier, I think, to just use the back button.
BobbyHill said:
Not sure how well that would work. The o/s would need to distinguish between a swipe and just scrolling across the screen. Easier, I think, to just use the back button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well it doesn't have a hard time distinguishing between moving up on a page and when you drag from the top of the screen to pull the notification bar down. in windows mobile I had a program that I could assign different gestures to do different things.. I thought it the same kind of thing would be handy.. but I wouldn't want it to go back cause I swiped, onlyl if I swipe from the edge of th screen to signify I want to go back..

HTC HD2 T-Mobile - Is there a better virtual keyboard?

I have issues with the use of the OEM on-screen keyboard of the HTC HD2. It registers the keys next to the ones I press if my finger even begins to slide a little when pressing the desired key.
I would like something much more stable than what it's equipped with. Does anybody know of a better keyboard for the HTC HD2?
MartyLK said:
I have issues with the use of the OEM on-screen keyboard of the HTC HD2. It registers the keys next to the ones I press if my finger even begins to slide a little when pressing the desired key.
I would like something much more stable than what it's equipped with. Does anybody know of a better keyboard for the HTC HD2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try finger keyboard or fingerkeyb...google the forum for it...it works great for me...tried it even on qvga..and still it kicks butt
farukb said:
try finger keyboard or fingerkeyb...google the forum for it...it works great for me...tried it even on qvga..and still it kicks butt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thank you. That worked out just fine. It is better than the OEM KB. It also looks better. Is there a touchscreen sensitivity setting somewhere for the HD2, do you know?
EDIT -
Unfortunately the Fingerkeyb has a bug in landscape mode. Pressing the spacebar often brings up the menu because it is so close to the bottom of the screen.
EDIT 2-
Eh...I spoke too soon. The landscape mode doesn't work properly. I thought it was limited to the same size as the portrait mode because that's what shows up when pulling up the keyboard while in landscape mode. But after tapping the small arrow beside the KB selector, and then choosing Fingerkeyb, the landscape mode comes up. Which isn't all that appealing because it separates the keyboard at the middle, putting the directional arrows in the middle, rather than providing larger keys like the OEM keyboard does.
Hopefully the creator of this keyboard will will see these issues and deal with them. I guess I'll just stick to the OEM board for now...much less complex to pull up.
Me thinks this is wrong forum...
And I suggest Swype. It should be on the forums here somewhere.
Well...All is well. I had the 2.0 version installed and found the 2.1 version from a post speaking about it. Googling fingerkeyb brings up a link to the thread in xda with the 2.0 version. After specifically Googling fingerkeyb 2.1, I was able to get it.
2.1 resolves the issues I had and is much nicer too.
I just can't get over how things go wrong when I speak of something working well.
The letter "b/B" is dead in the fingerkeyb. Tapping it does nothing. It doesn't register.
I suppose it's just in the default skin, red/black. I loaded another skin, gray/black, and it now works. Also, the "b/B" works in the default skin if the option to "Show bar" for landscape mode is selected. The "b/B" works fine either way in the default skin in portrait mode.
as already mentioned, google for Swype mate, trust me you'll never use another keybord again
One of the cooked ROMS has a cab for swype within it. Not sure on the legalities of it as it was only released for the Tmobile HD2, but if someone confirms its ok I'll tell you which ROM to save you digging about.
Actually if you are happy with the keyboard and its just the sensitivity issue then take a look at this post...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=604831
I had majoy issues with the keyboard and pressing of buttons etc but this CAB worked a treat!
Moved as not software release.

