Virtual keyboard comes to Android, still not ready for primetime

Fri, Nov 14, 2008 | by Robert Nelson

Android may currently be lacking a virtual keyboard, but that does not seem to be stopping developers from working on a solution and including it with their apps. We have already seen the reports that a true virtual keyboard will be available during Q1 of 2009, but this first is included as part of the A7 SMS app from DotPhone.org.

Unfortunately, the app was noted as being “a bit hard to use.” Additionally, it also appears that aside from a slightly awkward keyboard layout, that it is not that easy to get running on any G1. Reports mention that both firmware RC29 and RC30 are having some difficulty, and I can also confirm personal difficulty on RC29.

So while this sounds like good news, it looks like we G1 users are going to have to continue waiting a little while longer for that onscreen keyboard.

[Android Community]

a7 sms, android virtual keyboard, dotphone, virtual keyboard

2 Trackbacks For This Post

Virtual keyboard comes to Android, still not ready for primetime | AndroidBlog.net Says:
November 15th, 2008 at 12:47 am

[...] post: Virtual keyboard comes to Android, still not ready for primetime Related ArticlesBookmarksTags Steve Jobs Not So Keen on Android, Or Its Chances [...]

Chomp SMS like an Apple does on your G1 | Srcasm Says:
January 5th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

[...] SoftKey/A7 SMS – While I love Chomp, A7 was first and so it needs a place on the list. Many people have complained about A7 not working properly although when it was first released it worked fine for me. The keyboard is awkward to type on and when I used it, it was landscape only. This kind of defeated the purpose of the OSK for me. [...]

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1 Comments For This Post

Jay Says:
November 24th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Downloaded this to get Chinese/English function on my G-1. Does not work for Chinese input.

It has other problems. Don’t waste your time on this until they get it right.

Virtual keyboard comes to Android, still not ready for primetime | AndroidBlog.net Says:
November 15th, 2008 at 12:47 am
[...] post: Virtual keyboard comes to Android, still not ready for primetime Related ArticlesBookmarksTags Steve Jobs Not So Keen on Android, Or Its Chances [...]
Chomp SMS like an Apple does on your G1 | Srcasm Says:
January 5th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
[...] SoftKey/A7 SMS – While I love Chomp, A7 was first and so it needs a place on the list. Many people have complained about A7 not working properly although when it was first released it worked fine for me. The keyboard is awkward to type on and when I used it, it was landscape only. This kind of defeated the purpose of the OSK for me. [...]