SPB keyboard - HD2 General

My one gripe with the HD2 has always been the keyboard - it is awful especially coming from a Blackberry. I finally broke down and paid the extortionary cost of the Spb keyboard. I am happy to report that it improves things quite a bit, especially if you download some of the extra skins which increase the spaces between the keys.

Why not just use Swype, or even SlideIT?

resco keyboard -> best if u just want to type without features
with features.. FINGERKEYBOARD 2.1!!! xD

Related

Recommend keyboard software

I'm currently using Resco Keyboard instead of the built-in one on my XDA Mini, simply cos it looks a lot nicer.
Can any recommend any other keyboard software that's good? I've tried TenGo and Fitaly, but I don't really want anything fancy that tries to speed up input time but re-arranging keys, etc.
Cheers
markmcrobie said:
I'm currently using Resco Keyboard instead of the built-in one on my XDA Mini, simply cos it looks a lot nicer.
Can any recommend any other keyboard software that's good? I've tried TenGo and Fitaly, but I don't really want anything fancy that tries to speed up input time but re-arranging keys, etc.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spb's FSK? http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/fsk/?en
I use Calligrapher 8.3 for a couple of reasons. It has a shift key on both sides, and you can create a customized numeric and "special key" keyboard in addition to the keyboard. That special keyboard comes in very handy for entering in contacts.
It's a bit pricey at 39.99USD, and I've found that the other features of Calligrapher aren't for me, but there's no denying that you get a lot more for the money than just the great keyboards it provides.

Resco keyboard?

Does anyone no where i can find a nice looking keyboard program for my titan. The resco keyboard program is nice but expensive, and i hate the original screen keyboard, anything out there?
Here are two I've tried....
PocketCM Keyboard v0.14
TouchPal v3.0
The former is free, and the latter has free and commercial versions of the same product. I'm currently using TouchPal, like it, and will probably spring for the Professional Mode version.
NICE!!!!, thanx nlg
Software Keyboard (seems fast)
Hi Guys,
I've just got a newsletter with a link to an interesting keyboard.
There are two version there, looking very similar, one's free, and the other is the PRO version and seems to do more. The link was:
http://www.fingertouchpro.com/
The guy in the video seems to type really fast with it, I was thinking that it would run well on my Axim's large screen. I'll let you know my first impressions after I install it.
Cheers!

