Related
Is there any way to.get swype anymore? I hate the streaks keyboard. JusT makes mistakes constantly. Iv never had this problem with other touch screens.
Couldnt we get a better landscape keyboard and maybe a short style keyboard in potrait like on the storm?
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
try better keyboard. i love it
PM me with your info and I'll email you the apk.
Joe
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Done..
Hope its good as the hype
I've gotta admit I'm liking the keyboard! I know most people hate the numeric keypad but I actually find it handy. It's far more responsive and acurate than my HTC hero ever was. The only thing I miss is the whole predictive word thingy were you can select the word you want after typing in a couple of the letters, that and auto correct.
The Dell Streak keyboard (holding the device horizontal) is awesome. Holding vertical is a little bit tricky... would it be possible to use swype in vertical and normal in horizontal?
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Link to swype if any one needs it
http://hotfile.com/dl/53625035/d463ee3/swype.android.inputmethod.v1.56.30.7625.WVGA.apk.html
bloody AMAZING! Couldnt have asked for better. Even if you dont like the whole tracing idea just the normal keys are much faster to type on than dells tiny keyboard
You can turn on word suggestion and auto-correct in the input settings, they're pretty effective too. Don't know why they weren't on as default.
eagleman said:
I've gotta admit I'm liking the keyboard! I know most people hate the numeric keypad but I actually find it handy. It's far more responsive and acurate than my HTC hero ever was. The only thing I miss is the whole predictive word thingy were you can select the word you want after typing in a couple of the letters, that and auto correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't link to swype, they treat it as warez, and it will get xda-dev in trouble.
i must be the only person who HATES swype...dont get it..takes me longer to txt.
I would love the droid x/evo/any htc kyboard haha...anybody ever get any of these working?
Tried better keyboard, but prefer one of the above!
I just tried swipe - wow its pretty good, even if you don't use the tracing (which is very impressive) the larger keyboard works great for big fingers like mine.
Just wish I could work out how to get a new line.
Well, here's my two pennies worth on the keyboard issue: being a bit old fashioned, I didn't fancy the idea of swype. I'd rather have waited for a decent tap-style keyboard but out of boredom I tried it out, I love it! Even using it as a tap keyboard its miles better than the stock one, but after trying out the swype method I'm really impressed with how quickly I got accustomed to it. I'm making far fewer mistakes than I used to on the stock kb. I'm sure it'll take some time to get used to where some of the symbols are, but I'm more than happy to persevere with it as basic typing really is outstandingly easy. Often I think there's no way it's going to get this word straight away, but it does even if my swyping is not that accurate. I'd go a far as saying it's almost revolutionary! Ok, maybe I'm getting a bit carried away, but I've got really big hands and was struggling to use the old keyboard.
Only wish is that there was a close button for the keyboard as sometimes I can't see where I'm typing, especially on web pages, doesn't happen often enough to bother me though.
I find the swype method a bit redundant on the streak as the keys are big enough to type quite accurately
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Polish keyboard
Hello Everybody.
If I get Streak from UK is it possible to change kb for polish one or use polish letters?
Edit: of course I mean on screen keyboard!
Regards
Peter
Guest69 said:
Only wish is that there was a close button for the keyboard as sometimes I can't see where I'm typing, especially on web pages, doesn't happen often enough to bother me though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when the keyboard gets in my way I can usually hit the "go back" button to make it disappear.
shEEEsh said:
when the keyboard gets in my way I can usually hit the "go back" button to make it disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aargh! I can't believe I didn't try that!! Thankyou shEEEsh!
Guest69 said:
Aargh! I can't believe I didn't try that!! Thankyou shEEEsh!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also hold down 'Menu' to make it disappear (and also appear anywhere, for some reason). AND if you have the default Streak keyboard in landscape mode, there's a blue arrow in the top left that closes it. You're spoilt for choice on the Streak!
Also, a great keyboard replacement is Swiftkey beta (free until at least 13 Sept). It's in the Market. It uses some pretty advanced prediction techniques that works and learns really well (it even reads your SMS history to teach itself!) The Streak isn't on the list of compatible devices but I can confirm it works great and fills the screen properly (unlike some other keyboard replacements I've tried).
Hey,
Try swiftkey, it is so much better, using the standard keyboard I was making some many mistakes and activating the caps lock all the time, the only thing I miss is the left and right keys
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Now I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this, but I really like the iPhone's keyboard. The stock Android keyboard is nice, but it's not the same layout which bugs me, and its autocorrect isn't very good. I was wondering how hard it would be for someone to modify the layout of a better keyboard like the HTC one or something. The iPhone's keys are more square and they have a slightly different layout, especially for the symbols section. Another thing I use frequently is that if you tap and hold on the symbols button you can drag to a symbol and let go, and it goes back to the letters.
