Database Users

Just can't get the keyboard down...

This is my first Android phone and I am having a horrible time with the keyboard. I have had the EVO for about a week now and just can't get the hang of the keyboard down. I am always making mistakes, and have to say that I am an above average keyboarder.
Any suggestions? I tried using swype but it slows me down to much lol

You slowly start getting used to it with the autocorrections. I came from a G1 and honestly, I'd love to have a hardware keyboard. If I was given a chance to swap for a Galaxy S Pro, I'd do it just for the keyboard
Anyway, have you try calibrating your keypad?

Give swype a try. Once you use it you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

Swype takes a week or so to get used to and for it to get used to you. You also have to play with the settings a bit, start out slow and don't try to go quickly when you are first learning.
There are also some swype alternatives in the market you can try.

I think swype is a waste. Just build your android dictionary and you will type fast and efficient. Make sure u use auto correction!

im having lots of trouble wit the keyboard to and im coming from the iphone where i typed really fast n had very very lil mistakes. i keep hitting the damn period button everytime i try to hit the space bar, the button is just too small i guess. hopefully different keyboards come through the market for me to try.

Yeah the auto-correct is a life saver, it usually corrects what I am trying to say lol. Yeah I have done the calibration, and it seems to have helped. Wish there was a little more depth to the calibration though.
The small space bar is for sure annoying, I always hit the period also.

michaelvibe said:
Yeah the auto-correct is a life saver, it usually corrects what I am trying to say lol. Yeah I have done the calibration, and it seems to have helped. Wish there was a little more depth to the calibration though.
The small space bar is for sure annoying, I always hit the period also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming by little spacebar you mean when you hit the search button or something of the sort if you hit search button one more time it will bring the big spacebar back

have you tried to xda keyboard? i believe Fresh rom has it. it gets rid of the placement arrows and i believe it makes the keys a little bigger. I've never had any problem typing with the evo's keyboard. Coming from the hero this screen size is sooo much better to type on. Sure i make a few mistakes here and there but auto correction generally fixes them for me. Also, the stock android keyboard is actually pretty decent. I used it for a while on my hero. Maybe install that and give it a try.

I am not a big auto-correction fan, so I disabled mine. That combined with the IME v27 keyboard I got from another thread makes typing so much better for me. IME Link

no when u try to hit the spacebar on the keyboard. its too small n we always hit the period button next to it.
bcnice20 said:
I'm assuming by little spacebar you mean when you hit the search button or something of the sort if you hit search button one more time it will bring the big spacebar back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Came from the G1 and I do not miss the physical keyboard at all. I thought I would have hard time, but I picked it up after a day. The larger screen definitely helps. I'm also using the mod, which is more responsive than the stock VK.
From the HTC Evo!!

stroths said:
I am not a big auto-correction fan, so I disabled mine. That combined with the IME v27 keyboard I got from another thread makes typing so much better for me. IME Link
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Click to collapse
Thanks for this, I always thought those arrow keys were a waste of space. This keyboard seems to be much more responsive to the way that I type. I am much more accurate on it, so it seems anyways lol. Just wish some of the bottom row was removed to make room for a bigger space bar haha.

I use "A better keyboard" and find the button spacing perfect. with that and autocorrection on, I can actually type faster on it than with a physical keyboard.

I admit I didnt read the thread.. here are my two cents:
Swype was ESSENTIAL on my hero but without the trackball or on screen nav button like the EVO kb has Swype is kinda handicapped on the EVO.
Forget about accuracy, just type and learn to let the autocorrect do it's thing
re read what you typed to ensure it's accurate until you get real good at it but again, just type. Most of your typos will be fixed automatically
I'm really impressed with the IME on the EVO, it was a pretty big disappointment for me on the hero...

nebenezer said:
I admit I didnt read the thread.. here are my two cents:
Swype was ESSENTIAL on my hero but without the trackball or on screen nav button like the EVO kb has Swype is kinda handicapped on the EVO.
Forget about accuracy, just type and learn to let the autocorrect do it's thing
re read what you typed to ensure it's accurate until you get real good at it but again, just type. Most of your typos will be fixed automatically
I'm really impressed with the IME on the EVO, it was a pretty big disappointment for me on the hero...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is generally what I try to do, but certain text inputs don't take advantage of the auto correct so I have to be more careful on those. Wish they all did lol...

