Database Users

How could I disable hardware keyboard while it's open and use software keyboard?

I know some of you might think this is a stupid question. I would like to use any on screen keyboard while the hardware keyboard is open and disable hw kb until I want to use it. Let me see if I can explain this to you why.
I am starting to like typing in landscape mode with on screen keyboard. I am getting pretty good at it and definitely think my speed is faster that way than a hardware keyboard. Have any of you tried typing in landscape for any extended length of time? I don't know about you but my fingers really start cramping and hurting because I have to hold the phone with the rest of my hands and fingers while typing with my thumbs. When the hw kb is open, this could give me more area to hold the phone a little more comfortably while using a fast software keyboard. My thumbs wouldn't be at funky downward angles to hit the keys, they would be extended straighter and upwards and might be less prone to getting crampt up and carpel tunnel.
Am I crazy to think this might be useful? Has anyone heard of it being done or an app or hack that could achieve what I'm trying to do?

I do understand where you are coming from, having big hands and fingers can suck sometimes, but I don't think its possible. I've tried to see if I could pull up the virtual landscape keyboard with the hw one open but no luck.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Why'd you get the Shift and not the Evo if you would prefer an on-screen keyboard?

cosine83 said:
Why'd you get the Shift and not the Evo if you would prefer an on-screen keyboard?
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I'm not complaining or whining, I'm just asking for help with something that I might like to do.

to answer your question, yes, it is possible.
i just tested this on skyfire, ebuddy, and gmail. if you simply leave the keyboard in, aka don't slide the screen, and rotate the device, the screen will turn and whatever app you are using will also turn (if it supports it). then just click in the text box you want to type in again, and the onscreen keyboard will come up. I'm using better keyboard atm, so didn't test it with the HTC or any others. but i'm fairly positive that if it works with that one, it'll throw up whichever keyboard you are currently using in the same situation.

viperv303 said:
to answer your question, yes, it is possible.
i just tested this on skyfire, ebuddy, and gmail. if you simply leave the keyboard in, aka don't slide the screen, and rotate the device, the screen will turn and whatever app you are using will also turn (if it supports it). then just click in the text box you want to type in again, and the onscreen keyboard will come up. I'm using better keyboard atm, so didn't test it with the HTC or any others. but i'm fairly positive that if it works with that one, it'll throw up whichever keyboard you are currently using in the same situation.
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I think you missed what he was trying to say. he was asking if it's possible to use the on-screen keyboard with the physical keyboard open.
OP, here's an android tip (it works with any android phone): if you hold down the menu button with your cursor in a text field, it forces the on-screen keyboard to come up. You could try selecting a text field, then holding down the menu button.

viperv303 said:
to answer your question, yes, it is possible.
i just tested this on skyfire, ebuddy, and gmail. if you simply leave the keyboard in, aka don't slide the screen, and rotate the device, the screen will turn and whatever app you are using will also turn (if it supports it). then just click in the text box you want to type in again, and the onscreen keyboard will come up. I'm using better keyboard atm, so didn't test it with the HTC or any others. but i'm fairly positive that if it works with that one, it'll throw up whichever keyboard you are currently using in the same situation.
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I know about what you are explaining, that's normal usage. What I'm interested in is using the open physical keyboard as additional area to hold the phone with while in landscape and using the on screen keyboard. I'm thinking there needs to be something to trick the phone into thinking the keyboard drawer is closed when it's actually open.
It seems, as usual, that I am coming up with lame brain ideas and haven't a clue as how to making them happen. I emailed one keyboard dev a few days ago and haven't heard anything back yet. I guess I could shoot out emails to all the devs of the keyboards I have bought and see if I get a response.

