I've been using this keyboard for a few weeks now. When you first install it and pop it up, you may think "What the...!!! How do you get to the rest of the letters?" The Help file documentation soon clears up how to get to the letters, numbers and special characters, and gives swiping a whole new, and in my opinion, friendlier, image.
MessagEase is a whole different layout from anything you've probably seen before. At first you might think it would have too sharp a learning curve, but in no time you will find yourself flying on the keyboard, making fewer errors and feeling much less cramped than the standard Android keyboard, especially if you have fat fingers like me.
In my opinion, it's leaps and bounds above Swype and the like, and it's totally free.
So if you have trouble with the stock Android keyboard feeling too small, and sliding around on Slide-It or Swype isn't much better, give MessagEase a try.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.exideas.mekb&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5leGlkZWFzLm1la2IiXQ..
downloading,,, going to try it, never heard of it! thanks!
This is no where near as good as swype but the ideas pretty good. I couldn't get past level 2 in the game.
sfex3best said:
This is no where near as good as swype but the ideas pretty good. I couldn't get past level 2 in the game.
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I didn't even bother with the game, which is intended to help you get comfortable with using MessagEase to text (for those who saw this response and were confused). The longer I use MessagEase, the easier and faster it gets to use. I never felt comfortable with Swype.
Like all Android apps, "YMMV - Your mileage may vary."
Gave up on this keyboard after awhile :X Sticking to swiftkey X
gave up on this
doesn't resize properly in landscape mode when in browser
end up with tiny keyboard in the middle of the screen making it impossible to type
Guys , try ice cream sandwich keyboard, its good
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Hmm you're right about landscape mode. I never text that way so it isn't a problem for me. But there is a solution.
If you slide up on the hand symbol, it makes the keyboard larger. Slide down on the hand to make it smaller. Tap it to dismiss the keyboard.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
netizenmt said:
I didn't even bother with the game
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IMO messagease is NOT easy to learn as what the company wants us to believe. Thats y they created the game tutorial which IMO the only way to understand the puzzle. I passed the learning curve and now peak at 50wpm in the championship level thats by using only one finger without any word prediction, suggestions, and autocorrection(see jhorwin in the messagease highscore) Other highscorers r even achieving 60+wpm which made me jealous. Many may argue that swype or other variants are faster but there is a big diffence: their method requires high amount of concentration & constant attention to the keys bcuz qwerty is not made for small screens. As result, u may type fast but u also tire fast bcuz too much effort is needed. On the other hand, because the letters in Messagease r scientifically reordered to the best possible arrangement for small touchsceens, i not just type very fast but also type with far lesser effort compared to its rivals.. even better than all the hardware KB i used to trust for years.
I should say that messagease is not easy to practice but i also say that its VERY VERY VERY worth the effort! Typing is fun too as how i enjoy doing this post
looks a lot like...
it looks a lot like the Danzel keyboard for sony PSP...Brings me back in time ,best keyboard for psp imho but not sure for android
thanks for the info will try it out later
Related
I know...its probably been around forever dummy...
But I hammer data into this thing like its a laptop....and NO keyboard has done the trick like my Iphone's which is the standard.... Til this baby!
Very happy.
Thank you Smart Keyboard Pro developers.
hi rockky,
i dont think this is the better way for you to talk about keyboard, there were thread about keyboard.. you may continue there... others able to follow up... no need a new thread. thanks
That seems to be about one keyboard in particular.
rockky said:
I know...its probably been around forever dummy...
But I hammer data into this thing like its a laptop....and NO keyboard has done the trick like my Iphone's which is the standard.... Til this baby!
Very happy.
Thank you Smart Keyboard Pro developers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@rocky
........never mind me
whats the difference between this and the stock keyboard?
There's 4 different ones but the Iphone one has spaces surrounding all letters making it way easier to deliniate letters visually and hit them physically.
I'm using Swiftkey alpha limited version.
It predicts your next word rather than correcting it. And you choose one of 3 boxes on top instead of pressing space. So after typing a couple of letters, the word you want is usually up there.
where did you find swiftkey?
/me demands a swiftkey apk.
the default nexus one keyboard does suck monkey rocks.... I've been looking for a keyboard, but I just tried the DESIRE ROM and the HTC keyboard ROCKS! The ROM is just not quite ready for prime time though...
dang swift key is pretty badass
Really wish someone had a swiftkey apk to throw to the great people at xda devs.
PISSANDVINEGAR said:
Really wish someone had a swiftkey apk to throw to the great people at xda devs.