T9 and Betterkeyboard

I got better keyboard so I could portrait short keyboard with T9 basically like a old Nokia..
But its rubbish, when you come to a word like apple or anything with two of the same letters from each of the keys you have to slow down and wait for a while then press the key again otherwise it just doesnt know what you are on about..
Is there any T9 short keyboards that work like normal ones for the streak?
(dont say swype I already have it and love it in landscape but I need something I can tap in fast texts in portrait)

Smart keyboard pro..Best keyboard ever

sottyc said:
Smart keyboard pro..Best keyboard ever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I agree

Give Swiftkey beta a try. Works a treat on the Streak!
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App

Horrible Keyboard On 2.1, Any way To Put Keyboard From 1.6?

A few hours ago I updated to the 2.1.
The main thing that is far worse is the keyboard. It seems far less accurate, I'm making many more mistakes than before, sometimes I have to press the same button twice, it seem's unresponsive and slow, if you rush it you make mistakes.
It's like it's running slow and there is no num pad, the keyboard is much worse than 1.6
Is there ANY way I can use the old keyboard? I wish there was a way I could use the previous full sized keyboard, quicker and more responsive...

Matter of fact, what does everyone think the best keyboard for the streak is?

Not sure if I am doing something wrong , but I have been unable to use any other keyboards , they install OK , and I can select them , but when I go to select it , it's still the Dell one that pops up . I used Better Keyboard on 1.6 and preferred it.
With the new one , I seem to "miss" the top row of keys for some strange reason ! , usually I'll notice I have missed an "e" in a word .

Same, at first kept missing the top row of keys, you just need to hit a little bit lower.
Or use a multitouch keyboard like smart keyboard, just annoying that it takes up the whole screen.

I'm using the SWYPE keyboard. Works great for me on 1.6

dairymasta said:
Same, at first kept missing the top row of keys, you just need to hit a little bit lower.
Or use a multitouch keyboard like smart keyboard, just annoying that it takes up the whole screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I'm getting and it's really pissing me off. I now dread to use the internet or type message as nearly every word I type has a mistake...
zoidster said:
Not sure if I am doing something wrong , but I have been unable to use any other keyboards , they install OK , and I can select them , but when I go to select it , it's still the Dell one that pops up . I used Better Keyboard on 1.6 and preferred it.
With the new one , I seem to "miss" the top row of keys for some strange reason ! , usually I'll notice I have missed an "e" in a word .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, crappy keyboard, I hate using the internet/sms messages now.
I really wish to have the same keyboard as 1.6, also with the numpad, saves me everytime clicking on the ?123 button to type in a number and then click it off, more slow

Funk2641 said:
Matter of fact, what does everyone think the best keyboard for the streak is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original of course, from 1.6!

kanej2006 said:
Exactly what I'm getting and it's really pissing me off. I now dread to use the internet or type message as nearly every word I type has a mistake...
Same here, crappy keyboard, I hate using the internet/sms messages now.
I really wish to have the same keyboard as 1.6, also with the numpad, saves me everytime clicking on the ?123 button to type in a number and then click it off, more slow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't upgraded to 2.1 yet as i rather wait for the official OTA, I am also using swype keyboard I find it quite good too. I also found a stock one a bit difficult to type on with out making typo's but it was nice idea having the number pad. But I heard many people were crying about it being rubbish.
Funny now seeing people who have upgraded to 2.1 and with the new dell stock keyboard people are also making noise about how poor it is. Looks like dell can't get the keyboard right. I think dell should left the original keyboard and pre-install swype for people. This give users best of both worlds I think.