I'd think this isn't TOO hard. I don't care what it looks like; I just want the layout. There's one on the market called something like iPhone Keyboard Simulator, and the layout is pretty spot on, but it's not quite perfect and the autocorrect doesn't work for **** (at least on my N1 running Froyo).
I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like this.
If it helps give an idea why I like the iPhone keyboard more, I don't think the stock Android one is bad apart from the fact that its autocorrect isn't all that good. (HTC's one beats everything hands down in that respect.)
Again, I don't care what it looks like, though it'd be nice if it matched the stock Android keyboard or looked somewhat similar to the iPhone or HTC keyboards.
I don't know anything about Java, but if there's anything I can do to help someone make something like this I'd be more than happy to. I'd even donate if it's a good project.
Thanks!
I think u might be looking for Better Keyboard. It does have an Iphone theme, but well HTC_IME beats them all.
Aoi_sora9x said:
I think u might be looking for Better Keyboard. It does have an Iphone theme, but well HTC_IME beats them all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember trying Better Keyboard and disliking it, but I might be mistaken. Either way, I'm not looking for the THEME. Android is Android, and although I think iPhone looks nicer I don't see a point in giving mine a poker face. I just like the feel and layout of the iPhone keyboard. It could look like a turd but if it feels the same it's still a pleasure to type on.
search the market for smart keyboard pro
+1 for smart keyboard pro...you have to try it to know how good it is
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I like the droid multitouch keyboard.
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Twenty minutes before the first bump and between the first and second - get a bit of patience! People aren't lurking on forums waiting to jump on your every post...
1. Yes - Minimalistic Text and others
3. Yes - search Play store for "picture widget"
4. Why not Swype? What makes it unsuitable (that'll make it easier for others to make suggestions.
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Honestly, any keyboard that works well with one hand, will also reconfigure so much that you'll essentially have to relearn it.
Messagease and 8pen are good with one hand, but they obviously don't look anything like qwerty. And one-hand typing is really only feasible with phones anyway.
Best bet is just to use voice recognition and hope it really is as up to snuff.
You're probably not going to like my answer, but I tried this (also with a person who had use of only one arm) and it didn't work. I mounted it to a table on a movable arm to make it easy to use.
Beyond the shaking hands and weak eyes, the biggest problem is understanding the UI. To you and I it's not complicated, but we grew up with computers. That's not any sort of judgment; the guy was capable of using a windows XP computer (very very slowly), it's just that switching to a new IU is much more confusing to the older brain than for a younger brain. They just don't have the filters to pick out the important information from the screen quickly, and every step requires conscious thought. This can be very tiring for an older person, and--at least in my experience--older people don't have a lot of tolerance for frustration.
I don't want you to be discouraged by this; I spent weeks on this (and several hundred dollars) and ended up getting him a small laptop on which I installed a simplification program that allowed only basic email and internet. But your relative may be more savvy, have better coordination, or just more interest in making it work. Here's what I'd suggest:
1) "minimalist text" can be customized to put static text on the screen. You'll have to play with it a bit.
2) There's no applications I can think of that make it easier, but I'd suggest giving her some system to mount it where she can both see and reach it. Have her sit as she would when she wanted to use it (chair, table, bed) and figure out how she can use it with her arm resting on something.
3) I think the picture frames widget is included in stock android. I'd strongly suggest against using anything other than a solid-colored background though. Again, it's difficult for an older brain to parse large amounts of information, and older eyes to see past the contrasts. I'm sure there's some way to have a rotating photo widget on some part of the screen in the market though.
4) Swiftkey. It's a bit advanced, but has one major advantage: predictive text. She can enter a few letters and the software will come up with a few words. Often it will get the intended word within a few letters, which can save a lot of inputs. That said, I think the stock android keyboard in JB has this functionality too, so you might hold off and try that.
A few other suggestions:
1) Get a launcher that can be cut down to just one screen. ADW EX does this. And get rid of the elastic screens (allows it to stay static). You said you already have a custom launcher in mind; which one were you thinking of?
2) When AOKP gets their hands on this, they'll allow you to add and change buttons to the notification bar. Get rid of the long-presses, maybe even get rid of everything but the home and back button.
3) Forget the speech recognition stuff. Old voices are not easy to understand for anyone, much less a computer, and convincing an older person to speak slowly and annunciate is not easy. Also, the first time it doesn't work you'll have a very frustrated relative to deal with...
4) Keep it simple. The first time you show her how to use it pick one thing (probably email or video chat) and show her how to do just that. If you take just one suggestion from me it's this. Add something next time, once she gets how to do email or video chat (test her first). Seriously, everyone will end up happier as a result.
