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Hi all,
I had an idea for a better keyboard for the streak, but I can't find any step-by-step walkthroughs for making android keyboards. If there's one available, let me know and I should be able to tackle this.
If not, I think the streak needs a split keyboard. Imagine the left half of the keyboard on the left third of the screen, the right half on the right third, and a big numpad/d-pad in the middle third. When I'm typing in landscape mode, I know I'd appreciate minimizing my thumbs' reach.
Any takers? Or good keyboard making tutorials?
-- David Z
+1
I thought the same thing when i first got my streak.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Great Idea!
If someone does make one you should add settings so you can control where the DPAD is, so you could make it like the original Dell Keyboard too!
I'm guessing you've not tried swype then?
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
While we're on the subject of thumb reach, might I suggest a portrait keyboard with more keys on the left/right side, so you don't constantly mis-type those O's and P's as a leftie (for example), when using the streak one-handed?
I was thinking of a real multitouch keyboard.
First, you have the standard qwerty keyboard, with shift, enter en dpad buttons. A tab button would be cool too.
Second, if you tap and hold the keyboard (anywhere) and slide it to the left, on the right side it will reveal the nummeric keys, where you can input your numbers. Releasing the keyboard and it'll slide back in position. Slidng the other way around, gives other keys.
I'm dreaming of such a keyboard a long time now.
Someone?
Radddogg said:
I'm guessing you've not tried swype then?
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you blatantly did not read the OP's idea then?
Zelman said:
I think the streak needs a split keyboard. Imagine the left half of the keyboard on the left third of the screen, the right half on the right third, and a big numpad/d-pad in the middle third. When I'm typing in landscape mode, I know I'd appreciate minimizing my thumbs' reach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If somebody makes this, I will personally buy them a drink
I love the Streak, but my thumbs don't...
Hi guys- I don't know of any tutorials, but basically you need to create a custom IME (that's the term used by Android SDK). There is an android SDK example for creating an IME I believe. Also, here is the source code for a Latin keyboard IME someone made:
http://android.git.kernel.org/?p=platform/packages/inputmethods/LatinIME.git;a=summary
+1 to the initial idea.
Myself and my office mate were just discussing UI's and both of us agreed that a split keyboard option would make the streak far more ergonomically friendly and probably speed up typing.
BTW, for mocked up examples of what we are talking about see:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/google-tablet-1.jpg
http://wp.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/4309481995_5bc3276d61_o.png
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2010/01/ss_dialkeys_horiz_520.jpg
I would really love to see a keyboard like this!
Dell's 1.6 stock keyboard makes good use of the additional space instead of just making the buttons ridiculously large, but it really should be symmetric.
With smartphones getting larger and tablets on the rise it's high time for new keyboards, so I think not only the Streak would benefit from it!
All thumbs up for the idea!
Here's an idea: find a developer and start up a kickstart for this... Perhaps we could post this to the general android development forum.
Basic Version
Hey all,
Here's a basic version. It's just a slightly modified version of the soft keyboard that comes with the SDK. It's only usable it in landscape mode, unless you have really small fingers.
Any thoughts/ideas/feedback? Basic changes may be within my ability. A lot of the programming is way over my head, so if anyone wants the source to do some fancy stuff, let me know.
Zelman
Zelman said:
Hey all,
Here's a basic version. It's just a slightly modified version of the soft keyboard that comes with the SDK. It's only usable it in landscape mode, unless you have really small fingers.
Any thoughts/ideas/feedback? Basic changes may be within my ability. A lot of the programming is way over my head, so if anyone wants the source to do some fancy stuff, let me know.
Zelman
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice work will give it a try
Works fine i would just prefer the buttons to be a bit bigger about double the size infact and would like the numbers on the end and not in the middle and the numbers a different colour but thats me other than that a great start thanks
Awesome! Some color / shading might help to distinguish between the letters and numbers and more easily find keys. May be its something you adjust to but i find myself having to search for letters.
