What's up with all these keyboards?

[MoodyBlues]

In System Settings, I have a bunch of keyboards that I know I didn't install, such as the four shown here:

and the first entry here:

Oddly, the first four--which I will never need--cannot be uninstalled, and trying to disable them yields this stern warning:

The other one, the 'Daydream' keyboard, can be uninstalled.

I guess my question is, what dire consequences might I face by disabling the ones that can't be uninstalled? Surely nothing like bricking the phone...right?

Also, WTF are Daydream apps? That's what that one keyboard is for, but I have no idea what they are.

 

[mikedt]

I've never seen things like Google Pinyin Input installed as system(baked in}) on any device. What phone is it? If you've got no need to be typing in Chinese, or Japanese, etc. they can certainly be safely disabled

 

[MoodyBlues]

It's a Moto Z² Force Edition, Mike--purchased directly from Motorola in the USA.

I keep meaning to ask if you're anywhere near that coronavirus outbreak. I hope you're okay.

 

[puppykickr]

Generally, any keyboard can be disabled or uninstalled without worry- so long as another useable keyboard is left or has already been installed.

Personally, if you care for security at all, I would dump all Google keyboards and attachments.

Look for a keyboard with no internet capabilities.

Figurevout what you want and need in a keyboard.

For plenty of bells and whistles, Swift is nice, but it is not as secure as Hacker's Keyboard (also called ESC sometimes).

For a total utilitarian and secure keyboard, try Simple Keyboard.

 

[MoodyBlues]

but it is not as secure as Hacker's Keyboard (

I've been using Hacker's since its inception--and have no plans to stop.

I love its full-keyboard features.

This is my current configuration/look:

I change it up from time to time, in terms of its design, but always with the same layout.

 

[puppykickr]

I've been using Hacker's since its inception--and have no plans to stop.

I love its full-keyboard features.

This is my current configuration/look:

View attachment 147187

View attachment 147188
I change it up from time to time, in terms of its design, but always with the same layout.

God! That thing is huge!

I have too many preferences, so I use Simple when in portrait mode. (Notice the symbols/numbers right on the main keys, and the small size allowing more screen viewing.)

But Simple only has one size adjustment, so it's Hacker's for landscape mode.

Too bad that Hacker's doesn't have the same on-key symbols and long press options, or that Simple doesn't offer two different sizes.

I wanted to screenshot my Simple and Hacker's as well, but for some reason it disappears when I try a screenshot.

 

[mikedt]

It's a Moto Z² Force Edition, Mike--purchased directly from Motorola in the USA.

I keep meaning to ask if you're anywhere near that coronavirus outbreak. I hope you're okay.

I'm spending most of the Chinese New Year in Ireland, UK, and Holland. I'm currently in London, go to Amsterdam on Tuesday. So I think I'm safe enough.

 

[Hadron]

My phone has a few of those, and as you can see from the screenshot I disabled them (a long time ago actually). The world didn't end.

 

[MrJavi]

Ha

I'm spending most of the Chinese New Year in Ireland, UK, and Holland. I'm currently in London, go to Amsterdam on Tuesday. So I think I'm safe enough.

Have fun and Happy New Year @mikedt

 

[MoodyBlues]

God! That thing is huge!

Check it out in landscape!:

But do note that I never use it in landscape, hence I haven't fiddled with its settings. If I did, I'd make it shorter.

I have too many preferences, so I use Simple when in portrait mode. (Notice the symbols/numbers right on the main keys, and the small size allowing more screen viewing.)

I haven't looked at Hacker's settings in a long time, but are you sure it doesn't have options for symbols/numbers?

I know it does for size. I've made mine a comfortable height for typing and for seeing plenty of the screen:

Too bad that Hacker's doesn't have the same on-key symbols and long press options

Double-check its settings, puppy; I know it has various options for key placement.

I wanted to screenshot my Simple and Hacker's as well, but for some reason it disappears when I try a screenshot.

You might want to try a screenshot app that lets you set a delay before snapping a shot. I've had that feature forever on my computers with Kubuntu's default screenshot app, but I've never needed it on Android so I can't recommend anything.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I'm spending most of the Chinese New Year in Ireland, UK, and Holland. I'm currently in London, go to Amsterdam on Tuesday. So I think I'm safe enough.

Good! I'm glad. That virus is nasty. Last I heard, some ≈25 million people (2 entire cities/regions) had been quarantined--with armed guards preventing their exit.

We don't want to see you on the news, Mike, so behave yourself!