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Click to collapse
A quick google for "swiftkey apk" will get you a copy!
Just tried it out and its pretty good!
I also love Smart Keyboard Pro.. I keep switching between SKP, HTC and Swiftkey!
Smart Keyboard has greatly improved its word correction algorithm. It is still not on par with HTC_IME's but I would say it is almost comparable to the stock one. I prefer Smart Keyboard for the multitouch capabilities. I type faster and it just feels more natural. I know the HTC_IME is not multitouch, is Swiftkey? I signed up for the beta trial but as of yet have not received notice.
Swiftkey is hands down the best N1 keyboard.
Lanze said:
Swiftkey is hands down the best N1 keyboard.
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Better then swype??
nenco said:
Better then swype??
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Testing now. I will let you know.
http://uploaded.to/file/dw8l0u
swift key gave me better results than Smart pro.
They both suck ass simply because theyve failed to include a good voice to text icon.
I like smart keyboard a lot, I just wish it had voice to text. I'd assume it's just a simple API call, and you're done, no? Not like you need to code the entire service.
I can type incredibly fast with it, which I cannot do on the stock keyboard. That is enough for me to use it.
Have to say that Smart KB is really great. Works very well with Germany qwertz layout and types better than stock or htc.
I still think Swype is #1 keyboard.
http://www.swypeinc.com/
have nexus s with modaco r2 at the mo but will be switching to cm7 once more stable. but was wondering what is the best non stock keyboard to use? as find that the stock is not as responsive as one on my nexus 1
stevo1006 said:
have nexus s with modaco r2 at the mo but will be switching to cm7 once more stable. but was wondering what is the best non stock keyboard to use? as find that the stock is not as responsive as one on my nexus 1
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you are crazy to think that the stock Gingerbread keyboard isnt as responsive *glare*
the HTC keyboard is pretty good, and if you can get into the beta, the swype keyboard is great too
This. The stock keyboard is amazing.
slowz3r said:
you are crazy to think that the stock Gingerbread keyboard isnt as responsive *glare*
the HTC keyboard is pretty good, and if you can get into the beta, the swype keyboard is great too
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Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
tominater12 said:
This. The stock keyboard is amazing.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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I'm also very happy with the stock GingerBread keyboard, and ease of language change
it's not as smooth as SWYPE, for fast typing, but i could get used to it
SWYPE is much more natural, but changing language is not so easy as the GB stock keyboard
Im using the Swiftkey one more and more now. Used Swype but it didnt really do it for me. The stock gingerbread keyboard is quite nice but the keys are too tiny ( I dont even have big fingers)
Using Swype here, as I had gotten used to it on the Epic (when I had it), and love it!
KidCold said:
Im using the Swiftkey one more and more now. Used Swype but it didnt really do it for me. The stock gingerbread keyboard is quite nice but the keys are too tiny ( I dont even have big fingers)
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just flip the phone horizontally (that's what i do)
yes i find it tiny as well, that is why it's a bit tricky to type fast
but with SWYPE, i don't need to flip the phone, i was able to type real fast even when the phone is in vertical portrait mode
I have to say, the keyboard and typing is one of the few sore spots I have for the Android experience. While the new stock keyboard is much improved over previous iterations, it can still be a bit slow and unresponsive, often missing certain presses; and its auto-correction just isn't as clever as it should be. Another issue I have, particularly with the Nexus S, is that other times, the screen is too sensitive, it seems. Has anyone tried this yet: you can hover your finger slightly off the screen, and it'll register as a press. This might be contributing to hitting wrong keys and spelling errors when my thumbs glaze over the keyboard while typing fast. It's very frustrating. The biggest culprit of this problem seems to occur when I'm trying to type "I'm"... it almost always results in "km" instead. Other examples are when letters get registered twice, like tthis or like thiss. However, it's prone to missing space bar presses, resulting too often in words likethis.
Unfortunately, Google decided to not provide any customizable dictionary or custom auto-correct features. This is baffling to me and where Google's attempt to copy the Apple keyboard goes too far. Speaking of Apple, I say this without any intention of starting immature flame wars, but the iPhone - and even the iPod touch - keyboards are far more smooth, responsive, and reliable. Anyone who has typed extensively on both platforms will know what I mean. I can type with utmost confidence on an iPhone (that's not to say it's perfect). I cannot say I type confidently with my Nexus. And forget about including sound or haptic feedback; these things seem to slow the typing experience down, where it'll miss even more key presses.