Notification Shade Recent Apps

I think I know the answer....but I am hoping someone knows if there is a way to turn this off. It's so big. Hate it. As far as I can tell...its not optional.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
Nope, can't turn it off.
not yet, give it time for the framework to be ripped apart. root and s-off have just arrived, patience
Agreed that it's a bit large, but I actually like the feature.
My biggest complaint with the TB (other than TFT vs SAMOLED screen) is the placement/arrangement of the capacitive menu buttons at the bottom of the screen. I don't have tiny hands, but they're not particular big either, so the size of the phone and the placement of the Home button make it just about impossible for me to use the phone with just one hand like I do my 4" phones. My thumb just can't reach the Home button when holding it in my right hand without risking dropping it, so it's difficult to do the long press to get the recent apps screen up. I can comfortably drop the shade and select from there, though, so I like it. Obviously a YMMV thing, and accessing the Home screens still takes two hands for me.
yeah, the recently used apps in the notification bar was poorly thought out. It's redundant as holding the home button does the same thing and isn't needed. If they were going to put anything up there, it should've been the quick toggles like the Galaxy S line of devices.
Yes...I also miss the quick toggle from Cyan....I still find myself pulling down the shade only to realize its not there.
And I miss being able to dismiss notification with a sideways swipe.....A LOT!
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
rckymtnrfc said:
Yes...I also miss the quick toggle from Cyan....I still find myself pulling down the shade only to realize its not there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Widgetsoid. It does what you want but takes a bit of setup
Couldn't you just use a different launcher like ADW? Or is it built into the framework? If so, what a turn off.

One finger navigation with trackpad on the dock.

I'm not sure if this has been posted but I just discovered a way to use one finger to navigate with the trackpad on the dock. All you have to do is double tap twice on the trackpad, keeping your finger down on the second tap, and you are able to use just one finger.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA App
Wow nice ! thanks, made the scrolling much easier. (at least for me)
Nice find!
jerrykur said:
Nice find!
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Click to collapse
Lol, just found out by myself and wanted to make a thread on this. Guess I'm a little late
But it's really a nice addition in 3.2 and it prevents from accidentally pinch zooming also. Why the hell don't the manufacturers give changelogs with major updates?! Took me really ages now to find this nice feature...
P.S.: This also works for scrolling left and right on the homescreen.
still think that using the trackpad is now a truely horrid experience compared to < 3.2
thefunkygibbon said:
still think that using the trackpad is now a truely horrid experience compared to < 3.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that depends. With 3.2 they made the trackpad scroll the same direction as the tablet screen does if you swipe with your fingers (swiping down the trackpad will swipe up the screen). If you used a notebook or netbook before you'll be confused, that's right. But if you only used smartphones and other touchscreen devices, this is more intuitive now because it has the same feel. I only used desktop pcs before the transformer and I always confused the trackpad's direction before the 3.2 update. Now I intuitively scroll into the right direction.
But I still agree with you. I think they should make some trackpad options with the next update I mean some settings like scroll direction, sensitivity, pinch zoom sensitivity or at least pinch zoom on/off. And for the trackpad buttons perhaps customizing right key (to open the apps settings for example).
i guess, the way i see it though is that if i want to use the trackpad in that way, i'd just use the screen! I want to use the trackpad in the same way as I'd use a mouse. The main times i wanted to use it is if there was a area on the screen that needed clicking and it was too hard to do with a finger.. i want the accuracy of a mouse pointer.
but I digress from the original post.
I used to like scrolling with two fingers, now thats pretty much impossible since it seems to want to pinch zoom all the time.
ho hum. i guess i'll just buy a mouse instead for these purposes (hopefully the mouse pointer wont be a big stupid circle, i think i read somewhere it all returns to normal with a usb mouse)
thefunkygibbon said:
i guess, the way i see it though is that if i want to use the trackpad in that way, i'd just use the screen! I want to use the trackpad in the same way as I'd use a mouse. The main times i wanted to use it is if there was a area on the screen that needed clicking and it was too hard to do with a finger.. i want the accuracy of a mouse pointer.
but I digress from the original post.
I used to like scrolling with two fingers, now thats pretty much impossible since it seems to want to pinch zoom all the time.
ho hum. i guess i'll just buy a mouse instead for these purposes (hopefully the mouse pointer wont be a big stupid circle, i think i read somewhere it all returns to normal with a usb mouse)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I see your point, it also scrolls into the opposite direction as a scroll wheel would. That really could confuse a lot of people.
Yeah two finger scrolling really sucks now. Thats why I want some trackpad settings. It helps a little if you pull your fingers really close to each other. It's not perfect, but it prevents the screen from zooming all the time.
And yes, the pointer should return to normal with a usb mouse. I don't think the circle style is a totally bad idea, though. but it is much too big. If they'd reduce the size to at least half of the current size, it could be a good pointer for use with trackpad.
qwer23 said:
I guess that depends. With 3.2 they made the trackpad scroll the same direction as the tablet screen does if you swipe with your fingers (swiping down the trackpad will swipe up the screen). If you used a notebook or netbook before you'll be confused, that's right. But if you only used smartphones and other touchscreen devices, this is more intuitive now because it has the same feel. I only used desktop pcs before the transformer and I always confused the trackpad's direction before the 3.2 update. Now I intuitively scroll into the right direction.
But I still agree with you. I think they should make some trackpad options with the next update I mean some settings like scroll direction, sensitivity, pinch zoom sensitivity or at least pinch zoom on/off. And for the trackpad buttons perhaps customizing right key (to open the apps settings for example).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, so they really DO listen to their customers