Two other layout thoughts. 1) maybe stretching out the spacebar a bit. since thats a frequently pressed key it'd be nice to have it by the other letters and closer to the thumbs., 2) rearranging the numpad to have the zero at the bottom center as with a typical dialer numpad. This would require splitting the spacebar into two segments.
Just my 2 cents.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
gtg203a said:
Awesome! Some color / shading might help to distinguish between the letters and numbers and more easily find keys. May be its something you adjust to but i find myself having to search for letters.
Two other layout thoughts. 1) maybe stretching out the spacebar a bit. since thats a frequently pressed key it'd be nice to have it by the other letters and closer to the thumbs., 2) rearranging the numpad to have the zero at the bottom center as with a typical dialer numpad. This would require splitting the spacebar into two segments.
Just my 2 cents.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't get color to work, yet. Good idea on the spacebar(s). Check this version out.
Screenshot
Here's the current state of things (as of the build above). I'm going to look more into changing the color of the number keys, but I don't think it's really as necessary with this layout. Any and all suggestions are welcomed, and I will let you know what I can/can't/will/won't do.
Also, anyone with android programming experience who can tell me things like, "What are the image format requirements for icons like the one on the delete key?" please let me know if you can offer expertise.
Zelman said:
Can't get color to work, yet. Good idea on the spacebar(s). Check this version out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi thanks alot for the keyboard, its amazing, only 1 bug/error or maybe its just me, as i type a text, after every fullstop, it automatically changes to capital which is good, but it doesnt change back to small case letters after the first letter has been typed, for example if i type this and then stop. IT CONTINUES LIKE THIS. hope u understand? plz help cause otherwise this keyboard would be perfect for me
kag8 said:
hi thanks alot for the keyboard, its amazing, only 1 bug/error or maybe its just me, as i type a text, after every fullstop, it automatically changes to capital which is good, but it doesnt change back to small case letters after the first letter has been typed, for example if i type this and then stop. IT CONTINUES LIKE THIS. hope u understand? plz help cause otherwise this keyboard would be perfect for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have definitely seen the same issue. I will take a look at the source, but if anyone has the SDK and has a good eye for troubleshooting code, feel free to post hints.
Hi, as we all know androids notification is quite great. Apple however took this concept and in my opinion improved it. Many developer also seemd to like it and there are many apps on cydia that offers some customization.
What I'm looking for is an app or any way really that lets you customize the drop down window.
I'd like to b able to change wallpaper, change color of text, add widgets and info for fast updates.
I have spent many hours googling but I cant find anything like this. Is there any way to do this or does someone have thw ability to make souch an app?
I hope
I'm pretty sure access to the android notification can not be done through an app. Its like a core system process that probably can't be edited in real time. You would have to embed some sort of "notification drop down settings" into the OS.
But he is right Apple should not be ahead of us in any way..
Has no one left with common computer skills?
There's many topics on this here one just for you http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1363528
Google and search button's seems to be extra these days
Good stuff I'll have to try. I don't know about everyone else about the search function, but I like to use my phone as a PC so the search does not work all that great through the android browser. Then filtering through the results.on this smaller than PC screen will give anyone a headache. Maybe the xda app is better idk..
airninja6r said:
Good stuff I'll have to try. I don't know about everyone else about the search function, but I like to use my phone as a PC so the search does not work all that great through the android browser. Then filtering through the results.on this smaller than PC screen will give anyone a headache. Maybe the xda app is better idk..
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Click to collapse
I used my standard international SGS2 found results NP..
Cool, we're gettimg there.
However im looking for more than just a theme. Widgets and the ability to add my own background. I wamt the functionality, not just the look
Hi All,
First off, I LOVE themer! I've been using Apex Launcher for some time on my HTC OneX (rooted, ARHD 31.3 ROM) and I've often gazed with longing at the home screens that some people have designed using UCCW, knowing that I'll necer have the time (or the artistic flair) to design my own. Now I can!