OK, good luck! Hope it works better for you than it did for me!
I would say, a very simple background. No live wallpapers. A Big clock widget,
Get her a Bluetooth Keyboard, there is no sense in trying to force an older person to use a touch screen, that requires near perfect fingers. A normal keyboard is something she most likely has seen and used before. So it will feel normal.
A Widget for changing volume. Something with like a large Plus and Minus sign, and a big percent so she can easily see how loud it is.
Brad387 said:
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol man, RELAX. Bumping your thread like that is terrible forum etiquette.
I'd refer to your own thread that you opened not long before this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757848
Aps at startup
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Thanks. I will likely use Nova Launcher to keep the amount of screens to a minimum.
darkamikaze said:
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fascinating. But this isn't for you; it's for an older person.
OP, the folks pointing out that it's bad forum etiquette to create multiple threads and bump them are right. And considering the time folks put into answering your question, it wouldn't hurt to respond and click the "thanks" button.
thebobp said:
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how you would use Swype with two hands even if you wanted to. Swyping requires one continuous swipe with one finger across all of the letters that spell out your word, and besides the actual act of swyping, I don't understand how using it would be any different from using one finger to type on a non-Swype keyboard.
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
dparrothead1 said:
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used miui on several devices. I just find it clunky. I like having an alphabetically sorted app drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I'm working on the same issue for my mom, who just turned 86.
I downloaded Minimalistic Text for her, but I had assumed it would be simple to set up - it isn't.
Am I correct that it's very limited as to what it can display? It appears to be able to display the time, date, temp, and then a few other things not important to your typical 86 year old, such as battery level, cpu speed, etc.
I had hoped I would be able to have it launch apps, so I could for instance, have it show "Email", Facebook", etc.
Older people have difficulty remembering the names of apps sometimes. "K9" for instance, would not mean email to my mom.
Something that would allow you to make app icons larger might help. But I had high hopes for Minimalist Text!
Btw, we did a four way hangout with her yesterday. She has beginning Alzheimer's, but she loves technology!
Edit: I see in the OP's other thread someone mentioned Simple Text . Can that be used on a stock N7? Must I use a different launcher?
So, the Nexus 6 is huge. That is not exactly a bad thing, but one handed use difficult. The screen is gorgeous but makes the device hard to use in one hand for the majority of its owners. Since the Nexus 6 runs stock Lollipop, it doesn't come with any features that make one handed use any easier when you need it. I made this thread with one goal in mind: A place to share any mods or apps that you know of that improve one handed use. Please leave a post in this thread with any mods that you know of and I'll update my post with a list of all the mods mentioned. Also, please mention if the mod or app requires root or not. The whole Nexus 6 community thanks you for your help. :victory:
APPS
LMT Launcher (Root/No Root) - Gesture based homescreen launcher.
SwiftKey Keyboard (No Root) - Keyboard with compact mode for one handed typing.
Swype Keyboard (No Root) - Same as SwiftKey.
Pie Control (Root/No Root) - Navigation bar that you can use by swiping in from any side. Has many settings that can be configured.
MODS
LiquidSmooth ROM - Allows you to rearrange the navigation bar icons, letting you position the icons towards one side for easier one handed use.
elvintopalov said:
So, the Nexus 6 is huge. That is not exactly a bad thing, but one handed use difficult. The screen is gorgeous but makes the device hard to use in one hand for the majority of its owners. Since the Nexus 6 runs stock Lollipop, it doesn't come with any features that make one handed use any easier when you need it. I made this thread with one goal in mind: A place to share any mods such as xposed modules or apps that you know of that improve one handed use. Please leave a post in this thread with any mods that you know of and I'll update my post with a list of all the mods mentioned. Also, please mention if the mod requires root or not. The whole Nexus 6 community thanks you for your help. :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xposed doesnt work on lollipop, and probably never will. as lollipop runs on art and not dalvik. besides, ive used the past 3 nexus phones with two hands, not one hand. and its much more convenient that way
simms22 said:
xposed doesnt work on lollipop, and probably never will. as lollipop runs on art and not dalvik. besides, ive used the past 3 nexus phones with two hands, not one hand. and its much more convenient that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information, I'll update the post. And I understand 2 hands is much more convenient, but sometimes there is the occasion where you need to use one hand, such as in school.
elvintopalov said:
Thanks for the information, I'll update the post. And I understand 2 hands is much more convenient, but sometimes there is the occasion where you need to use one hand, such as in school.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not here. been out of school for 25 years
but multi-windows would be cool. the middle of last year, i saw that google was working on it, and thought that it would be included into the nexus 6. i guess its not ready yet.