SirRipo said:
I think you missed what he was trying to say. he was asking if it's possible to use the on-screen keyboard with the physical keyboard open.
OP, here's an android tip (it works with any android phone): if you hold down the menu button with your cursor in a text field, it forces the on-screen keyboard to come up. You could try selecting a text field, then holding down the menu button.
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I just tried that with the drawer open and it is not working. I tried switching to the stock keyboard too and still nothing. Thanks for the suggestion.

herbthehammer said:
I just tried that with the drawer open and it is not working. I tried switching to the stock keyboard too and still nothing. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Same issue here, The flex or ribbon cable from heyboard to PCB is broken, so my device is perm on landscape and I can't use any onscreen keyboards.

wickedpenguin said:
Same issue here, The flex or ribbon cable from heyboard to PCB is broken, so my device is perm on landscape and I can't use any onscreen keyboards.
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Damn dude! That really sucks. You have insurance? Can you take it to a repair center?

wickedpenguin said:
Same issue here, The flex or ribbon cable from heyboard to PCB is broken, so my device is perm on landscape and I can't use any onscreen keyboards.
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correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a 1-year warranty on manufacturing defects, regardless of insurance standing or the 30-day return policy? Certainly sounds like a manufacturing defect to me, unless it's broken from misuse

this isnt the place for talking about warantee issues. start a different thread. this is about answering the question in this thread.

have you tried any other keyboards from the market or like the swype beta or anything? idk if it would make a difference. i doubt you can disable it while its open. if you want to use the soft keyboard close the phone? Its probably best practice to keep the phone closed when you arent using the hardware keyboard anyways?

t0esh0es said:
this isnt the place for talking about warantee issues. start a different thread. this is about answering the question in this thread.
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and I was pointing out a potential fix for someone with an issue in this thread, try to keep up.

Looks like smart keyboard pro has that feature. Its buried in the advanced menu.

Yes sir it is I just downloaded the trial to give it a shot one thing I notice is when you open the keyboard on the home screen they keyboard pops up over all your icons I'm gonna play with the settings somemore and see what I can do about it
*EDIT* if you are on a text box and hit home the keyboard don't open over home screen but if you just open the phone to put it into landscape on the homescreen they beyboard will pop up just hit the search button then back and you have your whole home screen
herbthehammer said:
Looks like smart keyboard pro has that feature. Its buried in the advanced menu.
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Sent from my PG06100 using XDA Premium App

[GUIDE] Using Tasker to switch your keyboard when docked/undocked

May not be neccessary for certain users, or devices running honeycomb 3.1 or higher.
For anyone like myself, who uses a different keyboard (I use thumb keyboard) from the default setup (which is the Asus keyboard), an app called Tasker can make it a bit easier for you to switch them on the fly. It's not a fantastic method and there's probably a better way to do it, but for now I thought I'd share what I did with you all. It might not be necessary for your device. It was for me because it wouldnt auto switch the input method or allow a quick change, I guess it depends on which language/model/SKU you have. Just do the following to get a popup allowing you to change the input method when docked/undocked:
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-In tasker create a new profile called 'Keyboard', click 'ok'. Click 'state', then 'keyboard out'. Click 'Done'.
-Create a new task. Call it 'Docked'. Click 'Ok'. Click the '+' then 'Input' category, select 'Input Method Select'. Click 'Done'. Then 'Done' on the next screen. (This will bring up a screen when you dock your tablet to let you choose the Asus option)
-Click the new task you have created called 'Docked'. Select the task option 'Add Exit Task'. Click 'new task'. Name it 'Undock'. Click 'Ok'. Press the '+', 'Input', then 'Input Method Select' again. Click 'Done'. And 'Done' once more.
-Make sure at the bottom right of the main screen it shows 'On'. and click 'Apply' at the bottom left of the screen.
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Exclude tasker from any task manager you may have installed.
*Tip* If you keep getting 'Active' popping up in the notification area, go into Tasker>Settings>Preferences>click the monitor tab, then uncheck 'run in foreground'.
Now when you plug the tablet into the dock it should get a popup with a box to let you select the Asus keyboard, so that your keypresses correspond to the letters printed on the keys. And when you undock from the keyboard, just wait about 10 seconds and you should get another popup allowing you to change the keyboard back to what it was before. If you dont get this popup then just press the tasker icon in the notifcation area and select the keyboard you want manually.
All done. Enjoy.

thanks for the heads up..Haven't used tasker yet, will give it a shot tonight.