But there seems to be SO many customization options on Themer, and I'm a little overwhelmed. For instance, I'm using a theme with an RSS feed as a central tile, but I'd love to be able to change that to a 'favourite apps' tile. I'm sure the option is there, but I can't work it out. So, has anyone developed/is working on/knows of a Themer user guide?
I work on a cruise ship and internet access is slow and expensive (£10 for 167 minutes!) so I really don't have time to surf around looking for answers to design questions.
SO, does such a guide exist? If so, please point me in the right direction. If not, is anyone up to the challenge?:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
The video is kind of like a user guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2474039
miles_muso said:
Hi All,
First off, I LOVE themer! I've been using Apex Launcher for some time on my HTC OneX (rooted, ARHD 31.3 ROM) and I've often gazed with longing at the home screens that some people have designed using UCCW, knowing that I'll necer have the time (or the artistic flair) to design my own. Now I can!
But there seems to be SO many customization options on Themer, and I'm a little overwhelmed. For instance, I'm using a theme with an RSS feed as a central tile, but I'd love to be able to change that to a 'favourite apps' tile. I'm sure the option is there, but I can't work it out. So, has anyone developed/is working on/knows of a Themer user guide?
I work on a cruise ship and internet access is slow and expensive (£10 for 167 minutes!) so I really don't have time to surf around looking for answers to design questions.
SO, does such a guide exist? If so, please point me in the right direction. If not, is anyone up to the challenge?:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks miles_muso for your kind words! Yes the video vhngu930 provided is a good one, but for your problem I can help here. See the thing is that you'd first have to delete that RSS icon and then hold down on the homescreen > Themer Actions > Favorite Apps. Now you'll have a massive heart (we're working on adding icon packs soon), which you'll be able to edit. If you hold down on the icon > edit > tap the icon, you'll be able to replace it with an icon image. You can maybe try here for icon images which may help, they by Jeppe Foldager and the small whites and darks should help for now: https://www.copy.com/s/DxsaXLatvBGf/Share/Icons
Hope this helps!
First of all, I absolutely love this app. It's so easy to use yet powerful and the variety is just incredible. I remember a few years ago when I still had a jailbroken iPhone 3GS, it took me a whole afternoon just to make my phone look like one of these themes, now it's just a press of a button.
I just want to voice a little suggestion for the designers out there and if anyone disagrees with me, please send it right back. I think one of the coolest things about Android compared to iOS is the widgets and one widget that many people use often around me is the calendar. Unfortunately, even though there are so many amazing themes made for this app, very few of them actually dedicate enough space to a calendar widget (and often not at all).
Every theme though seems to dedicate a whole page to a music app. From my experience, this isn't really necessary since when a song is playing, i can see it in the notifications shade or when I want to start a new session to listen to music, I probably want to go into the app and choose which song to start with.
So I'm just making a suggestion to include more calendar widgets in future themes because at the moment, there's not enough themes with them but there are too many themes with music widgets. What do you guys think?
or better yet, make a theme yourself and include whatever you want =)
pcshano said:
or better yet, make a theme yourself and include whatever you want =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan to eventually but I don't have the time right now so I thought I'd make a suggestion for those who do.
A good way to start finding your work-life balance is to challenge yourself to identify one behavior that you can change. What makes you happiest? What stresses you out the most? Determine your answers, then focus on a few areas in which you can improve, whether it's socializing more at work or planning out your day better. Soon you’ll be living happier, too!
sajjad2w said:
A good way to start finding your work-life balance is to challenge yourself to identify one behavior that you can change. What makes you happiest? What stresses you out the most? Determine your answers, then focus on a few areas in which you can improve, whether it's socializing more at work or planning out your day better. Soon you’ll be living happier, too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the self-help tip. It's funny how a suggestion for future themes lead to a lesson on life management! I guess I better keep this in mind the next time I write an app review in the Google Play Store.
sajjad2w said:
A good way to start finding your work-life balance is to challenge yourself to identify one behavior that you can change. What makes you happiest? What stresses you out the most? Determine your answers, then focus on a few areas in which you can improve, whether it's socializing more at work or planning out your day better. Soon you’ll be living happier, too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well that sorted my life out !!!! seriously how is this helping anyone !!!!!