simms22 said:
not here. been out of school for 25 years
but multi-windows would be cool. the middle of last year, i saw that google was working on it, and thought that it would be included into the nexus 6. i guess its not ready yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it will be unveiled with the next version of Android? I hope so.
elvintopalov said:
Maybe it will be unveiled with the next version of Android? I hope so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hope so. as for the screen size, multi-windows on a nexus 6 could be very handy.
elvintopalov said:
So, the Nexus 6 is huge. That is not exactly a bad thing, but one handed use difficult. The screen is gorgeous but makes the device hard to use in one hand for the majority of its owners. Since the Nexus 6 runs stock Lollipop, it doesn't come with any features that make one handed use any easier when you need it. I made this thread with one goal in mind: A place to share any mods or apps that you know of that improve one handed use. Please leave a post in this thread with any mods that you know of and I'll update my post with a list of all the mods mentioned. Also, please mention if the mod requires root or not. The whole Nexus 6 community thanks you for your help. :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swiftkey may have a feature that makes the keyboard smaller for typing with one hand. I know the feature exists for tablets, not sure if it also exists for phones.
Use lmt launcher. Works without root too
Swiftkey and Swype both offer a reduction in keyboard size for the N6.
Use Pie Control. Doesn't require root. You swipe from the side of screen to a set of preconfigured settings. Pretty good
I managed to learn how to type one handed with mine and I have small hands. The only issue for me is trying to reach the back or multitasking button depending on which hand is holding the phone. If I could move that closer, I'd be beyond happy. The only way I can reach is now is sliding my hand down and holding it on the bottom. I just get nervous doing that one handed as I really don't want to see if my case will protect my phone if I drop it.
vaxick said:
I managed to learn how to type one handed with mine and I have small hands. The only issue for me is trying to reach the back or multitasking button depending on which hand is holding the phone. If I could move that closer, I'd be beyond happy. The only way I can reach is now is sliding my hand down and holding it on the bottom. I just get nervous doing that one handed as I really don't want to see if my case will protect my phone if I drop it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In liquid smooth you can change the position of the buttons by inserting menu button to the LEFT side (still appears on the right). Helps a lot don't know if other ROMs have this also.
I use extended desktop and pie controls on the right side of the phone
Thanks for the recommendations everyone! I just updated my post to include the lists of mods and apps that you all gave.:good:
dont forget the MCR Mod Pack! allows you to swap your nav keys around and toggle left/right handed use. comes bundled with double tap to wake and notification light use. First thing i'd download onto my nexus tbh, dispenses with all that messing around for individual mods
simms22 said:
xposed doesnt work on lollipop, and probably never will. as lollipop runs on art and not dalvik. besides, ive used the past 3 nexus phones with two hands, not one hand. and its much more convenient that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried it yet, but I think there's now a Lollipop/art-compatible version of Xposed. Not all the modules work, so I don't if whatever Xposed-based solution the OP had in mind would work, but it might.
Flygrip
Try PAC-ROM. It has a app circle bar that is fully customizable and allows you to tap a particular are on the side of your screen to get a 'pie-ish' circle app launcher!
Since xposed is working now, you can use "Niwatori" and "one hand mode" modules. these will re-size the whole screen according to your liking. And MCR modpack has the one sided nav bar
came over from an old HTC and just took the keyboard for granted, used swype and the autocorrect was pretty ok, helpful, close enough most of the time
been on the note 4 for months now and the keyboard is just horrible, it takes me more time fixing brutal autocorrects and spaces and just messed up text all the time
what is everyone doing to get good usable keyboarding on this thing? is a new rom necessary?
Just download Google keyboard ...like everyone
life end said:
Just download Google keyboard ...like everyone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, did that now, huge improvement
the native keyboard on my HTC was great, so never even thought about it not being something Samsung would do right, appreciate the tip
I've had the opposite experience - I find the note 4 keyboard to be way more accurate than other keyboards in both typing accuracy and word predictions.
Sent from my SM-N910U using Tapatalk
Never really noticed, but auto-correct and word prediction is literally the first thing I turn off on any keyboard. Hate 'em, especially as someone who doesn't want to end up as the next post on damnyouautocorrect.com and all.
In all other respects, I don't mind the stock Samsung keyboard, and I actually like the "swipe to move cursor" feature, even if the sensitivity on that could still use a bit of tuning to feel as good as one of those BlackBerry trackballs or trackpads. I also like the hold for symbols and accents and the dedicated number row, things that I hate not having on AOSP and Google keyboards.
At least Android lets you choose from any sort of soft input panel that you want. Even Palm OS-era Graffiti is an option, and I'd probably use it if the cut/copy/paste strokes worked and I could customize the strokes...