vB Easy Archive - How do you cope with a software/touchscreen keyboard?

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How do you cope with a software/touchscreen keyboard?
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Posted by: carioca_fl

I've had an HTC Touch for about 8 days now (Sprint model, with the additional RAM) and I really like this phone. Call quality is excellent, is snappier than other WM6 phones (manufacturers: WM6 is a memory hog, give it the RAM it needs!) and the TouchFlo is really useful.

However, as a long-time Treo user (and email/IM/text message fiend), I really cannot adjust to the software/touchscreen keyboard. The default keyboard was awful (who the hell types effectively on a keyboard that looks like a regular phone keyboard, where you need to repeateadly press the same keys to get to the desired letter), the alternatives weren't much better (currently trying both SPB Full Screen Keyboard and the Calligrapher 8.5), though the SPB fullscreen keyboard currently gets the most use out of me.

With a touchscreen keyboard, there's not tactile feedback, so you NEED to look at the keyboard while typing, and even regular sized fingers stumble on the wrong letter. Also, the auto-correction wreaks havoc when trying to type in multiple languages and the added hassle of having to turn it on and off is just one more reason for me to believe, IMO, that soft keyboards are useless.

With that said, I do love my HTC Touch and will try to get used to its keyboard for the next couple of weeks. However, if I can't, I might have to go with a Palm 755p or 700w (wx?).

PS: I tried typing this post on the Touch and nearly threw the thing against the wall.

Posted by: HTC_Pete

The screen keyboards are a bit taxing but you can get used to it. Find a keyboard that suts you best from the list available and then go to options and set the keys to the large size and you can alos ajust or remove options like auto corection and the auto complete etc

Posted by: carioca_fl

The problem isn't so much the size of the keys (check out the SPB Keyboard I linked -it's a landscape-view keyboard, taking the entire screen) but the lack of tactile feedback makes it hard to type as easily as with a proper hardware, full keyboard.

Posted by: papapoon

Definately a hardware keyboard there isn't any subsititute.

I personally use the HTC PhonePad, it is a T9 keyboard. I've always liked T9 and run into very few issues with different languages (have been able to quickly solve mistakes due to repeated use of the KB - takes time but worth it). I believe it is free if you could find it probably check out here

There is also the PCM (www.pocketcm.com) which you could try

Enjoy the touch!

Posted by: Slider76

Personally, I love the SPB FSK. There is a small learing curve but once you get the hang of it, it's great. I can certainly type faster on it than I could on any of the "hard" keyboards I have owned (PDA2k, Wizard, iPaq 6315 & 6955, Treo 650, TyTN2, Pearl, Curve and HTC Advantage).

The key is to make sure you have the audible "clicks" enabled.

Posted by: scharnet

There is another choice called TouchPal http://www.cootek.com/index.html

They have a free and pay version. The pay version is 1/2 price until tomorrow (10 something).

One thing I like about it, is with a gesture, you have 5 different keyboard sizes. I like the small one for the stylus, and go larger as needed.

Posted by: uesnyc

There's a free alternative to the FSK, I linked to it in another thread.
it's almost identical as far as KB's go. The only reason I kept the FSK is because I paid for it before I found the free one.
For most uses, I use the PCM, but it is lacking in a few characters (like the _ key),
but if it's a long message I'm writing, or I need a certain character not on the PCM KB, FSK is great.
The user who said audible clicks should be used is absoloutely right.. That, along with the visible crosshair!
Use it with the right settings and get rid of the spell correct and word suggesting, and you're all set. Just use the WM spell checker when finished with the message.

Posted by: carioca_fl

Well, Im typing this on the PCM keyboard but these keys are way too small.
I'm also getting used to typing in landscape mode with the FSK.

And geez, what a hassle just to enter period and a comma!

Posted by: mc-fine

Quote:

Originally Posted by carioca_fl

The problem isn't so much the size of the keys (check out the SPB Keyboard I linked -it's a landscape-view keyboard, taking the entire screen) but the lack of tactile feedback makes it hard to type as easily as with a proper hardware, full keyboard.

I feel you on that. I currently use the SPB Fullscreen Keyboard. I don't think it will ever quite measure up to the accuracy of a hardware keyboard but I keep the correction settings on low and just look at the keys as I am going. The audible feedback helps to confirm clicks. 95% of the time when I am done theres the slight errors will have been auto corrected.