resco or spb keyboard

hie guys what is the best keyboard based on your experience between resco keyboard and spb keyboard on the touch HD thanks
I tried the resco - it's got issues [as mentioned on the thread/wiki regarding what does and doesn't work on the HD]
Resco - the carriage return triggers annoyingly often unless you're absolutely 100% accurate....which really defeats the philosophy of much of the program IMO
Not tried the SPB on the HD - but seem to recall that the wiki states that doesn't work as well - dont quote me on that though - check it out
spb keyboard
I recommend you guys give a try to the new spb keyboard version 4.0..It is brilliant!
Avantis said:
I recommend you guys give a try to the new spb keyboard version 4.0..It is brilliant!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its good but then the other features like auto correct,word suggestion and auto correct only work in landscape mode and i use opera mini more than opera mobile and because opera mini will not rotate to landscape mode i therefore cannot use auto correct which i very much like as i chat and type a lot using opera mini.
Iv tried all those keyboards and now im using the latest version of touchpal and in my opinion that is the best iv used. check this video out from youtube to see how it works
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMrJ7Cci_A
I found Resco to be buggy. For no reason, the key preview popup stops whe you press a key. Also I hate not having a Control key. (Some of the downloaded skins look awful on the HD, fonts bunch up in one corner etc)
Spb is ok but I wish to god they would give us auto correct and word suggestion in portrait mode. Also I simply cannot get skins to work. If I download and install any skin, it does not become available in the options. Has anyone else had this trouble? any fix ???
TouchPal is buggy on my HD, some times it stops responding. I found that going into Remote Desktop to configure a client triggers this (but it happens elsewhere also)
So, they all have issues, they all have bloddy annoying issues. Is it to do with HD compabability or are they all badly coded and thought out ?
Please someone write a decent keyboard......
xdaman85 said:
Iv tried all those keyboards and now im using the latest version of touchpal and in my opinion that is the best iv used. check this video out from youtube to see how it works
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMrJ7Cci_A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why is it that most of these demo videos on youtube are without sound ???
I'll add my recomendation for touchpal. I've tried all of them but touchpal is better than spb, resco and pocketcm.
The only thing that i find negative about touchpal is that it doesn't spread out in landscape, stays in the center. Looks a bit odd.
Here is a comparison between the different virtual keyboards.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-devices/review/2008/08/31/Touch-keyboards-for-Windows-Mobile/p1
I've just installed TouchPal but how do you activate the keyboard?
It's still stuck on the default HTC KB. I can't find no app icon for TouchPal or any sign of it in input setting etc.
Many thanks
I suggest you guys try this keyboard
Well to start with you are presented with graphics options, and I have to say the default skin is very pleasing to the eye.
This keyboard offers 5 (five) !!! different keyboard layouts, all in one single, very little memory consuming application.
Having 5 layouts it's very easy to find your perfect choice.
But there's more, you actually have tons of powerful options like T9 (with language customized dictionaries, including the ability to add your new words), or the drag-and-drop over the keys to move them as you like (yes, you can actually move the keys arround with a simple drag).
Another powerful thing I like is that you can change the keyboard's height, you can make it full screen, or to any size you like, the keyboard will just get to the size you indicate.
Honestly, there are so many features, that you can't miss this! It's much much better then resco or spb's keyboard, it simply surpasses them with strong features.
There is a trial version (the pro version) here , and a freeware version too. There are several videos there too that are very helpful for discovering the features.
non-htc keyboard issue
One thing I have noticed is that non-htc keyboards (including transcriber) do not generate address lists when writing in the email or sms address bar. I have not tried Tesco but spb and resco have this limitation. Has anyone found a way to overcome this problem?
Neither Resco nor SPB. try TouchPal
hazem77 said:
Neither Resco nor SPB. try TouchPal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does TouchPal bring up phone numbers when typing in sms addressee?
I truly admire people who are able to use TouchPal efficiently, but I'm not one of them. I tried it as my only input method for about a month, making an effort to investigate all the tips and tricks and shortcuts. In the end I found it to be clumsy and over-engineered. I downloaded a trial of SPB 4 and within 2 hours had paid the $15 for the full version. It is easy to use in portrait or landscape and has a CTRL key on the default keyboard. It just behaves the way I expect a keyboard to work and doesn't expect me to learn anything about it in order to get the most out of it.
Danish layout
If I purchase a keyboard for my future HD, will it then automatically have a danish layout with the danish letters such as "å,æ, and ø"?
Hope someone knows the answer
Thanks in advance
EDIT:
Btw, sorry for off-topic..
True about Resco keyboard buggyness.
Spb keyboard 4.0 runs much smoother.
Very nice feature by switching full screen to mid screen.
Ned to try it in Opera Mobile.
Do you rely need all those layouts?
What about auto correct and stuff in other languages?
PS.: If you come across spb keyboard 4.0 k e y msg me!
I'd be happy with my Spb full-screen keyboard if the damn thing would just stay as the default after a soft reset! If anyone knows this, please feel free to chime in.
EDIT: Yes, I already tried SIPchange, and having a prog crash after every soft reset is not cool either.
snootch said:
I'd be happy with my Spb full-screen keyboard if the damn thing would just stay as the default after a soft reset! If anyone knows this, please feel free to chime in.
EDIT: Yes, I already tried SIPchange, and having a prog crash after every soft reset is not cool either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched for this as well; SKTools does the trick. It can't trick the system to use SPB Keyboard as default, but it changes the SIP to whatever you like, in background, after every reset (you need to specify a long enough delay so that the TF3D can load before that - I set mine to 40 seconds and it works as it should). Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Rok
in my opinion, Touchpal is the best among all the keyboards I have tried. For those trying to set default keyboard and fail, try using SIPChange and set the time to 30 seconds. Mine works without problem with Touchpal. Hope it helps.

Keyboard Comparisons...