soft keyboard behavior and breakage. re-install? good replacement?

for as long as I've had my phone, which, of course, is as long as I've had it rooted, my messaging app has acted extremely odd.
Using the arrow keys and the back-space key causes strange, and often app-breaking, behavior. it seems to be registering the key presses in at least 2 other areas of the app. it always scrolls to the top of the conversation, it highlights conversations in the main message window, and it highlights options in the menus before I even have them open. it seems that the window that lists the conversations, as well as the options menu, are still listening to key presses, even when I'm writing a text. often, the arrow keys and the back-space key stop working all together until I back out of the text-input and re-open the keyboard. this happens litterally every time i write a text message, which is a lot.
all I want the arrow keys to do when I'm in a text field is move the cursor, not jump the highlight to the send button, not scroll through auto-complete options, not jump to the conversation window and scroll through individual texts, and certainly not control the selection of items in windows and menus that I don't even have open.
Also, when pressing 2 keys in quick succession, it often only registers one, TH, especially. I'd say its just registering the second press as a movement of the first contact point, istead of a second touch, like old laptop track-pads, but this device is more than capable of registering multi-touch. also, if you hold one key, and press another, the letter from the first appears on the second key for a brief second...
I'm using virtuous ville v.1.4.0 stock, but I've installed and uninstalled a couple other keyboard apps, can I re-install the stock ICS keyboard? is it a sense keyboard? is this happening to anyone else with this rom or with the 4.0.3 os?
thanks for your help
-Peter
god I miss my G1... stupid friggin slabs. this was the first, and will be the last phone that I ever buy without a real keyboard. this touch-screen only nonsense is ridiculous. it would be fast if it were possible to be accurate and keys weren't literally touching each other. why can't I tell it how much space I want between the keys, so I press nothing, instead of the wrong key? there would be no haptic feedback so I knew to press it again, and I wouldn't constantly be pressing the shift, space, and num keys, which the auto-correct doesn't account for in the slightest, instead of the A key or any of the bottom row of letters .I'm tired of sacrificing so much functionality just so phones can look slicker and break easier.
Don't know why it fails, sorry.... The stock ICS keyboard is not a sense keyboard, there is one on market looks like this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/....android.inputmethod.latin.ice_cream_sandwich
Or you could grab a keyboard from any CM9 or AOKP rom zip file, it's named Latin-IME.apk iirc. The jellybean keyboard is similar but nicer somehow, possible it works on ICS. Also SwiftKey is really good.
Thanks for the suggestions! I do, in fact, have a sense keyboard and I do need arrow keys, which the non-sense keyboards, including the jellybean apk don't seem to have. I still can't fathom why anyone would ever prefer these to a real keyboard and a d-pad... also, the jellybean keyboard still has the same trouble with TH's. has anyone here, who shares my frustration with soft keyboards, found a decent keyboard app?
I wish there were decent quality, mini keyboards, too. Wireless or micro-usb would both work, as I'd probably make a case to hold it with my phone. I've only seen a couple, and they're either too big to be practical, or poor quality.
I apologize for my negative attitude. this is just frustrating, as texting is my main form of communication, and I post to forums from my phone quite often, so typing is important to me.
thanks again
-Peter
This is what SwiftKey 3 looks like if you activate the arrows and the Holo theme... One month trial.

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