Develop Bugs

[Q] Keyboard - arrow keys?

I'm coming from a phone with a trackball... a MyTouch 3G that I had kept current thanks to CyanogenMod. This is much better lol.
I used that trackball though, all the time, mostly for selecting text that I'd screwed up... or to move the cursor between words where I wanted to add a sentence. But sometimes was nice too, for moving to the next form field, or scrolling focus to the "submit" button, etc.
I'm pretty happy with my Swiftkey X keyboard - it's got an option to enable arrow keys. I'm surprised Swype doesn't? I'm used to Swype and really would like to use that.
So my question is twofold:
Any other good keyboards with either a simulated trackpad or arrow keys?
and/or...
How do you live without it? I can adapt if I know the tricks.

geolemon said:
I'm coming from a phone with a trackball... a MyTouch 3G that I had kept current thanks to CyanogenMod. This is much better lol.
I used that trackball though, all the time, mostly for selecting text that I'd screwed up... or to move the cursor between words where I wanted to add a sentence. But sometimes was nice too, for moving to the next form field, or scrolling focus to the "submit" button, etc.
I'm pretty happy with my Swiftkey X keyboard - it's got an option to enable arrow keys. I'm surprised Swype doesn't? I'm used to Swype and really would like to use that.
So my question is twofold:
Any other good keyboards with either a simulated trackpad or arrow keys?
and/or...
How do you live without it? I can adapt if I know the tricks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hackers keyboard is nice. Has the four arrows and a number row. Plus you can enlarge or reduce the keys.

The best solution I have found so far is an app called GameKeyboard. The dpad simulates the repeated keypress of a held down arrow key, or joystick (which is essential for many games).
However, it has bugs, and the qwerty mode is slow (you swipe horizontally across the keyboard to switch between gamepad mode and keyboard mode). I enable it specifically for games, and then switch back to my main keyboard (i.e. swype) for everything else.
Here's a link:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.locnet.gamekeyboard

in swype there is an arrow option. swype from the swype/option button to the sym/123 button and a arrow keypad comes up. also from sym/123 button to "f" brings up a number pad.

thumb keyboard has arrows

[Q] Raising the virtual keyboard in Chrome.

Is there still any way to bring up the virtual keyboard under Chrome (on the new N7 at least), even when you are not on a text box element?
Some sites capture key presses to do various activities, and the inability to use the keyboard is a definite problem.
An example being ajaxterm (implements a remote terminal emulator via javascript and AJAX, quite handy going through overly restrictive firewalls), no keyboard renders the entire thing useless.
Any suggestions?

I'm not sure. The best solution I can think of off the top of my head is to use a custom rom with button mapping. You can set press and hold functions to software keys and hardware (I think).
I'd say a long press on the Recents button to pull up the IME. Typically Back(Hold) is force close, Home(Back) is Search, nothing is assigned to recents(Hold).
That or an app that sits in the notification tray that has a button for IME....
Or again, the quick notification toggles on custom Roms has an IME enable/disable, I think.
Sent from Nexus 7 FHD from XDA Premium HD

[Q] Silly Keyboard Question

Ok, I'm new to Android with this Note 10.1 2014, and I have what should be an easy question. On the stock keyboard, is there a faster way to use the alternate functions of the keys? Like, adding a question mark or apostrophe, for instance. Do I actually have to hold the key down until it changes to the 2nd character? I've been searching for a shortcut, but obviously not good enough. Thanks!

Bottom left of the Keyboard there is a button with the lettering "Sym" (Symbol), hopefully this helps, mind you I don't own this tablet but that's my guess from watching video reviews :silly:

Google stock keyboard can also be installed from the play store. I like the stock one pretty well be googles spell correct is much much better
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

haterbait said:
Ok, I'm new to Android with this Note 10.1 2014, and I have what should be an easy question. On the stock keyboard, is there a faster way to use the alternate functions of the keys? Like, adding a question mark or apostrophe, for instance. Do I actually have to hold the key down until it changes to the 2nd character? I've been searching for a shortcut, but obviously not good enough. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, with Samsung stock keyboards there is a key on the bottom left labeled "Sym" touch that and it'll change the keyboards QWERTY keys into symbols. Once you press that, the capitalization key that's right above "Sym" will turn into a key labeled "1/2", pressing that will give you another set of less commonly used symbols.
You'll notice the "Sym" key has turned into an "ABC" key when you switch to symbols. Touching that goes back to your regular keyboard. It's a billion times less complicated then how it sounds with my description, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Also, welcome to Android.

