Android getting virtual keyboard

24 October 2008 by Staff Editor

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Yes

+9 [9 votes]

One of the largest complaints that I have noticed is the lack of an on-screen keyboard on the T-Mobile G1. The answer to everyone’s prayers, an on-screen QWERTY keyboard, will be released in Q1 2009.

One-handed text messaging, email and instant messages will finally become a reality thanks to Android roadmap. One question that arises in our heads is, just how fast will you be able to text with an on-screen keyboard? The G1 does not support multitouch and we find that there is a little delay when using the dialer. Still, people who find the need to flip the G1 open each time they type rather annoying will love this shortcut. The site reads:

“At the moment, Android does not support any virtual keyboard, but that may soon
This feature will enable support for input methods other than physical keyboards, for example soft keyboards. IMF will also enable application developers
to provide IME (see below) applications based on the framework.

Input method engines (IME)

IME will support soft keyboards, a dictionary of suggestions, and a suggestion algorithm. The Android platform may contain few reference IMEs, and developers
can provide IME applications through the Android Market.”

[Via HTC Source]

Join the Discussion (21 comments)

Boogdriod

10-24-2008 07:42 AM

I mean, I can drive and text now. Or even take a piss and text. Can't wait!
blkmz3

10-24-2008 08:26 AM

not soon enough!!
therahul2000

10-24-2008 09:21 AM

I think Google has a good strategy to lure consumers into buying a great product (with some missing links ofcourse)...and then promising to fix those missing links in the upcoming days so that consumers remain hopeful and dont switch over to another product.

she a g e e

10-24-2008 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therahul2000

I think Google has a good strategy to lure consumers into buying a great product (with some missing links ofcourse)...and then promising to fix those missing links in the upcoming days so that consumers remain hopeful and dont switch over to another product.

Haha, story of my life. I don't think this is uncommon at all.

BPL710

10-24-2008 09:28 AM

Great news! That is one kinda annoying but not really that big of a deal thing..I mean if i just want to do a quick google search or youtube search, i dont want to have to open the keybord every time..Its not that big of a deal, just me being picky i guess..
senor360

10-24-2008 10:18 AM

I find it HIlarious that folks blasted the iPhone for no physical keyboard, and till this day that feature still keeps some from buying it. Now here comes along the G1, which i'm loving btw , and it's time to now complain about the 'LACK' of virtual keyboard. Grass is always greener I guess.............
Drengrish

10-24-2008 10:30 AM

Thats good news, but I really think they best hustle to get some of these updates out. A few people I know who bought the phone are returning it because of some of the issues like the lack of a vkb and the sub par battery life.

she a g e e

10-24-2008 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor360

I find it HIlarious that folks blasted the iPhone for no physical keyboard, and till this day that feature still keeps some from buying it. Now here comes along the G1, which i'm loving btw

, and it's time to now complain about the 'LACK' of virtual keyboard. Grass is always greener I guess.............

Lol, I guess the point is that if this phone can get a vkb. Then it would definately one up the iphone.

HunterGracchus

10-24-2008 10:38 AM

Jeez, I posted this 3 days ago in the Virtual Keyboard thread... http://androidcommunity.com/forums/38964-post93.html

Atean

10-24-2008 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor360

I find it HIlarious that folks blasted the iPhone for no physical keyboard, and till this day that feature still keeps some from buying it. Now here comes along the G1, which i'm loving btw

, and it's time to now complain about the 'LACK' of virtual keyboard. Grass is always greener I guess.............

That's exacly what I'M saying... I mean, wasn't that one of the biggest complaints about the iPhone? The lack of a QWERTY keyboard? I mean, are THAT many people really going to use the virtual kb instead of the QWERTY?

One of the reasons why I sold my iPhone was because it didn't have a QWERTY keyboard and sending the dozens of texts I send daily was a HUGE pain in the ass. The iPhone keyboard was HORRIBLE for me, and trying to type quickly by using both hands was even MORE horrible... I thought everybody felt the same way, and that's why they where complaining... Guess not. Guess these noobs wanna type with one thumb...

Quote:

Originally Posted by she a g e e

Lol, I guess the point is that if this phone can get a vkb. Then it would definately one up the iphone.

Yup... A 1-up indeed.

Naterade

10-24-2008 12:40 PM

You're missing the point most people are making. Most want a virtual keyboard for say, a quick google search, or to text a reply such as "ok". I'm the same way coming from the iPhone, I love the fact that the G1 has a QWERTY, but a virtual keyboard every now and then DOES come in handy.
escosuave

10-24-2008 12:49 PM

I used to love my iphone, i loved the virtual keyboard, it's called a PERSONAL PREFERENCE. When the G1 gets the virtual keyboard option I will be the first one on it. I don't really like the whole pull out the keyboard thing, it's not entirely bad but I prefer the iPhone style better and I purchased this G1 knowing that people WILL program that in at a later date. I also like iPhone's browser better btw if you really want to know. With all that said, I like iPhone and g1 but g1 does what I need more then iPhone does, and I see a LOT more potential with the gPhone. My opinion.
embrace LB

10-24-2008 12:55 PM

Sweet, excited put a virtual keyboard and make surwe it works in portrait mode. Fix it so the accelerometer moves whether you slide the screen or don't slide the screen, & finally somehow get multi touch on here already
davidj2k

10-24-2008 01:09 PM

Now they just need to take care of the Number 2 complaint (Install apps to the SD card) and I would call my G1 perfect!!!
vitriolix

10-24-2008 01:24 PM

Cool, loving my G1 so far, but already a few instances where the virtual keyboard would be a big help. For instance, I was walking down the grocery store isles with a basket in my left hand and got a IM that i wanted to quickly reply to, something like "what kind of ice cream"? for that kind of message, you don't want to put everything down so you have both hands free to type.
nickmgray

10-24-2008 01:30 PM

Thanks for quoting my blog. And that everyone here for reading it.
VGPOP

10-24-2008 02:07 PM

Why not have a both?
hotwhencold

10-24-2008 02:12 PM

I think that both would definitely be nice. I love having a physical keyboard, but there are sometimes that you just want to send a quick note or even just search for something or dial someone in the address book that is all the way at the bottom. Sometimes a virtual keyboard would be a nice convenience.
solidstar

10-26-2008 02:42 AM

Q1 2009?!? C'mon!! Just have a x'mas release, it'll be an EXCELLENT XMAS GIFT FOR ALL G1 OWNERS!! btw the virtual keyboard shoulda came with the phone so it better be FREE!
valtheman

10-27-2008 09:58 AM

I can't wait when this get released... its gonna make the phone so much greater..
rereTHEEbeast

10-30-2008 04:19 PM

i guess it will b nice for those times whn yew dnt want to open yer fone
bt i think one of the things i really liked about this fone was the keyboard in the first place seeing as though i did nt like the iPhone keyboard [i kno its rare to hear tht..]