Wait, what keys don't work when you're not using the asus default keyboard?
Thanks for the write-up. I'm a fellow tasker user and will be setting this up when I get home

daoist said:
Wait, what keys don't work when you're not using the asus default keyboard?
Thanks for the write-up. I'm a fellow tasker user and will be setting this up when I get home
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No, they DO work if you have the Asus keyboard selected. So if you're already using the Asus one you don't need to do any of this. This guide is for people who aren't using the Asus input method and have chosen to use a different input method, such as the default honeycomb one, thumb keyboard, etc. I've never been good at putting my thoughts into words, so if it's not clear, spell it out for me what you're not understanding and I'll change the post. Cheers.

stuntdouble said:
No, they DO work if you have the Asus keyboard selected. So if you're already using the Asus one you don't need to do any of this. This guide is for people who aren't using the Asus input method and have chosen to use a different input method, such as the default honeycomb one, thumb keyboard, etc. I've never been good at putting my thoughts into words, so if it's not clear, spell it out for me what you're not understanding and I'll change the post. Cheers.
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I always have either the thumb keyboard and the stock android keyboard select and haven't noticed anything not working. What exactly doesn't work?

jratzo said:
I always have either the thumb keyboard and the stock android keyboard select and haven't noticed anything not working. What exactly doesn't work?
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The numerical button 3 trying to make the £ symbol and the # key making a \ symbol, were a few I noticed. There might be others though.

stuntdouble said:
The numerical button 3 trying to make the £ symbol and the # key making a \ symbol, were a few I noticed. There might be others though.
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Ahh gotcha, I'll have to check it out. I use tasker on my phone do i could easily use it on my TF

Thanks for this, makes the hassle of switching keyboards that much more fun and cool!

Wait. I don't understand. I use Thumbkeyboard and the dock. I switch back and forth with no problems. When I undock, it goes back to thumbkeyboard. When I dock, it uses the hardware keyboard. All of my keys work.
What exactly is the problem you're trying to fix with Tasker?

dmeehl said:
Wait. I don't understand. I use Thumbkeyboard and the dock. I switch back and forth with no problems. When I undock, it goes back to thumbkeyboard. When I dock, it uses the hardware keyboard. All of my keys work.
What exactly is the problem you're trying to fix with Tasker?
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For those of us in the UK, the hardware keyboard defaults to US mode if you dont have the Asus keyboard selected in UK mode. (if that makes sense)
Using tasker gives you a quick visual reminder to switch to the right keyboard.
If you're in the US I guess this issue won't affect you?

i use better keyboard 8, and while it warns me when i put it on the dock, i have not found any issues

Must be a non US issue i have not noticed anything other then the warning. Off to try all the keys

Thanks for the writeup!
I use Swiftkey BETA. I just don't understand why Tasker doesn't give you the option to already select a keyboard to change to. Doesn't make sense to me!

does anyone know how to disable the popup when docking?

That would be good. I guess you'd just have to create a Go Home task for when it is docked to eliminate that initial popup. I added a "Go Home" property and moved it above the "Select Input Method" property and it seems to have removed that annoying "Asus Recommendation" popup.
Perhaps this should be added to the first post on this thread?!

BTW, a bit off topic but I figured everyone here has a dock so I thought I'd ask.
Anyone else's SPACEBAR key seem a bit "louder", as in, easier to press than the rest. Not that it is that much of an issue, but the other keys on my dock seem a bit quieter to press over the SPACEBAR.

akarol said:
That would be good. I guess you'd just have to create a Go Home task for when it is docked to eliminate that initial popup. I added a "Go Home" property and moved it above the "Select Input Method" property and it seems to have removed that annoying "Asus Recommendation" popup.
Perhaps this should be added to the first post on this thread?!
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Will test this tomorrow when im not half asleep and add if necessary. Thx.
Edit: It appeared to do it the first time for me, but after that it still shows the Asus reminder box. Did you add any other lines maybe? Not sure if the first time was just a fluke or to do with tasker.