Thanks. I was hoping for something like iphones have where you swipe from the SYM button over to the punctuation then upon releasing the key, the keyboard reverts back to the ABC keyboard. Just a bit quicker, I think. Of course, they've probably copyrighted that function and would viciously defend it against imitators!

haterbait said:
Thanks. I was hoping for something like iphones have where you swipe from the SYM button over to the punctuation then upon releasing the key, the keyboard reverts back to the ABC keyboard. Just a bit quicker, I think. Of course, they've probably copyrighted that function and would viciously defend it against imitators!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, it can very well have that. It's never occurred to me to try it. These android keyboards do have swype, which is done by gliding your finger across the keys and words and sentences are formed without ever lifting your finger, so give it a try.
The beautiful thing about android keyboards over their iPhone variant, is the freedom you have to choose from tons of different ones on the marketplace. Different keyboards with different key placements, different levels of customizations, pretty much if you can think of it, it exists. So if your not happy with what shipped with your device nobody is forcing you to use it like Apple does. Head over to the Play Store and find something you like better.
One keyboard app called Swiftkey, is a personal favorite of mine, it's lightening quick to use and very customizable. There's a reason why it's the #1 purchased app on the store. So give it a try and remember you have a 15 minute refund policy with Android, so if you don't like it just return it.

On the playstore, try “multiling O keyboard”
You'll get all the customization you desire.
Sent from my GT-p6800 using XDA Premium HD app

My favorite keyboard is "Thumb Keyboard" from Beansoft. I've been using it since my Xoom a few years ago. I like that it's split in half so when you're in landscape, you hold the tablet with 2 hands and use both thumbs without having to let go to get to keys in the middle. I'm not affiliated with the developer or anything, I just think it's a cool keyboard and I thought I'd share. :good:

Thanks Everyone
Another feature that I'm liking is the floating keyboard. It allows me to use the Spen to quickly swipe text with the keyboard in the corner of the screen. It seems like that keyboard lags though, unfortunately. I'll look into other options in the store then. Thanks again.

The new SwiftKey does the "floating" thing. It's fantastic. Plus you can customize the long-press duration.

SomeGuyDude said:
The new SwiftKey does the "floating" thing. It's fantastic. Plus you can customize the long-press duration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just noticed that swiftkey has a free version in the marketplace. I thought it was pay only. Anyways, hater give it a try. It can be highly personalized to match your style of typing. At first it might feel like it's not giving you what you expect, but that's only because it hasn't learned from you yet. After using for short while it'll learn your finger movements, what words you like to use, your style, etc. It's mind boggling how well it gets to know you and if you login with your Google account you can install swift key on any other Android device in the future and it'll carry that knowledge of your tendencies with it.

The free version seems to be a limited trial of 1 month. I am liking it though! The swipe typing seems a bit more accurate for my sloppy typing/swiping.

Best on screen keyboard?

Love my note. Typing this on our. But I want a keyboard that I can type continously on.
Which keyboard do you prefer and why?
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I like SwiftKey.
I used the trial of SwiftKey for a bit and enjoyed it enough to buy it. I like to make the keyboard quite small and undock it and use my finger or the spen to swype my words out. I can get pretty quick sometimes. The stock one wasn't too bad, if I remember correctly, but while using the small, undocked version there was an annoying lag when summoning it after selecting a text field. Another I liked was the Multiling keyboard. I think that's what it was called.

Hands down Swift key. I can type with my eyes closed on this. Tablet version works great.

