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.
Just wondering if anyone has tried the Xoom BT keyboard on any of the AOSP ROMs? Specifically, do all or any of the Android shortcut keys work? Or would I be better off spending less money on a generic Windows BT Keyboard?
Here is the KB I am referring to...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/MOTOROLA-89451N/15779800
I guess I'll answer my own question, more to provide information for others. I went to Fry's today and picked up one of these keyboards and was very happy to see it working with Decks Gingerbread ROM. There are some hotkeys not working right, but for the most part this this is awesome. A co-worker went with me and bought one for his Xoom and it works great on that as well! Here is a list of things that aren't working (so far).
- Menu button does not bring up the menu (but fn + F1 does).
- Things get weird in landscape mode:
-- Left/Right arrows perform Up/Down operation and Up/Down arrows perform Left/Right operations.
- Hot key for launching Google Music App (when it's set as default) fc's every time (but app does launch manually).
- When in the browser, you have to use the Search button to type in a URL (there is no way to navigate or arrow to the URL entry box).
- Seems to work much better in portrait mode.
- Have to use arrows to navigate from text box to text box, the tab key does not tab like it does in Windows.
I would love to see an app that would allow you to remap the keys, but haven't found anything in the market for this. If you know of something that would help in this regard, please post a reply.
I previously connected a Dell BT Mouse and got that working perfectly, so I can't wait to get home and use the mouse and the KB together. I am also going to try out the HDMI mirroring and see how well this will preform as a stand alone console. If any one is interested in the outcome, reply to this thread. Otherwise I'll just let it die off slowly...
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
My Galaxy S4 has an Assistant Menu which provides things like an on screen Home and menu button. It's not in my Note 8.0 yet but may be added in a future release I guess.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk HD
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
I am using GMD gesture control on note 2&8 to simulate hardware buttons and keeping full screen for applications
Envoyé depuis mon GT-N7100 avec Tapatalk
Same issue as the OP, I'm using LMT with a pie control right on top of the hardware home button.
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
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Click to collapse
I use Taskbar task switcher by gdroid, it places a Return to desktop shortcut along with a configurable number of recent apps in the notifications pull down.
sisterchick said:
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
ual4720 said:
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
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Click to collapse
Thanks, that would be useful. Is it also possible to assign those actions to a long-press? For example, Menu goes to Home with long press.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Handy Hardware Button
MikeChelen said:
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Habit would probably be the best answer. I came to the Note 8 from a hacked Nook Color running CM10. I got accustomed to waking the device with the "n" hardware button. Like my old Nook, I put a non-slip bumper case on my Note 8 which makes pushing the power button to wake a little tedious. I also like to read in the dark and like the hardware key as a landmark for orientation when I pick it up with the lights off. Finally, I use the tablet in the kitchen on a stand for displaying recipes. I use a cheapest of the cheap $5 stylus in the kitchen to wake it up by pushing the hardware key and for scrolling pages so I don't get the tablet or the S-pen all gunked up with cookie dough from my fingers.:silly:
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROM
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMT Pie
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
tokugawa said:
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
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Click to collapse
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
hertsjoatmon said:
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
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Click to collapse
It's still a bit annoying to me in landscape mode, but in Portrait mode it's been actually quite fine (even drawing). Perfect would be an app that could just temporarily disable/toggle it (maybe via a small 1x1 widget). Then if I want to use it in landscape mode (or whenever Im going to use it in a way that could be annoying with the capacitive keys), I could simply turn it on.
I do like the physical/capacitive keys in general too, since I also value the screen real estate so I guess for me a toggle solution would be best. Maybe I'll investigate into it and make it myself...
Or you can add Home button as Multiwindow "app" with this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t2.shome
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Hi, there's a way for disabling the capacitive keys, just look under development here on this forum. The mod will disable the keys and require the S Pen to make them work (quite useful for landscape) to enable On-Screen Buttons you should try this (works on the Galaxy S3/Note/Note II) I haven't tested in the Note 8 but I will as soon as I get mine (by the end of this month).
Enable on-screen buttons:
You will need root access for this.
Install ES File Explorer File Manager on your Note from the Play Store. This is a file manager that will be used to edit those system files to enable/disable on-screen/soft buttons.
Open ES Explorer. Then, click the menu button on your device and click Settings. Here, tick the “Up to Root” option. Then go down and tick the “Root Explorer” option, then press Allow/Grant button when prompted to grant it root access. Then, tick the “Mount File System Option” as well. Once all three options are selected, press back to exit the settings.
Hit the Up on top in ES Explorer till you reach the outermost folder (till it says / at the top).
Go into the system folder, then scroll down to find the build.prop file (Copy this file to a Safe location!!).
Tap on this file to start editing it. If you get an “Open With” prompt, select “ES Note Editor”.
Now, at the end of the file (at the bottom after the last line), add the line “qemu.hw.mainkeys=0″ (without the ” quotes), then save the file (press the Menu button to see the Save option).
Then, reboot. After the boot up, you should have the virtual on-screen buttons on your screen.
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app
EDIT
How-to: disable the home button
The thread that Samper was referring to is at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250941
I can't post there yet, so I would like to add here that after disabling the menu/back buttons as described there, I worked out how to disable the home button. Following the same instructions as in the above link, also edit the gpio-keys.kl, changing the last line by adding a # to the beginning, so it looks like this:
Code:
#key 172 HOME WAKE
Now that all three buttons are completely dead (though the pen will still activate the menu/back buttons), I use LMT Launcher to provide pie controls at the bottom of the screen. Get it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150. PieControl from the Play Store is an easier-to-configure but less powerful alternative to LMT.
The lack of normal Android buttons is a pain on this phone. You have to swipe up to go back, and this seems to work only half the time. Button Savior creates on-screen buttons that are usually hidden behind a very small icon at the side of the screen (or wherever). Click on that icon and a set of traditional Android buttons open up allowing you to go back, open the menu, etc. There is a root version and a non-root version, and it is available on Aptoide if you don't have Google play store access. It is free, with a pro version that gives you extra options. This app solves a lot of problems with the Fire Phone native interface.
The app was designed for devices with broken buttons. I had a Galaxy Tab tablet that had buttons that quit working. This app saved the tablet.
I hear Pie Control works too. Still relies on swipe to get your nav buttons.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2454531
Personally, I got used to the swipe to back out. And if that fails, there's always the home button. I'm using Nokia Z Launcher, the gesture control fits in well with that.
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.
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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.