[Q] Keyboard - arrow keys? - Samsung Epic 4G Touch

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

Related

Diamond Keyboard

Saw that there is now a cab file for the HTC Diamond keyboard. [link]. Anyone know if this will work on the Touch?
Yes it does
I put it on my xv6900 & my xv6800- works fine.
any feelings on this keyboard? I started with the older HTC keyboard, then moved to TouchPal. I'm curious to try it out, but it looks like its just a skinned and mildly updated version of HTC keyboard.
Using the diamond keyboard on the VZW Touch right now. Works well, no real issues found as of yet. Like it for the fact that it has more buttons and I love the "Switch" for the ABC and xT9.
~JMD
It works well but in QWERTY mode, the letter Z is missing
Mine has the Z on both phones.
I like that I'm not stuck with the qwerty keyboard in opera now on my touch
wonder if the diamond keyboard originally has the sound when you select the keys like the htc phonepad had?
Touch User P3450
this Diamond Keboard Work's But its realy slow ....Delay each time U tap...
Word completion
I have it installed, but have lost word completion. Anyone else?
I don't know, i really like the PCM Keyboard. I can't find one that's as simple to use and functions well.
purelithium said:
I don't know, i really like the PCM Keyboard. I can't find one that's as simple to use and functions well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try out the Diamond kb, currently using PCM also. I also really appreciate the simplicity of the PCM and how it takes up very little screen space (compared to others), but I really hate that I have to change layouts to get to the period (.) key. IMO, this should be on the main layout, being a such often used key.
wow....has anyone failed to mention that the "qwerty" mode doesnt work in landscape?????? that is a huge drawback for such a nicely skinned keyboard....hope this gets fixed soon
I mainly use the keyboard layout. When I hit the shift key the characters show as caps and types a cap, but then stay displayed that way even though they are no longer typing caps (at least until I enter a space, then the displayed letters return to normal). Makes it hard to tell when I have caps turned on/off. If I tap the shift key a couple more times then the display will change back, but it's annoying. The landscape qwerty seems to be working fine for me, unlike what another user said (and it's not showing the shift display problem I mentioned).
It would be nice if when a key is pressed the enlarged view of the key displayed above the key, so that my finger is not covering it up. What I mean is like the way the PCM keyboard works, or like the iPhone.

D-pad for rhodiium

Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
fortunz said:
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
poetryrocksalot said:
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
fortunz said:
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha that's hilarious
DPad Desire
I just got my TP2 a few days ago, my personal desire would be a DPAD app that uses the whole keyboard, so generically pressing rowards the left of the keys is left (like Q,W,A,S,D), towards the top is up (like 4,5,6,R,T,Y) etc. etc.
Then an assignable button for select, like space bar or FN.
Anyway, it would make sense to me and be easier to use especially for games , I find the DPAD being on the bottom right a bit annoying but they've done a good job fitting it all in!
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
so HOW can you map different actions to the zoom slider? like scroll?!
petard said:
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He spaced the hell outta himself one time.. pissing of an employee at SE so he wouldnt give us valuable info anymore on a new phone that comes out in the end of the year
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
QUOTE]
this may be your oponion, but that's no reason for putting other people down.
personnaly i use the volume buttons as up/down. thsi works very wel if you are scrolling in your emails. if i want to clean up my mailbox i can scroll the mails and delete them with my left soft-key. ik i tap the email is opened, but i dont always want to open the mail because this is time-consuming.
So you see, for some people these functions can be very usefull.
So please have an open mind en don't think you opinion is the only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xdadJeroen said:
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive seen the reviews. The OS is bs its generally a bs phone. Wouldnt bother with it. Although fingerprint scanner is very cool.
On topic: SCROLL WITH ZOOM BAR! Had the wheel as a scroller on my TP and i want similar on my TP2
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the Topaz? It doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard or a D-pad.
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG. Somebody is a grumpy-pants and got up on the wrong side of the bed.
This phone would be almost perfect if it had a scroll wheel or a D-pad. This device uses WM6.1 and this is the norm for WM6.1 (this may change with WM6.5)
I can easily envision how the use of the zoom bar or the volume buttons as a scroll wheel or d-pad replacement could work efficiently and better than the "freaking" stylus. All because you lack the vision to make it work doesn't mean that it cannot work well.
For example. The zoom bar could have five zones: up, left, select, right, & down. Just put some tape over the zoom bar with the map, and viola.
Also, what about phones like the Topaz? Where's the "freaking" arrow keys or the enter/select key?
You may be content with the phone, but others may not.

[Q] HELP! looking for keyboard with arrows

is there another keyboard that has arrows like the one on the bottom of the stock 2.2 keyboard? i like the stock keyboard in all but its not like the multitouch droid keyboard. i wish someone could put those arrows on that keyboard
Swype has a special editing keyboard, by swyping from the Swype key to the SYM key.
Alternatively, there's a keyboard called Full Keyboard in the market. It's not great for day-to-day typing, and doesn't have a horizontal mode, but it has all of the editing keys you could want (arrows, del, insert, etc.) as well as Ctrl+*letter* keys, making it great for SSH sessions in ConnectBot.
I've been using the demo of Smart Keyboard, available in the Market. You tap the number key twice and it brings up a screen with arrows, a delete key, Tab and and Enter key. Then you switch back by hitting the ABC key. The skin I'm using is the iPhone skin. It has small spaces between the keys. It works for me.
I really like SwiftKey the best. It not only guesses the words you're typing, but also the next word. Works really well, but no arrows.
I also found a useful little app that allows you to have a virtual trackball, called Virtual Trackball. It's useful for moving around when you're trying to edit text. It also allows for a virtual d-pad. It's in the Market and costs .99 Euro. I think it's worth it. The developer is very responsive and is adding more features. I used to have trouble with it going away when running a lot of apps, but the new update seems to have made it persist better. If it disappears, you just hold on the home key to bring up recent apps and turn it on again.

[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.

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.

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