I had turned the auto correct off at first but it makes you a little tenative. Keeping it low it only corrects the obivous screwups. As someone who txts in diff languages after a bit the dictionary adapts and I am pretty happy. It will never quite compare to being able to have a thumb on two buttons but knowing exactly where you are pushing down on like the hardware keyboard but it gets the job done fairly well.

Posted by: acarnut

I started typing this response at my desktop computer but switched to the touch to see how I myself am doing with my collection of keyboards. that sentence was not too bad with my favorite, the oem htc keyboard using xt9.

the fsk from pdamedia is a free alternative to the spb fsk and can be used with two thumbs in landscape mode. i prefer the larger buttons and xt9 of the htc kb

the pcm in is good for login n password stuff

the transcriberis neatbut toofussyfor me

so I go back to the htc kb for this last line... by far the easiest and fastest for me.

Posted by: uesnyc

Do you really like the HTC Touch KB tha much? to me, it seems like more clicks to get a single sentence done.. Maybe I didnt take enough time to learn it well enough. I think I kept it an hour before uninstalling it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by acarnut

I started typing this response at my desktop computer but switched to the touch to see how I myself am doing with my collection of keyboards. that sentence was not too bad with my favorite, the oem htc keyboard using xt9.

the fsk from pdamedia is a free alternative to the spb fsk and can be used with two thumbs in landscape mode. i prefer the larger buttons and xt9 of the htc kb

the pcm in is good for login n password stuff

the transcriberis neatbut toofussyfor me

so I go back to the htc kb for this last line... by far the easiest and fastest for me.

Posted by: canadian studen

^ Well i like it that much, that's the only one i use. It took them long enough to bring it out IMO.

Posted by: dnyc

use the transcriber and write your txt msgs

Posted by: alpha_omega

It was took a day or two to get used to it but now I have not problems with it. I personally love the touchpal keyboard (free version) and can't live without it now. Even thinking about purchasing the upgraded version.

Posted by: uesnyc

know what? I'll admit I'm wrong.. the HTC touch KB is way better than I orrig. thought and reviewed. it's not quite a replacement for the pcm or FSK. since it's way too many clicks to get to punctuation. but for text or short messaging, I find it even better than PCM with big iphone skin.. it's a keeper and you were right about it.. it's pretty damn fast if people you're writing dont mind lack of punctuation.

Posted by: uesnyc

forget my last message bout punctuation.. I ust figured it out.. it would be nice however if it came with documentation.. all you have to do is HOLD the key with the character you'd like to use. I'm sold!

Posted by: acarnut

to be more specific, the XT9 on the 20 key kb (not the 12) that was included with my Touch is really good -only one key press per letter is required... and most punctuation is only one extra press of the Sym button.
although typing "xt9" and "sym" are a bother.

Posted by: uesnyc

hey, just one question.. This thing switches between the XT9, ABC, and 123.
Every now & then, a full keyboard pops up with smaller keys, but it seems it could come in handy once in a while.
I cant bring it up at will though, it just seems to pop in when it wants to.
do you know the command to bring up that particular kb?
is there a downloadable doc or manual for this thing anywhere?

Posted by: tintingkc

Quote:

Originally Posted by uesnyc

hey, just one question.. This thing switches between the XT9, ABC, and 123.
Every now & then, a full keyboard pops up with smaller keys, but it seems it could come in handy once in a while.
I cant bring it up at will though, it just seems to pop in when it wants to.
do you know the command to bring up that particular kb?
is there a downloadable doc or manual for this thing anywhere?

I would like to know too. That keyboard only comes up when your in the programs and you loose it when you want to text.

Posted by: ImpulseBuyer81

[QUOTE=acarnut]I started typing this response at my desktop computer but switched to the touch to see how I myself am doing with my collection of keyboards. that sentence was not too bad with my favorite, the oem htc keyboard using xt9.

The XT9 is definitely the way to go, so easy, the trick is don't let off the key for that letter, haven't even thought of using another keypad because the new oem one is pretty dam good in my opinion, the only thing i don't like its the shift being near the xt9 button making it go back to abc which tries to guess the words ...

anyone know of a program to make xt9 default so it never switches if you mistakenly hit the button ...