The original keyboard was rubbish, agreat idea but impossible to type accurately. The new keyboard is better but still not great. Swype is be rest so far even as a touch type.
Ps to get keyboards to work (ie instead of the default), first enable it in the settings then hold you finger in any typing box until the options appear then choose input, then chose desired keyboard.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App

Ps the best keyboard will be this one......
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...-phones-screen-even-with-no-keyboard-present/
Hopefully!
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App

Agreed. Stock keyboard + swype keyboard combo on 1.6 works best for me.

Fazziebear said:
Ps the best keyboard will be this one......
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...-phones-screen-even-with-no-keyboard-present/
Hopefully!
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a good idea that and swype would be handy yet i prefer the 1.6 keyboard my only issue is that it isnt multi touch. Which cause me to make errors so for the time being its swype maybe not as fast but hey its effortless.

I use SLIDE IT has more features than SWYPE

Just to balance the argument a bit - I much prefer the 2.1 keyboard to the 1.6 version.
I have big fingers and my accuracy has improved enormously -I haven't even bothered re installing swype.
So i guess it is all down to personal preference.

I prefer the old one....just cause it had the FN key shown and also the arrows that are useful when i want to go back in typing.
I also agree with those who tell that the new one is not accuracy like in 1.6, i noticed that when i type delete it often type "L" letter. For this i would like to ask if the re-calibration may work....

Enabling Swype Keyboard
Fazziebear said:
The original keyboard was rubbish, agreat idea but impossible to type accurately. The new keyboard is better but still not great. Swype is be rest so far even as a touch type.
Ps to get keyboards to work (ie instead of the default), first enable it in the settings then hold you finger in any typing box until the options appear then choose input, then chose desired keyboard.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have installed swype, but it isn't listed as an input option. Where do I find the settings menu to "enable" swype? It's not in the main settings menu. Thanks!

enne91 said:
I prefer the old one....just cause it had the FN key shown and also the arrows that are useful when i want to go back in typing.
I also agree with those who tell that the new one is not accuracy like in 1.6, i noticed that when i type delete it often type "L" letter. For this i would like to ask if the re-calibration may work....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new keyboard is just terrible. Nearly eVERY word I type theres a mistake and it's slow and cannot keep up with the original.
I also noticed the keyboard is TOO LOW and that is why I'm making mistakes, the old keyboard was higher and in line with the fingers, therefore easier and I miss the NUMPAD!!!

STraver said:
I have installed swype, but it isn't listed as an input option. Where do I find the settings menu to "enable" swype? It's not in the main settings menu. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you go to send a text message, in the box where the cursor is and where you type, hold it for a second and it should give you the option to choose a different keyboard.

Horrible keyboard in 2.1
Guys i want 1.6 keyboard i prefer much better than 2.1. any way to get it?

enne91 said:
I prefer the old one....just cause it had the FN key shown and also the arrows that are useful when i want to go back in typing.
I also agree with those who tell that the new one is not accuracy like in 1.6, i noticed that when i type delete it often type "L" letter. For this i would like to ask if the re-calibration may work....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree with the arrows and the FN key is a most

Blur keyboard

Hate to say it but I love the blur keyboard. I tried gingerbread keyboard for a while and at first hated it but after a few days got used to it. As soon as I went back to blur I fell in love within an hour.
My question is, how do I permanently make the smiley button next to the space bar, into the enter key. Sometimes it is enter and sometimes it is a smiley.
Does anyone else like the blur keyboard as much as I do? I also like the toned down intensity of the haptic feedback on the blur board as well.
My true favorite is the swype keyboard but it doesn't auto correct
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

seh6183 said:
Hate to say it but I love the blur keyboard. I tried gingerbread keyboard for a while and at first hated it but after a few days got used to it. As soon as I went back to blur I fell in love within an hour.
My question is, how do I permanently make the smiley button next to the space bar, into the enter key. Sometimes it is enter and sometimes it is a smiley.
Does anyone else like the blur keyboard as much as I do? I also like the toned down intensity of the haptic feedback on the blur board as well.
My true favorite is the swype keyboard but it doesn't auto correct
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know the answer to your question, but I love that keyboard too. it's the best I have ever typed on. I can type very fast with minimal mistake.