Everyone's typing methods and speeds are different, so everyone will have different typing experiences, but for me, it continues to be a sore spot. Which leads me to my next question: when is Blindtype going to be implemented? Anyone heard any new news on it?
Anyway, to answer the OP's question: I am currently trialing Swiftkey. It can be impressive at times, and it's often very intuitive, but I find it's actually slower than typing out on a regular keyboard because I'm too busy making sure it chooses the right words. Then again, it might still be "learning." We'll see when the 31-day trial is over.
Prior to this, I was using Smart Keyboard Pro, which isn't as responsive and quick as stock Android, but it has tons of customizable features which make up for it (for example, I can custom the auto-correction to always change "km" to "I'm"). This is what I'll go back to if I pass on purchasing Swiftkey.
PS. I have Swype as well, and it's fun, but not practical in my opinion.
The best keyboard for me is NO KEYBOARD. For short stuff, like text or emails or a short forum message, you really should give voice input a go for a few days and see how much easier it is than anything else.
Swiftkey my favorite keyboard at the moment, but another fine one and my primary keyboard before I heard of SwiftKey is Better Keyboard (not sure there's a free trial on it), but there's a free public beta going on right now.
anyone else using this???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OuCR0EpGo
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.threequbits.android.eightpen&feature=search_result&hl=en
ps this is not my app!!!
I write awfully slow on this, but I guess you'll learn!
That looks terrible. It can only really be used with one hand and would be terrible to use while walking. It's cumbersome and not really that intuitive as well unlike Swype. I can't see this catching all at all.
ballubas said:
anyone else using this???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OuCR0EpGo
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.threequbits.android.eightpen&feature=search_result&hl=en
ps this is not my app!!!
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Click to collapse
It was almost a year ago when they tried to get into the market with their unusual keyboard, and until now it's a big fail. It's not a comfortable keyboard imo, although I appreciate this 'out of the box' kind of thinking.
Personally I don't like it!! I feel so stupid trying to write one simple word!!! Takes too much time to write!! FAYOUL!!!
Sent from my X10i using XDA Premium App
That looks terrible, just my $.02.
At least when I first saw Swype, I saw the potential in it. And after a few weeks of awkward learning, it was by far and above my favorite keyboard on android. I can't see 8Pen even being an option for me.
Wow that looks terrible
My 14 YO daughter uses this keyboard and her words per minute are incredible. I tried it and can't get it. I think it has to do with my mind being so programmed for QWERTY. The pattern for creating words with this keyboard is so different that I have to think of every step. My daughter, on the other hand, has used alternate keyboards for so long (i.e. T9) that her brain was able to adapt very quickly. Personally I prefer the swipe style keyboards. My favorite is ShapeWriter before being acquired by Nuance. The current market version sucks, Google for version 3.0.9.
interesting video and an interesting app. :heads up:
I tried it and hated it... I don't feel like I should have to completely reprogram the way I think just to use a keyboard. I guess eventually you'd get it, but who wants to spend a few weeks learning to use a keyboard?
davtfor said:
My 14 YO daughter uses this keyboard and her words per minute are incredible. I tried it and can't get it.
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Click to collapse
I'm with davtfor here. I'm not super slow but I'm a lot faster using better keyboard. I used 8pen exclusively for about 3 weeks and I'd still have to periodically have to lift my thumb to find a character.
But it is an interesting experiment. I might use it for another couple of weeks again.
I recently got a new Galaxy S2 and though I have no complaints about its speed, the on screen keyboard is atrocious. I'm running the AOKP ICS ROM right now and using what I assume is the stock ICS keyboard.
Coming from an OG Droid, my main complaint is that the on screen keyboard doesn't always follow the text while typing, I find myself often typing off screen and I can't pinch and zoom out with the keyboard open, it's very frustrating. Also, the selection marker seems to jump around making it very difficult to get to a word I made a typo in due to it being off screen when I typed it. I find it easier sometimes to just backspace my entire sentence than to fight with it. After a google search, this doesn't seem like an uncommon complaint.
Also I'm not a big fan of having to hit the "back" key to pull down the keyboard when there's no done button, as hitting it twice has a chance of eating whatever I'm typing.
What do you guys suggest?
Other than that, I don't much like the cramped viewspace I have when typing, but I suppose nothing can be done about that. It'd be nice to have a higher ppi display, with pinch and zoom with the keyboard open.