YoungSkeezy said:
Love my note. Typing this on our. But I want a keyboard that I can type continously on.
Which keyboard do you prefer and why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I own three keyboards, Swiftkey, Thumb and Swype.
On the Note, I use Swiftkey in split mode (landscape). It works good for me. Not perfect, but good.
It's predictions are very good. But in split landscape mode, it only offers two suggestions at any given time even with all the space available. It would be perfect if it allowed a bit more customization and handled incorrect predictions better. The keyboard on the Palm Pre and the HP Touchpad had better correction feature where if you hit backspace, it would revert back to the word you typed and not the prediction. Thumb keyboard also does that, but Swiftkey does not. I don't understand why since it is so logical. Swiftkey has a number of sizing options and I find it to be the best fit on the Note of all the ones I've tried.
Thumb allows for a lot of customization down to customizing the alternate keys on long presses and long press timing. Swiftkey allows for customization fo long press timing, but not the long press alternate keys. With all the space available in split landscape mode, Swiftkey allows you to place a numerical keypad in the center, but stupidly, not cursor keys, even with all the space. It has cursor keys on the number/symbol page, but it could easily fit them on the main page in split landscape mode. Thumb allows many other keys in what would be the otherwise empty space in split mode, including cursor keys. Also, none allow for a dedicated 5th numerical row like the Palm Pre and HP Touchpad layout, although the Thumb keyboard does allow for a 5th row of custom keys where you could make them numbers, I suppose. But I find the predictions on Thumb to be inferior to Swiftkey by a long shot and none of the themes, sizing and layouts really work for me as well as Swiftkey.
The Swype keyboard just doesn't work well in Landscape mode. The keys are too small and there is no provision for resizing them. So that's just out as an option.
You're best off downloading the free versions and toying around to see what you prefer. But I would try Swiftkey and maybe Thumb.

Multiling O keyboard.
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I started using SwiftKey in mini mode undocked. It goes under my right thumb and I swype one hand like a phone. Not perfect but it works
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I like Flseky. It is elegant and after you get used to type with it, It is really Fast.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.syntellia.fleksy.kb

SlideIt and SwiftKey.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I have Kii on all my device. I like the fact that it can be configured different for portrait and landscape. Like in landscape I don't like the keyboard the full width, I type with one finger so full width is a stretch. I put a 25% margin on the left & 5% on the right. Can have a number row on top or nav arrows on the bottom. Will also do swipe. The predictions aren't as good as Swiftkey but still okay. Themes, lots of configuration, split for thumb typing, themes. You can try the premium features for hour then they reset.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Gemini Keyboard Shortcuts

Got my Gemini on Saturday and just working my way around it.
Was looking at shortcuts for the Gemini Keyboard and found the documentation, however all shortcuts are a combination of a key labelled ? (magnifying glass) plus another key.
For the life of me I cannot find the key that is supposed to be the magnifying glass.
Anyone know which key this is supposed to be
Thanks in advance

larah said:
Got my Gemini on Saturday and just working my way around it.
Was looking at shortcuts for the Gemini Keyboard and found the documentation, however all shortcuts are a combination of a key labelled (magnifying glass) plus another key.
For the life of me I cannot find the key that is supposed to be the magnifying glass.
Anyone know which key this is supposed to be
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think those docs are for generic android with a keyboard; google has been pushing putting a "search" key directly onto keyboards.
The gemini shortcuts are mostly the "Fn" key plus another, which should be labelled. e.g. on mine (UK kbd):
ESC: "back" key, or hold down for "Power"
Fn+ESC: "power"
Fn+D: Android "home" key (desktop, not to be confused with traditional editing "home" key)
Fn+A: Android "recent" key (App switcher)
Alt+Tab: App switcher (standard android binding)
Fn+C: Volume down
Fn+V: Volume up
Fn+B: Brightness down
Fn+N: Brightness up
Fn+Alt: Phone app
Fn+Del: Settings
Fn+T: Mute microphone
Fn+R: Screenshot
etc.

Hope I am not hijacking this thread, but continued question about Fn usage
How does one get all the "strange" characters from the keyboard?
By strange, I mean stuff like "{}[]`/" and similar ones.
From the keyboard looks (symbols imprinted at the bottom of the key) I assumed its a combo of Fn+symbol, but it doesn't work.
I am using US keyboard layout and set to use Gemini keyboard as input method.

matrix200200 said:
How does one get all the "strange" characters from the keyboard?
By strange, I mean stuff like "{}[]`/" and similar ones.
From the keyboard looks (symbols imprinted at the bottom of the key) I assumed its a combo of Fn+symbol, but it doesn't work.
I am using US keyboard layout and set to use Gemini keyboard as input method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you figure this out? I'm trying to find that out now too.

It is [Fn] +'/ ' to bring up the symbols keyboard and you can select them from there. {}[]℅™®©¥¢√π∆~ etc...

Function key
Veritas06 said:
Did you figure this out? I'm trying to find that out now too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you use the Gemini Keyboard app to configure the Gemini US English layout there is actually one more step it seems. Once you've gone through the setup you should receive a notification to configure your keyboard. Select this and select the Gemini keyboard and you will be good to go. I ignored the notification for a while, believing it was prompting me to go through the setup process again but that was not the case.
Hope this helps.