When can I expect to see a virtual keyboard?

[radiationhazard]

I'm just curious. I'm getting the G1 next weekend and am wondering how long until a virtual keyboard will be available. I really like the idea of having a full slide-out keyboard but I would also like a virtual one so if I'm not wanting to say much I can just use the virtual keyboard or if I'm in an area where it needs to be quiet I don't need to have the sound of the keyboard sliding open. I think that this is the right section to ask but I would like to say sorry if it is not.

 

[GODMODE]

I've heard its coming in january. But, who really knows. A 3rd party one might make it sooner.

 

[radiationhazard]

alright thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting a G1. I've been looking forward to an android powered mobile device for close to a year I'm really excited about getting the G1 next weekend.

 

[OrganizedFellow]

Eagerly anticipating ShapeWriter.

 

[radiationhazard]

Eagerly anticipating ShapeWriter.

what is that?

 

[OrganizedFellow]

what is that?

Android Developer Challenge Gallery - Android

ShapeWriter is an innovative, easy, fast and fun method of entering text into touch screen mobile phones. One can write an entire word with a single gesture.

http://www.shapewriter.com/

 

[radiationhazard]

Android Developer Challenge Gallery - Android

can you just type the word out letter by letter or do you have to draw it like that? just curious. drawing it seems kind of fun

 

[Scamp]

Eagerly anticipating ShapeWriter.

I wondr how wel it works for thos of us who cant spell efficeintly.

 

[gPhunk]

There was a virtual keyboard app loaded last night called "Softkey". It definitely is a "version 1", (the keys are pretty small and you can't use it to send texts) but at least its a step in the right direction!

UPDATE - According to the Dev, Text capabilities will be available "within 24hours"

 

[radiationhazard]

There was a virtual keyboard app loaded last night called "Softkey". It definitely is a "version 1", (the keys are pretty small and you can't use it to send texts) but at least its a step in the right direction!

UPDATE - According to the Dev, Text capabilities will be available "within 24hours"

awesome!! so they should have some sort of virtual keyboard for texting before I get my g1 this weekend!

 

[willamlholla]

Oh imma wait up for this one...get scared drive'n and text'n makes me miss my Ocean a lil bit

 

[andonnguyen]

check it out:

http://www.androidforums.com/showthread.php?t=1102

 

[MarvinAndroid]

And for the record... the G1 keyboard is VERY quiet... I don't think you have to worry about the noise too much.

 

[rushmore]

As of today, there is not ture virtual keeyboard to replace using the G1 keyboard. The ones on the market are more for just testing the keyboard itself and not actually executing any action in apps (other than the keyboard app itself).

A true virtual keyboard that activates when using any text box for any app will probably be part of the OS, rather than a seperate app- hence the plan for Google adding one in early 2009.

 

[Deleted User]

As of today, there is not ture virtual keeyboard to replace using the G1 keyboard. The ones on the market are more for just testing the keyboard itself and not actually executing any action in apps (other than the keyboard app itself).

A true virtual keyboard that activates when using any text box for any app will probably be part of the OS, rather than a seperate app- hence the plan for Google adding one in early 2009.

yea its all about integrating it into the android OS. Something this important cannot be done in the software level :]