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)
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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.
Related
This small tweak was done as a personal preference on my part. Don't know if others will find value in it or not, but figured I'd share since I spent to them to make the tweak.
It has always bothered me that when I pull up the dialer, that the bottom right button provides for the ability to 'View Call History', when the call history is already presented by default when opening the dialer.
For me, it would be more convenient, when opening the dialer, to have the button default to my contacts list, rather than call history, so this is what this mod/tweak accomplishes. That is, it modifies the functionality of the bottom right button on the dialer taskbar, in order to default, when pressed, to your 'All Contacts' list, rather than the 'Call History'.
Old Dialer Setup w/ Call History Button (bottom right):
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New Dialer Setup w/ All Contacts Button (bottom right):
Note: This mod is provided as a MetaMorph, as such, it will only change the button behavior and icon, but NOT the look (color) of your dialer. This mod also includes the NO Haptic feedback when dialing
XML MetaMorph Control File <--- Apply using the latest MetaMorph Application
That has always bothered me too, but I just dealt with it. Now that you created this update I will have to try it out. Thanks
Works like a charm.
Tibedabeeto said:
Works like a charm.
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Cool. It just seems to make more sense to me, providing quicker access to your contacts, as opposed to call history.
Isn't it faster to just type the name of the contact you want? And if they have multiple numbers, swiping left and right will let you scroll through the numbers.
c00ller said:
Isn't it faster to just type the name of the contact you want? And if they have multiple numbers, swiping left and right will let you scroll through the numbers.
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Different strokes for different folks I guess. What mod have you published that I can critique?
Sorry if I came off as condescending toward your mod. Didn't mean it like that.
I have searched and searched but can't seem to find a solution anywhere to this problem:
I really would like to be able to use my phone dialer in landscape as I have it fixed in a landscape holder in the car to use iGo. I have added the a new string in HKCU\Software\HTC\HTCSENSOR\GSensor\WhiteList named 'Dialog' with a value of 'Dialog' so this now allows the phone canvas to rotate to landscape from portrait. I also tried adding a new string called 'Phone' in HKCU\Software|HTC\HTCSENSOR\ModuleName and giving it a value of '\Windows\cprog.exe and adding a string called 'Phone' in the WhiteList with the value 'crpog' but neither of these (or any combination of the three entries) made any difference over the original entry listed above so I removed the latter two.
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The problem is that if I have my phone in landscape then open the dialer by pressing the left hardkey it opens momentarily in portrait then rotates to landscape (would be nicer if it opened directly in landscape but this isn't a major issue). The dialer is then fully functional (all buttons work, you can hide and reveal the keypad, etc) until you press the talk button and then the active call window opens in portrait. If I then move the phone from landscape to portrait and back again the active call window then switches to landscape and again is fully functional there. When you then end call which closes the active call window it goes back to the dialer window which again is now back in portrait!!!!
My question is - does anyone far cleverer than me know how to get both windows to check for orientation first before opening? There must be a workround for this surely - some clever reg tweak that everyone probably knows about already but which I can't find
The registry keys you are describing tell the phone which apps for which it is okay to detect an orientation change, not the target orientation for the apps. I think you would need to create a per-app script that would actually change the orienatation of the system (such as what you can do from your WinMo settings screen) and then launch the app in question... and then change the orientation back after the app is closed. If anyone knows of an existing cab or tool that does all this, I too would be interested in it...
I've got a problem that I don't seem to see any others having... although they should.
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Every time I open the keyboard to type I'm greeted with the cursor handle halfway over the "w" key. If I try to start a word with a "w" it will think I want to move the handle and the swype won't take, so either I have to wait ~5 sec for it to disappear or hit another letter and backspace and then start. If you are good you can get the bottom of the "w" key but more often than not you get the handle.
It's in the most unfortunate place, too - as most phrases I text start with "w".
Where you at?
Who is coming?
When will you be here?
What do you want to do?
Why are you still here?
...etc
The stock keyboard is fine since there is the space above - why not Swype too?
So the question is - first, more theoretical, why would Android default to have the handle there when there is no text entered? (e.g. starting a text or web search)
Secondly, is there any way to get rid of the handle altogether? I've gotten accustomed to Android not having it so I'm good if it's not there but also with Swype there is little reason to go back and edit individual letters.
Maybe someone who works for Swype will see this and add the new (and much improved) word selection bar above the keyboard all the time like stock gingerbread...
Try Swype 3.0 (in beta)?
http://beta.swype.com/
Thanks for the reply. I'm using version 3.6.84.26668.t100.26698
chjade84 said:
Thanks for the reply. I'm using version 3.6.84.26668.t100.26698
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Then I'm afraid I have no idea how to fix your problem. I don't ever get the cursor handle when initially opening an input window. Mine only shows up after I touch it a second time.
I have that same problem with the cursor over the W...very annoying. I've defaulted to skipping the 'W' when I type the first word...
Originally, I was planning on calling the little guy "Gyffy, GYF's sidekick." But then, I though "Oh, wait."
Of course I am still working on my other launcher but in my quest for ever faster access to anything on my phone, I realized that this may be another step forward, albeit with fewer features.
Warning: Alpha version.
No, it will not damage your phone, but it's still early in the dev process so, it is expected to break.
How do I use it?
In a nutshell: see that tiny blue square in the screenshots? Yes, this guy. Just double-tap it to open SK. Then, tap one or more letters.
Oh, and you can move that square wherever you want: long-press, your device vibrates; drag it around.
Limitations
Just about anything you can think of! Since it's such a young project, it lacks:
- preferences
- proper spelling
- resiliency
- initialization speed
- a consistent way to dismiss the launcher window; just tap in the text field or some open space underneath it
Fun yet useless features
- Right now, touching an app launches it; sliding over it reveals a menu for alternate actions but it doesn't offer any yet
- You can swipe left on the keyboard to delete letters; it's highly unreliable
Mandatory Download Link
Screenies
Yes, these were taken using the Genymotion simulator. How observant of you!
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So, that's it?
Oh, no. I can think of a lot of things still missing e.g. shortcuts.
You should see updates very soon.
First page
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
as I opposed to having a magic blue square on your screen, why not have it activated with a dragging of your finger from the edge of a section of the screen? A lot of apps do this and it's pretty easy to use lol.
NlBO said:
as I opposed to having a magic blue square on your screen, why not have it activated with a dragging of your finger from the edge of a section of the screen? A lot of apps do this and it's pretty easy to use lol.
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2072870 :cyclops:
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.
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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.
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And you're using Gboard?
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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"
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Yeah I had just found the setting as well. Glad you got it figured out.