On another forum some suggested downloading a paid keyboard that allows the addition of arrow keys, but I'm reluctant to make the keyboard take up even more space onscreen.
P.S. I'm trying to get my post count up so I can post some bugs in the development section. Thanks all!
SwiftKey X is the best keyboard I've ever downloaded. It has a stinking awesome auto correct and several themes to choose from to match your phone interface. It's even got some neat gesture shortcuts and you can adjust the size of the keyboard on the screen from small, to medium, to large (which sounds like something you'd like) in both portrait and landscape mode. It has a 30 day free trial and after that the auto correct stops working, but the app is only 50 cents. I'd super highly recommend it, that's what I'm using with my galaxy s2. That and a crap ton of swype Good luck, hope I helped
MultiLockOn said:
SwiftKey X is the best keyboard I've ever downloaded. It has a stinking awesome auto correct and several themes to choose from to match your phone interface. It's even got some neat gesture shortcuts and you can adjust the size of the keyboard on the screen from small, to medium, to large (which sounds like something you'd like) in both portrait and landscape mode. It has a 30 day free trial and after that the auto correct stops working, but the app is only 50 cents. I'd super highly recommend it, that's what I'm using with my galaxy s2. That and a crap ton of swype Good luck, hope I helped
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I agree with him. I love SwiftKey x. I am currently using the beta 3 version and it is awesome. Truly worth the money spent on it.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Nerz said:
I agree with him. I love SwiftKey x. I am currently using the beta 3 version and it is awesome. Truly worth the money spent on it.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
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I tried the paid version of Swiftkey x, n the only thing dat i hate abt it is that in landscape view.. because of the transparent pad.. you dont see what ur writing until you reach the second line..gone through the settings infinite times.. i too am in need of a good keyboard..
Sent from my MB525 CM9-Nightly using XDA
Since i stepped into Android, by one thing i was amazed and it was/is Swype. Then other keyboards appeared and SwiftKey X was the most popular among them. So i used it for two weeks to see how good and efficient it is then went back to Swype. Why? The video proves why.
I am on 102°F while i was typing (in fact that's the reason why i have done this video as i had nothing to do, lol), so take 30-45 seconds out from both the video.
I would like to find a more simpler article as base, but couldn't find any by simple Googling.
Regards.
PS: If already this has been done by some fellow member please pardon me, i haven't searched
I agree with you totally, imho after swype any other keyboard in android makes me sad panda =(
I actually like SwitKey better... but I use Swype. I like being able to type with one hand.
P.S. not sold on the new Swype beta - I love the prediction, but it seems to be a bit of a hog.
I am a FlexT9 man myself..
No offense, but you seem to be pretty slow at typing and I think that's why you are faster with Swype. I think it really comes down to peoples personal typing styles. I am a fast typer but end up making a decent amount of mistakes especially with the stock HTC keyboard. I recently started using the trace function on the stock keyboard on my Evo 3D (custom ICS rom though) which is basically the same thing as Swype. While I did enjoy it more than normal typing and it made me faster, I ended up correcting a lot of errors and inputting new words. I then bought Swiftkey 3 and after setting it up, fell in love. It's just a lot smarter than Swype. It's like it knows what I want to say before I even start typing. Also I love the new cobalt theme they have.
So it really depends on your personal typing styles.
I use the stock HTC keyboard, which has Swype-like "trace input" (basically a blatant clone of Swype, but IMO a nicer looking keyboard; I did install Swype before I found the option to enable trace input) and I think it is absolutely fantastic. However, on my Blackberry Playbook, the built in (and non-changeable ) keyboard is made by SwiftKey, and is apparently very similar to the Android version, only themed differently. I have to say it is quite excellent, it can often predict the next word I want to use, preventing me even having to type some words at all, and at times only makes me type the first letter or two before it guesses. Main reason I haven't tried it on Android is because it costs, and I am perfectly happy with the HTC keyboard, which is free.
If there was some amalgamation between Swype and SwiftKey, with the swyping of Swype and the prediction of SwiftKey, it would undoubtedly be my keyboard of choice.
Stock ICS keyboard FTW!
I prefer the one handed operation of Swype 3.25. Swiftkey has been ruined. I used to use it and its pumpkin theme because it disabled the keypress pop up. Now it's in every theme. And there is still no dedicated enter key.
The new Swype sucks, after nuance bought them out. I hate the mandatory Swype connect process that runs, the large footprint, etc.. 3.25 is probably the last acceptable version. If anyone has apk's of builds produced after 3.25, please post them as I'd love to try them out.