Hello,
Currently I have a Hero and I love the keyboard experience. Although, sometimes it does have a bit of lag and the keys hang as a long press, but thats very rare.
Texting for me is one main feat on a phone and I'm hoping the keyboard on the HD2 will match the one on the Hero.
All you people out there that have the phone, can you please let us know what you think of the keyboard and how it performs compared to other devices you have used.
Let us know the other device too so we can compare if we have that.
Many thanks everyone!
no lag.. very very very sensitive.. some would say almost too sensitive. Personally prefer inout on my iphone but it I will reserve judgement on HD2 for at least two weeks. Out of the box though, for me, its too sensitive.
i would like to see a youtube video with someone typing "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" as fast as they can, and if using the XT9 feature just do it in your own language.. Its just to get an idea of the responsiveness.. And oh, does it do landscape keybaord thingy?
Today I compared typing on my HD2 to my friends iPhone 3G and I definately preferred typing on the iPhone. Faster typing and a lot less errors. Probably because once you have tapped on a letter you can't change it, but with the HTC keyboard you can, which can prove to be quite annoying.
Thats not to say that the HD2 typing experience is bad, its definately better than all my older devices.
I found the keyboard better than the touch hd's, but it still can be annoying with the mistakes. sometimes it freezes or delays. I had a bunch of hardware keyboard phones before, typing speed on the hd2 is nothing close to what you could do on the tilt for example.
Installing SPB Keyboard nearly solves all of the keyboard problems on the HD2.
I've tried HTC's, Resco's and SPB's keyboard, and SPB is by far the best for fingers, since it does not change letters after you type them, and it even allows for a full-screen keyboard when you need to type a lot of complicated symbols.
Resco's is too small and makes it hard to type symbols besides letters, and sometimes sticks its SIP where you don't want it; HTC's is overly predictive and corrective, changing what you type as you type it, to the detriment of productivity. SPB just works.
SPB Shell + SPB Keyboard is a must-have for the HD2 I think.
anyone tried this?
http://www.mobiletextinput.com/about.php
my TD2 is sold, and awaiting the HD2 so cant try it out

How r u guys coping without a stylus?

