Database Users

How to change default onscreen keyboard?

I'm install alternate onscreen keyboard, but can't shut down defautl keyboard. It suppress alternate by priority in input methods list.

Only solution i can think of is to root your phone and get Startup Manager and turn it off in there, I did.

Just press and hold the textbox or writing area, there you change "input method" to swype or samsung keyboard.

If I understand it right, OP wants the chosen input method to stick, so that it do not go back to a different one during soft reset. I'm interested in the solution too. I do not want to remove the default stock keyboard though, as I still want it in some situation.

If I go to Settings, Locale and Text and tick the newly installed keyboard (in my case the Droid X keyboard), then press and hold in an input area and select Input Options and use the new keyboard it stays the default keyboard, even after a soft reset.
If I then change back to the default keyboard by pressing and holding in an input area and selecting the Samsung Keypad, THAT will then stay as the default keypad, even after a soft reset.
The same works for the HTC_IME.
So I fail to see what the problem is.
The main annoyance I have is that neither the Droid X nor HTC_IME have a navigational arrows keyboard like the stock keyboard does. WHY WHY WHY did Samsung not make that menu button an OPTICAL TRACKPAD? They managed it on the Omnia and other smartphones. Without this feature, despite my love of this phone, I am falling out of love with this handset.

leoni1980 said:
If I go to Settings, Locale and Text and tick the newly installed keyboard (in my case the Droid X keyboard), then press and hold in an input area and select Input Options and use the new keyboard it stays the default keyboard, even after a soft reset.
If I then change back to the default keyboard by pressing and holding in an input area and selecting the Samsung Keypad, THAT will then stay as the default keypad, even after a soft reset.
The same works for the HTC_IME.
So I fail to see what the problem is.
The main annoyance I have is that neither the Droid X nor HTC_IME have a navigational arrows keyboard like the stock keyboard does. WHY WHY WHY did Samsung not make that menu button an OPTICAL TRACKPAD? They managed it on the Omnia and other smartphones. Without this feature, despite my love of this phone, I am falling out of love with this handset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, you're right! It does stick. My bad.
Wow, Droid X and HTC_IME must be so good, that you must find it so difficult to give up. I must try them.

I wouldn't bother with HTC iME if I were you: Droid X keyboard is head and shoulders above anything else out there as it uses multitouch to bolster its already rather solid prediction algorithms. for me it is as good as the iphone keyboard. I have REALLY tried to like Swype but still find it clunky in instances when I need to input numbers and letters or very specific words, and I cant swype a long word as quickly as i can tap out the first few letters of a long word and allow word prediction to finish it for me.
As for the default keyboard....well it has some nice features but I find myself getting terribly irritated by it when I really need it to work.
Hi Eaglesteve by the way. remember our many conversations in the HTC Advantage forums? I hope you've found a better device since then! it's amazing how things have moved on since then.

leoni1980 said:
I wouldn't bother with HTC iME if I were you: Droid X keyboard is head and shoulders above anything else out there as it uses multitouch to bolster its already rather solid prediction algorithms. for me it is as good as the iphone keyboard. I have REALLY tried to like Swype but still find it clunky in instances when I need to input numbers and letters or very specific words, and I cant swype a long word as quickly as i can tap out the first few letters of a long word and allow word prediction to finish it for me.
As for the default keyboard....well it has some nice features but I find myself getting terribly irritated by it when I really need it to work.
Hi Eaglesteve by the way. remember our many conversations in the HTC Advantage forums? I hope you've found a better device since then! it's amazing how things have moved on since then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Leoni. Yes, iPhone keyboard is hard to beat. I'll give Droid X keyboard a go then.
Yes, those days on the HTC advantage forum is memorable for me, and I enjoyed the friendship and conversations with folks there. Yes, technology has really changed within a very short time, and I love it. Glad to be living in this generation. You're far more frequent phone changer than I have been, I noticed, almost never missing out on any device. I think as a result you're one of the most open minded and unbiased persons when making comparisons between them, and I enjoy reading your comments all the time.