I love the keyboard.

Swype > *

The Motorola Multitouch Keyboard isn't bad, better than Sense. Don't have experience with Gingerbread Keyboard on Atrix, though it was nice on my brothers Nexus One.

seh6183 said:
Hate to say it but I love the blur keyboard. I tried gingerbread keyboard for a while and at first hated it but after a few days got used to it. As soon as I went back to blur I fell in love within an hour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I like the overall presentation (big keys, etc.) but I find that the blur multitouch keyboard doesn't really feel like multitouch to me. If I type really fast where sometimes my presses overlap, it often misses some of the letters I typed, even though they flashed above the keys onscreen. They just didn't actually appear in the textbox I'm typing in.
For example, type the word "what" as fast as you absolutely can, with very light taps (in portrait mode). I find that more often than not, I get the word "hat" or other misspellings. I didn't miss the key; the popup shows that it was typed, but it just didn't appear.
I hate to say it, but I learned my virtual keyboard typing on the iPhone and iPod Touch and those devices never lost some of my presses, despite fast, overlapping presses.
I tested many, many keyboards from the market, and you know what? The Gingerbread keyboard and Better Keyboard 8 are really the only ones that could handle really fast light typing. I also like Swype though, and use the beta version. It's quite good when you just want to do some one hand typing.

maledyris said:
Really? I like the overall presentation (big keys, etc.) but I find that the blur multitouch keyboard doesn't really feel like multitouch to me. If I type really fast where sometimes my presses overlap, it often misses some of the letters I typed, even though they flashed above the keys onscreen. They just didn't actually appear in the textbox I'm typing in.
For example, type the word "what" as fast as you absolutely can, with very light taps (in portrait mode). I find that more often than not, I get the word "hat" or other misspellings. I didn't miss the key; the popup shows that it was typed, but it just didn't appear.
I hate to say it, but I learned my virtual keyboard typing on the iPhone and iPod Touch and those devices never lost some of my presses, despite fast, overlapping presses.
I tested many, many keyboards from the market, and you know what? The Gingerbread keyboard and Better Keyboard 8 are really the only ones that could handle really fast light typing. I also like Swype though, and use the beta version. It's quite good when you just want to do some one hand typing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right about the blur keyboard missing inputs I never typed fast enough to notice it. I'm trying better keyboard 8 right now and like it but its glitched and keeps asking me to activate it, so I can't enter the options menu for the board.
Where can I get the swype beta? I have swype now, how do I know that I don't already have the swype beta? Also does the swype beta have auto correct? Not suggest but correct.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

So I got beta swype and while it functions better I don't nearly like the skin as much. Also it doesn't auto correct only auto suggests properly spelled words.
Also I do like better keyboard 8 but am unable to fully test it as I can not properly "enable" it to enter the settings menu.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

Try smart keyboard plus. Hands down the most customizabld keybaord ever and by far the most responsive. I love the fact that I am able to resize the keyboard all I want and I'm also able to disable full screen landscape mode which is the biggest failure of all keyboards on android
Sent from my MotoAtrix

seven2099 said:
Try smart keyboard plus. Hands down the most customizabld keybaord ever and by far the most responsive. I love the fact that I am able to resize the keyboard all I want and I'm also able to disable full screen landscape mode which is the biggest failure of all keyboards on android
Sent from my MotoAtrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. This thing is great! True multi touch; it never misses a single word no matter how fast I type. Also I am able to even customize the length of the vibration for haptic which I love because the blur board had a very short, very light feedback and I am able to recreate that with this new board. And the skinning is just icing on the cake. Thank you!!!
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

seven2099 said:
Try smart keyboard plus. Hands down the most customizabld keybaord ever and by far the most responsive. I love the fact that I am able to resize the keyboard all I want and I'm also able to disable full screen landscape mode which is the biggest failure of all keyboards on android
Sent from my MotoAtrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! Don't know how I missed this one. Better Keyboard has pretty much all the features mentioned EXCEPT it doesn't auto correct anywhere near as well as this one does. I guess I'll have to add this to my collection...
By the way, what skin are you guys using? I just found "Rapid" for Better Keyboard which looks really nice. Similar to the stock Blur keyboard, but better! It works just as well with Smart Keyboard too.