I understand what you mean that many do try and have more music apps etc and as you mention are not always useful,I am guilty of this myself in some respects,but when I create a style I create them because I want to not because they may or not become popular,as this doesn't concern me.It is all down to personal taste I suppose.
I maybe give this a try in a future theme,to be honest it is a good suggestion in my opinion
alldroid said:
well that sorted my life out !!!! seriously how is this helping anyone !!!!!
I understand what you mean that many do try and have more music apps etc and as you mention are not always useful,I am guilty of this myself in some respects,but when I create a style I create them because I want to not because they may or not become popular,as this doesn't concern me.It is all down to personal taste I suppose.
I maybe give this a try in a future theme,to be honest it is a good suggestion in my opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot! I'm glad someone gets what I'm talking about
marcolorenzo said:
First of all, I absolutely love this app. It's so easy to use yet powerful and the variety is just incredible. I remember a few years ago when I still had a jailbroken iPhone 3GS, it took me a whole afternoon just to make my phone look like one of these themes, now it's just a press of a button.
I just want to voice a little suggestion for the designers out there and if anyone disagrees with me, please send it right back. I think one of the coolest things about Android compared to iOS is the widgets and one widget that many people use often around me is the calendar. Unfortunately, even though there are so many amazing themes made for this app, very few of them actually dedicate enough space to a calendar widget (and often not at all).
Every theme though seems to dedicate a whole page to a music app. From my experience, this isn't really necessary since when a song is playing, i can see it in the notifications shade or when I want to start a new session to listen to music, I probably want to go into the app and choose which song to start with.
So I'm just making a suggestion to include more calendar widgets in future themes because at the moment, there's not enough themes with them but there are too many themes with music widgets. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Marco,
This is a good suggestion, we'll definitely pass it onto the team. Thanks!
Calendar apps are light on the ground for me to, I uses a self edited version of the shades of green themer which has a good calendar app
spacecat said:
Calendar apps are light on the ground for me to, I uses a self edited version of the shades of green themer which has a good calendar app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, right now it is the shades of green the only really good theme, if you want events on the home screen. I also feel that all the themes go in a direction of fun and design, and there are only very few, that at least add basic organizer options.
More work related themes would be welcome
I have to second the request for a calendar widget in more of the themes.
I LOVE themer and it's my default launcher now. I use the agenda view of the calendar all the time which gives me the option to scroll through my appointments and meeting times. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of themes that present this option, such as 'Series', 'Silver lining', 'Coordinate' and 'Violet'.
I usually just end up inserting an agenda widget in one of the unused whitespaces in the screen.
I would make my own themes, but I don't have a creative bone in my body. I couldn't hope to come up with anything half as nice as what you guys do on a regular basis.
Thank you for all your hard work. I will certainly be paying for this launcher when it comes out of beta. :good:
MunkySpunk said:
I have to second the request for a calendar widget in more of the themes.
I LOVE themer and it's my default launcher now. I use the agenda view of the calendar all the time which gives me the option to scroll through my appointments and meeting times. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of themes that present this option, such as 'Series', 'Silver lining', 'Coordinate' and 'Violet'.
I usually just end up inserting an agenda widget in one of the unused whitespaces in the screen.
I would make my own themes, but I don't have a creative bone in my body. I couldn't hope to come up with anything half as nice as what you guys do on a regular basis.
Thank you for all your hard work. I will certainly be paying for this launcher when it comes out of beta. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response! We've passed this message onto the team and will look into including more agenda-focused themes
Hi guys!