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to know from those who are moving from HD to HD2.. how are you guys coping without a stylus??
I am so much in a habit to pull out the stylus from the blackstone...
Are the OK and the X easy to press... scroll bar??
Thanks guys!!
Having moved from a HD to a HD2 about six weeks ago (with 1st batch from Clove Tech) I have one reply for you "what's a stylus ?"
Seriously, it's very good. I have moved to using the Resco keyboard as the standard one is too sensitive and sometimes I use Swype which is amazingly accurate.
So far, I only miss the little metal pointy thing for SPB finance (vintage 2008) which really needs a stylus for operation. But, I'm now using http://sites.google.com/site/maximusmobileproject/Current-Apps/winmoFinance which seems a good alternative.
So, here's one delighted user that the stylus is gone. Second-hand HD with spare stylus anyone ?
Never used my stylus on my HD so not missing it at all. The down arrows in certain menus are a little tricky to operate some times (like changing the text message notification) but if you get the screen alignment right then you get it used where to press. But then, that's the OS problem rather than the phone so when WM7 comes along hopefully it'll all be great!
Moved from a Xperia, which is not useable without stylus, to HD2.
No problem.
well, just fine sometimes I hit the wrong thing, but now I'm adjusted to the sensitivity, I feel that I can text easier than on my iphone. I don't notice anything in the GUI that winmob was designed for a stylus. well,not really, though
Totally agree with the above, and I too came from a HD to a HD2, but had a very similar ROM on the HD, and had already got that as finger friendly as possible, so not much of a transition.
With respect to one particular question...
prateekgujral said:
scroll bar??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh they're actually fun to use! It goes wider where you put your thumb on it, so it's actually easier to use than it was with a stylus!
Sounds good.. thanks
I came to the HD2, from an Athena (X7500) for me the lack of a stylus has turned out to be a big issue*, I cannot enter data reliability nor use applications such as Cash Organizer or Pocket Informant reliably. It is a fine media phone though. I rather hope that the rumoured HTC patented stylus may be a help here
*(This is an opinion, because it may differ from other peoples opinion, it does not make me a Troll, Stupid, or a member of a vast anti-Windows-Mobile conspracy)
Coming from a Kaiser to Leo I thought I would miss both hardware keyboard and stylus, truth is I have missed neither. My typing speed is still not as quick but is getting better all the time.
I had an HTC Touch and then an MDA Compact IV (HTC Diamond). Of course, I still go for the stylus (conditioned reflex) but always realise that I really do not need it. I was very apprehensive when I ordered the HD2 but the apprehension vanished when I tried to use it without the stylus. No need for it at all. I even ported my Sudoku Mastersoft 2.0 and play it every time with no problem! It's true that, eventually, you come across bits that need a stylus and where finger pinching does not work, but that's once every 99 times you use the HD2. Fear not. Go for it. And take advantage of all the .cabs available here. I dowloaded a dozen of them, so had no need to touch the registry.
I've been using Touch Pro for more than a year now. After around 7 months I stopped using the stylus completely, even for Solitare. Without any problems.
HD2 is going to come to me next week and there is no way it could be worce, since it has a capacitive and huuuuuge screen.
Don't worry / don't hesitate to get one.
Using HD2 for 3 weeks. At first I thought I'd go to buy the HD2 stylus as soon as it is available, but now I have second thoughts.
Yes, it is much easier to work with a stylus. Even after practice, the finger is not as precise. Working with Listpro is a really difficult when I have narrow columns that shows exactly a checkbox. I hope listpro will soon release its finger friendly version, or another product will attract me to leave listpro.
I think many "old" applications will have similar troubles. Even some of the Windows screen (like the Connections setting screen) have small UI elements and are not really finger friendly. I can only hope things will improve in the future.
At first, the capacitive screen (and thus the lack of stylus) was a factor that nearly drove me to buy Omnia II instead of HD2. I still am not convinced whether one of these two devices is better than the other, but I heard the WM7 is going to be capacitve and so finger is the future.
PS: for legacy applications, it is very difficult to control the scroll bar when the list is long. When the list is short (say 100 entries), the finger sized scroll button is rather good to use. For big pages (say 300 entries, or the help file of swype), I found that it is nearly impossible to scroll. The list keep jumping around uncontrollably. For big lists, I am forced to use the swype page up page down buttons.
Within Sense UI it is very easy to use finger-only. Once you jump into WM it can get difficult to hit certain lists/buttons.
I have my HD2 for about38 days already. In the first week I was hunting high and low for a stylus and eventually bought 2 types ( meant for iphone). However I found is a waste of money as it takes a lot of hard presses to get the stylus working well; so both stylus gone into the trash can. Then I realized I just need to "exercise" my fingers to make best use of it. I am proud to say now I do not miss the stylus and I find that my finger presses had improved dramatically and accuracy of keys input is 99.99 % and pretty fast. I was on Swype for keyboard input for about 2 weeks ( a fantastic piece of software - highly recommended). However now I go back to use the default touch input for normal use as I have now find it very easy to use now. I now swype only for cases needing lots of data input .
Has the HTC HD2 Capacitive Stylus been released yet ?
I see it's being advertised here:
http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?product=83E47B82-89E5-4C33-95D5-84F7AE3C3F50
no problem without stylus at all if somebedy have problems with any app, you can add this app to pinch to zoom whitelist, and than just zoom in and click on it
i sometimes miss my stylus, there is really a problem but others advantages of finger scrolling make no turning back! i have accepted the inconveniences!
can't play All Mobile Minesweeper anymore... and many other games...
Moved from the SE X1 where I did use my finger for some things (even typing with FingerKeyboard - brilliant piece of software). Haven't missed the stylus much except for using TotalCommander which can be a real pain!
Most of the time it is OK. But I wish there was an accurate stylus. All Mobile Mines was a favourite of mine. I find Total Commander impossible to use. Data on the Run 5 (a database app I use to record all my books) is a swine to use, as it is designed for stylus. Some apps do not show a scroll bar that expands, so are very difficult (Opera for one!) Zooming in can be hit and miss, and can zoom back out when you do not want it to.
Keyboard is OK (but I was quicker on hx4700) when desensitised (I use BsB 1.6).
Sense UI is very clever, but the icons are huge "off the shelf" and waste so much space.
I really miss easy access to task manager; on my hx4700 I used Magic Button but it is not happy with WM6.5, and I don't want more memory hoggers running. The small icons it creates for runing programs are too easy to miss-hit, and WM6.5 could not show as many as WM2003SE, so it was pointless using it. Now I have Task Manager shortcut in my home screen to switch between progs. I have not found a 16 icon home screen fix that works for me, but it is to my mind a must.

Categories

Resources