It would be nice if there could be better solution for this...

MaluNoPeleke said:
It would be nice if there could be better solution for this...
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118164

Thanks for this. I don't dock, but have a slideout which i love swiftkey to assist with, and prefer swype for portrait touchscreen on-the-fly. It'd be nicer if it was automatic, but it's definitely more friendly with this popup on keyboard out and task exit.

Keyboard Bug

I have Swype 3.0 installed.
When I dock my transformer it notifies me :
ASUS Keyboard is not selected, Change to ASUS keyboard to keep consistency with hardware keyboard.
I say OK.
When I start typing on the hardware keyboard however the keyboard layout has switched to US from UK.
To fix it I have to quickly switch to the Android keyboard and then switch back.
Anyone else come across this ?
Any idea how to fix ?
Sent from my Transformer TF101

ozym said:
I have Swype 3.0 installed.
When I dock my transformer it notifies me :
ASUS Keyboard is not selected, Change to ASUS keyboard to keep consistency with hardware keyboard.
I say OK.
When I start typing on the hardware keyboard however the keyboard layout has switched to US from UK.
To fix it I have to quickly switch to the Android keyboard and then switch back.
Anyone else come across this ?
Any idea how to fix ?
Sent from my Transformer TF101
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I havent but I know but I know that if you get to a section that you need to type there is a small keyboard on the bottomo of the screen. If you click on that icon it will give you your different keyboard seetings and layouts. I however do not have any related to UK in my settings. If you go into language and keyboard settings and go into avtive input methods and then select use system language it should fix that.
Sent from my awesome Asus Transformer using XDA's premium app.

It is a bug.
The only way to properly fix it is by rooting and changing some keyboard files around. There is a thread on it if you search.

Physical keyboard auto correct

The physical keyboard auto correct settings do not seem to do anything. Is there any way to get them to work with the Asus keyboard? I fear my spelling isn't quite up to appearing on the internet unsupported.
Alternatively is there a keyboard I can install that works well with the physical keyboard? I am trying out ultra keyboard but it seems a little laggy and does not support the UK keyboard layout.

AFAIK there is no way to get correction off the dock's keyboard or a Bluetooth one. Unless perhaps a custom app is used as a layer between the keyboard dock and Android but I know of none. For software keyboards for the tablet end itself, it seems to be a pretty standard feature.
I generally turn it off, although I miss my Froyo phones ability to correct things like 'im ' to 'I\'m ' in the common case. Having a hardware keyboard available for serious typing helps. I also do most serious typing in vim, so I have spell check and access to dedicated tools .
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Use physical keyboard and onscreen keyboard at the same time

I have a Bluetooth bar code reader connected to the tablet and it shows up as a physical keyboard. It works great to scan information into text fields. The issue is that the onscreen keyboard doesn't show up if it is connected. Does anyone know a way to have both the onscreen keyboard show up and have a physical keyboard connected? When i googled for answers I found someone with the same issue on there zoom with 4.1 installed, they said the onscreen keyboard would still pop on 4.0 but not on 4.1 (I searched for an app that might allow this and came up with nothing )

Multiple keyboards on android 4.1
boothmaster said:
I have a Bluetooth bar code reader connected to the tablet and it shows up as a physical keyboard. It works great to scan information into text fields. The issue is that the onscreen keyboard doesn't show up if it is connected. Does anyone know a way to have both the onscreen keyboard show up and have a physical keyboard connected? When i googled for answers I found someone with the same issue on there zoom with 4.1 installed, they said the onscreen keyboard would still pop on 4.0 but not on 4.1 (I searched for an app that might allow this and came up with nothing )
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Settings > Language & input > Default, switch the "Hardware" property to Off. works for me on Android version 4.1, It let me have both of the input types, but I have to set up this configuration every time it gets connected. Hope it helps.