maledyris said:
Nice! Don't know how I missed this one. Better Keyboard has pretty much all the features mentioned EXCEPT it doesn't auto correct anywhere near as well as this one does. I guess I'll have to add this to my collection...
By the way, what skin are you guys using? I just found "Rapid" for Better Keyboard which looks really nice. Similar to the stock Blur keyboard, but better! It works just as well with Smart Keyboard too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the stock HTC one that comes with the app
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

Arc default keyboard

I did search but didn't get a clear picture
Sorry for the repost.
I want a keyboard where i can longpress the qwerty keys to type numbers instead of switching to number mode.
I saw both motorola milestone 2 and nexus S has such a keyboard. it seems it is part of the standard gingerbread keyboard.
Is it possible to enable this in the Arc or do I have to install 3rd party application?
Are there any recommended 3rd party apps for this?

There are so many keyboards availble in the market. Give it a try. Personnely I use Swype and it does more than what you need.
Check it out here.

Swype and SlideIt are good if u like the slide your finger to write. I highly recomend SwiftKey. After some days when it's learned your writing it's awesome and makes typing very fast

Smart Keyboard

I use this Keyboard from Android 2.3 and does the job

a good alternative keyboard is Thumb keyboard...I use it for my Dell Streak and I have used it on the arc also...if you select the 5' tablet option, ull get numbers directly without need to long press on letters or even switching to number mode..

Nimche said:
I use this Keyboard from Android 2.3 and does the job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks this is perfect.

Swype. Best there is.

The stock keyboard sucks. really badly. I personally just recommend the stock 2.3 gingerbread keyboard, has multi touch and i can type super fast with it. Its free on the market as well, just search for gingerbread keyboard.

TRY THESE TWO, THESE ARE BEST out there:
1. FLEXT9
2. PERFECT KEYBORAD (I am using this)

I use swiftkey keyboard, it does the longpress thing, and also has the option to switch to numeric keyboard.

what beats me is why they replaced the stock andriod gingerbread keyboard with the default one which is just not as good.

Nimche said:
I use this Keyboard from Android 2.3 and does the job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this bought the donate version

anyone notice the gingerbread keyboard in the market takes up more ram

Umlauts please
any recommendations for a keyboard which has umlauts in the layout (without long-press)

I'm speculating that all arch like mine have 3 keyboard by default, the default input, chinese and japanese keyboard.
to my suprise the chinese one had a few tricks on it. swipe to change querty <=> phone pad layout, long press, swipe down, smiley & symbol lock button, different landscape potrait layout.
down side: english chinese dict only, cannot use user word in phone pad with prediction on, don't think support multiple touch, vulnerable en/chinese button, prediction button use menu, not toggle.
definitely worth trying before investing keyboard app.

better keyboard works great

daveybaby said:
I use swiftkey keyboard, it does the longpress thing, and also has the option to switch to numeric keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a great keyboard but the eats up quite a lot of memory...

I bought Swift even tough it has no umlauts in the layout. Fit's me very well except for that i still would prefer to have separate buttons for the umlauts.
I also tried "Smart Keyboard" which has äöü buttons but the completion is far from what swift does.
I also tried "Ultra Keyboard" looked nice but the one day trial was to short to decide if it is worth the money (especially as i already purchased swift at that time)
Currently I hope the upcoming Swift update will give us configurable layouts.

question re installing keypads
I tried installing the gingerbread keyboard mentioned above, but I cant get it to replace the arc kb. Do you have 2 b rooted?