Also if anyone has a stock ics keyboard apk that was pulled from a ROM, not the market version, post that too please.
Sent from my Galaxy S II via XDA Premium
SifJar said:
I use the stock HTC keyboard, which has Swype-like "trace input" (basically a blatant clone of Swype, but IMO a nicer looking keyboard; I did install Swype before I found the option to enable trace input) and I think it is absolutely fantastic. However, on my Blackberry Playbook, the built in (and non-changeable ) keyboard is made by SwiftKey, and is apparently very similar to the Android version, only themed differently. I have to say it is quite excellent, it can often predict the next word I want to use, preventing me even having to type some words at all, and at times only makes me type the first letter or two before it guesses. Main reason I haven't tried it on Android is because it costs, and I am perfectly happy with the HTC keyboard, which is free.
If there was some amalgamation between Swype and SwiftKey, with the swyping of Swype and the prediction of SwiftKey, it would undoubtedly be my keyboard of choice.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure if it's still on sale, I can't see because I've already bought it, but Swiftkey 3 was on sale for $1.99 for a week. Again, not sure if that week is still going on but I bought it because of the half off sale.
ncfastls1 said:
No offense, but you seem to be pretty slow at typing and I think that's why you are faster with Swype. I think it really comes down to peoples personal typing styles. I am a fast typer but end up making a decent amount of mistakes especially with the stock HTC keyboard. I recently started using the trace function on the stock keyboard on my Evo 3D (custom ICS rom though) which is basically the same thing as Swype. While I did enjoy it more than normal typing and it made me faster, I ended up correcting a lot of errors and inputting new words. I then bought Swiftkey 3 and after setting it up, fell in love. It's just a lot smarter than Swype. It's like it knows what I want to say before I even start typing. Also I love the new cobalt theme they have.
So it really depends on your personal typing styles.
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As I said, I am not that slow, it was my shaky hands due to the fever. But yes I might definitely be slower than you.
But sorry, I can't agree that Swiftkey is smarter than Swype.
Just my op anyway.
Swyping from my i9100 via Tt
ncfastls1 said:
I'm not sure if it's still on sale, I can't see because I've already bought it, but Swiftkey 3 was on sale for $1.99 for a week. Again, not sure if that week is still going on but I bought it because of the half off sale.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did notice that and consider it, but to be honest, the screen on my phone is a bit cramped for "proper" typing, so I decided to stick with my HTC trace input. I'd probably only go for SwiftKey if it added a swype/trace like function.
ithehappy said:
As I said, I am not that slow, it was my shaky hands due to the fever. But yes I might definitely be slower than you.
But sorry, I can't agree that Swiftkey is smarter than Swype.
Just my op anyway.
Swyping from my i9100 via Tt
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Click to collapse
All good man, that's the beauty of android. The fact that we even have multiple keyboards to chose from rather than being stuck with whatever comes with the phone.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
I have used lots of keyboards of every type and I always come back to Swype. I like Swiftkey's prediction but I've had tough life with predictions. And anyway, my main concern is the speed which Swype most definitely provides me. It depends on your typing habits and screen size, of course.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium
I always liked ai type until I tried the SwiftKey beta. My only wish is that SwiftKey would do voice to text like Ai type does using the ics real time transcription rather than the old one. I never liked swype mainly because I drive for a living so my use case makes it tough to swype and drive. Much easier to peck but even easier still to speak.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I used swype quite a lot but found it would remember everything I'd typed. So it would end up changing the correct word to a captcha I'd typed in months ago. Now I use SwiftKey to get round that problem
I also find Swype beta to be faster than swiftkey.. Nevertheless, both keyboard make people's eyes looks like this O_O
I type faster than my friend's BlackBerry using only my thumb
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
The fact is that, with SwiftKey, you can tipe without watching the screen. If you use Swipe, you must watch it! Or I'm wrong?
Nah, its just getting used to your phone... Somehow I Swype blindly, just a matter of time for everyone.
hricti da
IlleCorvus said:
Nah, its just getting used to your phone... Somehow I Swype blindly, just a matter of time for everyone.
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Click to collapse
Ok, then I'll try it again...
Gorjess said:
I also find Swype beta to be faster than swiftkey.. Nevertheless, both keyboard make people's eyes looks like this O_O
I type faster than my friend's BlackBerry using only my thumb
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Swype is fast, but I still have a phone with a hardware keyboard. I've never been able to quite get up to the same speed that I achieve with it using swype.