Hey Leoni, after installing Droid X keyboard, it is not showing up when I go to setting, locale. When I click on the pass-dx2200 icon, I was given the choice of installing PandaHome2, which I did, although I hate the home screen now.
Is there a special procedure to follow before Droid X keyboard would appear on the setting for it to be ticked?

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

[CLOSED/G2] How's the Virtual Keyboard

So, the stock G1 virtual keyboard sucked compared to the HTC_IME keyboard. How's the virtual keyboard on the G2? Is there a calibration tool?
Enquiring minds want to know
8-9 hours and counting down until my G2 arrives...

Mine arrived with Swype set as the default keyboard. It's usable, but takes some getting used to with the whole finger-gymnastics thing. It also accepts typing like a standard on-screen keyboard... I'm finding that a bit easier to use than on the G1 mostly due to the larger screen size. I don't see a way to calibrate it in the settings, but it's got a couple of options for adjusting frequency of the word choice window and speed vs. accuracy.

Yea in using the default Swype. Its pretty good, just takes some time to get use to. I find myself being a letter off somethings. But the better screen makes vk way better then the g1 u git more space
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Thanks all, I'd forgotten about the fact that swype was the default. I'm interested in trying it. It's supposed to be quick and easy once you get used to it.

Is the regular android keyboard available?

Yes, you can disable Swype and use the standard Android keyboard, in the Language & Keyboard settings. Long-tapping a text field to change the input method also lets you switch between 'em on the fly if you have both enabled (default settings have 'em both enabled).

I use the stock keyboard over swype. The froyo keyboard if you have never used it is ten times better than 1.6. They continue to improve the keyboard and honestly I don't need another keyboard besides swype (I use it from time to time). Trust me you won't have issues with it. You can drag up and the numbers and symbols will show up for quick selection without having to enter symbol key.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

legendary1022 said:
I use the stock keyboard over swype. The froyo keyboard if you have never used it is ten times better than 1.6. They continue to improve the keyboard and honestly I don't need another keyboard besides swype (I use it from time to time). Trust me you won't have issues with it. You can drag up and the numbers and symbols will show up for quick selection without having to enter symbol key.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet, I've never used the Froyo vk. I've practically never used the stock pre-Froyo because it was so bad and the HTC was so much better. I'm looking forward to both the Froyo standard and the swype.
Thanks
My phone is coming in today. Sometimes the UPS guy arrives before I get home (4:30) but usually they show up between 5 and 7pm. If it's not there when I get home, I suspect I'm going to pace back and forth staring at the front door like a tiger at the zoo.

do u think the default keyboard sucks?

i do i switched to the gingerbread keyboard and its 10 times better

Switch to swype, its preloaded, not sure why it wasn't the default.

how do you get the gingerbread one?
biggest thing i hate is the size of the keys and that its a white background, i want a black background
I hate swype, id delete if i could

ckrugo said:
Switch to swype, its preloaded, not sure why it wasn't the default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to get the black keyboard with swype instead of the white one?

raghavghei said:
i do i switched to the gingerbread keyboard and its 10 times better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate the gingerbread keyboard. Had the Nexus S for two weeks and the buttons were too small....

this stock keyboard is way to laggy, it's almost like trying to type on swype without swyping. You try to type high and all you get is igh, it likes to not place the first letter

Smart Keyboard Pro gets my vote

Has anyone used Better keyboard on the atrix yet?

rodimus_prime said:
how do you get the gingerbread one?
biggest thing i hate is the size of the keys and that its a white background, i want a black background
I hate swype, id delete if i could
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had to look it up myself:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=875202
I agree with you on the black keyboard AND deleting Swype - my clumsy ass fingers just don't know what the hell they're doing with all that drawing across the keyboard all the time!! haha

I have the paid GB keyboard from the market and he keys are much smaller on the Atrix as compared to the Captivate and Inspire. I guess its a scaling issue with the new pixel count. I cannot use it as well and the crappy stock keyboard. I guess I will try another solution. I hate Swype as well.

Gingerbread keyboard, Swype is garbage.

I feel like the send button is really poor placement. I constantly hit the smiley face button when trying to send a message. Is there any way to move the buttons around? or is there another keyboard that has the send button near the "return" key area

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