Turn off auto-rotation, BUT in horizontal (landscape) mode

**Davros0** · 06-10-2012, 03:28 PM

Hello All,

I wonder if anyone can help?

Due to disability (Cerebral Palsy) I only have the use of one hand. I have just gone over to using a Galaxy S II. When I am using a phone, in a wheelchair, I usually rest it on my bad arm, which I have resting on my lap. For this reason I prefer the keyboard to be in landscape mode; this also helps as the keys are slightly larger. Getting the keyboard into landscape mode is not a problem of course. However, when I put the phone down on my arm it has a habit of reverting back to portrait mode. Now I know you can turn auto-rotation off, but they assume that you want it to stay in portrait mode. I do not. I want the keyboard to always be in landscape mode.

I have had a quick Google without any success. Is there a simple, or not so simple way, of forcing the keyboard into permanent landscape mode?

I have the Samsung Galaxy S II, on ICS 4.0.3.

Richard.

**TheCellphoneGuy** · 06-10-2012, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Davros0

Hello All,

I wonder if anyone can help?

Due to disability (Cerebral Palsy) I only have the use of one hand. I have just gone over to using a Galaxy S II. When I am using a phone, in a wheelchair, I usually rest it on my bad arm, which I have resting on my lap. For this reason I prefer the keyboard to be in landscape mode; this also helps as the keys are slightly larger. Getting the keyboard into landscape mode is not a problem of course. However, when I put the phone down on my arm it has a habit of reverting back to portrait mode. Now I know you can turn auto-rotation off, but they assume that you want it to stay in portrait mode. I do not. I want the keyboard to always be in landscape mode.

I have had a quick Google without any success. Is there a simple, or not so simple way, of forcing the keyboard into permanent landscape mode?

I have the Samsung Galaxy S II, on ICS 4.0.3.

Richard.

Hi, sorry to hear about your disability. Yes, there is a way to permanently force your phone to be in landscape mode.

There is this app in the Play Store which takes care of that. It works on my Galaxy S2 and I assume that it should support ICS as well.

Here is the link to the Play Store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rotationlocker

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

**Steveanderson13** · 06-10-2012, 03:50 PM

Rotation Locker is free, seems to work well. Orientation Control is $1.49, description fits.

**Davros0** · 06-10-2012, 04:08 PM

Thanks to the pair of you. I will go and have a look.

Thanks, again.

**Davros0** · 06-11-2012, 05:55 AM

Thanks, TheCellphoneGuy. I have tried Rotation ocker and it seems to do exactly what I want.

@Steveanderson13. Once I start getting to play with profiles, I will give Orientation Control a try. At the moment though, Rotation Locker suits me fine.

Thanks guys.

**Davros0** · 06-11-2012, 06:15 AM

I know it is slightly off-topic (but then I created the thread, and my question has been adequately answered), but can anyone please tell me how to change "Phone Expert" in my header. I might have been once, but not any more with the smartphones. I did look through settings last night but could not find setting to change.

Richard.

**TheCellphoneGuy** · 06-11-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Davros0

I know it is slightly off-topic (but then I created the thread, and my question has been adequately answered), but can anyone please tell me how to change "Phone Expert" in my header. I might have been once, but not any more with the smartphones. I did look through settings last night but could not find setting to change.

Richard.

That can't be changed, because it's based on your number of posts, once you reach a certain number it will change to something else. The only other way to change it is by becoming a premium member.

It's explained in more detail here:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...4#post14004364

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

**Davros0** · 06-12-2012, 03:15 PM

Thank you.

I did not think I would have set something as conceited as that but thought I must have. :-)

Richard

CA · 06-17-2012, 09:19 AM

If you also want a large keyboard (works great in landscape mode) try A.I.type Keyboard Free you can re-size it all you want!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...5hbmRyb2lkIl0.

**Davros0** · 06-18-2012, 05:42 AM

Thanks, CA,

I will definitely give that a try, thank you. Though Rotation Locker is working well for me, the keyboards are a bit of a pain. I have tried a few. That is just because I have the shakes, if my wrist is not resting on a surface. At the moment, as I type this on the computer, my palm is resting on the edge of the keyboard shelf. I have found a way of doing it, though I would not do it in public. If the phone is on the table, and I put my thumb in my mouth, I can guide my finger to the appropriate key - most of the time. Typing and E-Mail address, or in particular my standard 14-chacter password (consisting of numbers and case-changes), is a nightmare. For this reason, the larger the keys the better. :-)

I was setting up a Samsung Service account yesterday, for the security tracking and locking features, and it took me ages. They have this bloody big banner at the top of the screen that if you have the phone in landscape mode obscures the typing window. That is not usually a problem though.

This is the main reason I put off getting a touchscreen for years. Do not get me wrong, a physical keyboard is not easy for me, and this is the main reason the phone is usually hooked up to the computer; I can use its keyboard. I suppose you could argue that the touchscreen is a better option. At least I can change the size keyboard. I have to confess, using the SGS2 has not been as nightmarish as I thought it was going to be. :-)

<Ricky boogies-off to get A.I. type>

Richard

**Davros0** · 06-18-2012, 06:42 AM

Thanks CA,

I have just installed and configured A,I. type. My first test in portrait mode, resting on my arm, "Is this any better to type on?", only produced one mistake. I noticed this as I typed it and was able to correct it there and then.

If I use the voice recognition (which is another story in itself with me) and spot a mistake, the problem I then have is trying to get my finger to the right place to edit. I tried a keyboard with cursor keys, as I thought that might have helped. Alas, it did not.

Up to now I do like this one. I just hope the initial test was not a fluke.

Richard.

**Davros0** · 06-18-2012, 07:01 AM

Yey, I have just found the cursor keys on this keyboard. :-))

Thank you.

CA · 06-18-2012, 07:48 AM

You know it learns too, but it's the best mash and go keyboard my eyes have found!

**Davros0** · 06-18-2012, 06:36 PM

Well I have been playing with it on/off all day. I did not know it learns, no. I have also downloaded the windows version, though I am having problems registering my E-mail address. Possibly due to my E-Mail address being a web address that then forwards the mail onto my ISP address. It would not be the first service to object to this.

I think my search is over. If anyone can show me a better keyboard app then please try.

I am happy enough.