I'm just enjoying the new open world of my very first Android device, after 8 years of iOs.
In certain ways- it really just very new and fresh and enjoyable-, and in other ways there are small annoyances which i hope i can find a solution with your help (or will just get used to them)
GENERAL, ANDROID, SEARCH
First of all,i'm a keyboard guy. Because of that, since IOS3, i wasn't using screens, but rather the search option, in my opinion there is really no better way to look for an app, but hit the first few letter, and choose from the narrowed list.
In pixel launcher, i was very happy with the search field, BUT, it's at the top on the screen and you have to touch it before keyboard comes up
I mean... COME ON. Seriously?
Phones are over 5.5" phone, this is really a pain in the butt.
I have a big hand, but it's impossible to reach with one hand.
Why not the keyboard comes up TOGETHER with the launcher?? So my question is:
Is there any app, which provide a search among installed apps, and can be reached easily with a shortcut (i mean like in IOS, -> swipe down, and type immediately | no hassle to tap the input field, then wait for the keyboard
NOTIFICATIONS
This one is very simple. Is there any way to make it like IOS?
I mean, in my opinion:
every notification should be one item (not grouped by programs)
when i click on one item, it opens the target itself, and not the program in which the target is (ie: it opens the received email, and not the email app)
Is there any hack / settings / app for all the above?
I would be just really very happy...
Thanks for reading me
zsoltpopa said:
Hi guys!
I'm just enjoying the new open world of my very first Android device, after 8 years of iOs.
In certain ways- it really just very new and fresh and enjoyable-, and in other ways there are small annoyances which i hope i can find a solution with your help (or will just get used to them)
GENERAL, ANDROID, SEARCH
First of all,i'm a keyboard guy. Because of that, since IOS3, i wasn't using screens, but rather the search option, in my opinion there is really no better way to look for an app, but hit the first few letter, and choose from the narrowed list.
In pixel launcher, i was very happy with the search field, BUT, it's at the top on the screen and you have to touch it before keyboard comes up
I mean... COME ON. Seriously?
Phones are over 5.5" phone, this is really a pain in the butt.
I have a big hand, but it's impossible to reach with one hand.
Why not the keyboard comes up TOGETHER with the launcher?? So my question is:
Is there any app, which provide a search among installed apps, and can be reached easily with a shortcut (i mean like in IOS, -> swipe down, and type immediately | no hassle to tap the input field, then wait for the keyboard
NOTIFICATIONS
This one is very simple. Is there any way to make it like IOS?
I mean, in my opinion:
every notification should be one item (not grouped by programs)
when i click on one item, it opens the target itself, and not the program in which the target is (ie: it opens the received email, and not the email app)
Is there any hack / settings / app for all the above?
I would be just really very happy...
Thanks for reading me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use playstore for downloading the ios launcher if the default android irritates you so much. For other stuffs, Google is your best friend
Thank you very much for reading my post
KingRaheel said:
Use playstore for downloading the ios launcher if the default android irritates you so much. For other stuffs, Google is your best friend
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... That's not true, you obviously didn't read my post, otherwise you wouldn't have answered this...
Please read (analyze), and IF you have any USEFUL suggestion, i would be more than happy to discuss...
...ps: I love Android, much more than IOS, i really don't get, from where did you get that i'm irritated by it...
zsoltpopa said:
Wait... That's not true, you obviously didn't read my post, otherwise you wouldn't have answered this...
Please read (analyze), and IF you have any USEFUL suggestion, i would be more than happy to discuss...
...ps: I love Android, much more than IOS, i really don't get, from where did you get that i'm irritated by it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you didn't read my comment properly. Since you had asked if there was an app with features like apple or whatever I said download ios launcher from playstore. Anyways I am out of here. Perhaps some other person may help you out.
You can download the "nils lockscreen notifications" app from play store and espier launcher pro from google
Regards milkyway3