Better Keyboard for Android Review

[mikef1182]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yWVFaaAf5EA/ShyxEL0eDoI/AAAAAAAACZI/5DcNLeVhUFk/s400/31.png

From the developers:

Better Keybaord is an enhanced version of the English keybaord you found in Android 1.5.

Key features:

- Change the look of the keyboard by applying skins

- Bigger keys and enhanced sensitivity & accuracy

- Long press key to access alternate key (shifted keys)

- Gesture controls, swipe up/download to close, swipe left/right to shift

Better Android's Blog (http://betterandroid.wordpress.com/)

Review:

With the new Android 1.5 update, us G1 users have gained a great new feature, the virtual keyboard! Well not even a day after the update is out, developers Better Android have released their latest application called Better Keyboard. First off you do not need any home app for this application to work. It replaces the standard virtual keyboard. It basically improves on the standard keyboard by giving you larger buttons, skins, swipe gestures and long press control. Better Keyboard costs $1.99 in the Android market and is worth every penny if you use the virtual keyboard or you like to customize every aspect of your phone. Better Android's keyboard gives you all of the same features of the standard android keyboard like text correction, auto capitalization, space twice for period, and auto correction. I have been using it pretty heavily for the last two days and have had no issues with it at all. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the skin options in the future. Check out the video below to see Better Keyboard in action!

My Better Android Video Review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1XfbixNN8)

Pros:

More features than standard Virtual Keyboard
Larger Buttons
Skinable
Gestures

Cons:

None

Pictures Via Better Android's Blog: (http://betterandroid.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/introducing-better-keyboard-for-android/)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yWVFaaAf5EA/ShxyAuTxGFI/AAAAAAAACZA/6UynTNw9Cxk/s1600/61.pnghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yWVFaaAf5EA/ShxyAb9td2I/AAAAAAAACY4/vG0fNaOLgQY/s1600/51.pnghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yWVFaaAf5EA/ShxyAGU5sJI/AAAAAAAACYw/xcGg2OYWYfQ/s1600/41.pnghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yWVFaaAf5EA/Shxx_qKQDZI/AAAAAAAACYg/505XkCcI3II/s1600/21.png

[LazyGenius]

nice review!

i bought this app when it first came out but unfortunately i had to get a refund because it doesnt work on Haykuro 6.0r1....:(

[mikef1182]

nice review!

i bought this app when it first came out but unfortunately i had to get a refund because it doesnt work on Haykuro 6.0r1....:(

I should have put that in my review, Better Keyboard does not work on some custom ROM builds. Thanks for the info! Anyone else have issues please post it in this thread so we know what ROMs this apps will/wont work with.

Thanks!

[trumani]

It would be really helpful if we start generating a list of apps like this that are only compatible and viewable in market if you have cupcake. I started a thread here:

http://androidcommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?p=196318#post196318

[*susan*]

Another very good review! Thanks, Mike.

[draxter]

Wooo! I guess that clears most of the typing errors :)

[dwang]

I love the gesture controls. So convenient to swipe across to get numbers.

[JohnnyLicious]

very nice review!!

[DaYuMu6ft7]

So whats better.. this App or the HTC_IME keyboard, Anyone knows ?

[benthomasg1]

Will this work with the JF 1.5

[facelessuser]

I like the HTC_IME, but Better Keyboard seems to combine the thinks I like about HTC_IME and the default Android keyboard and adds a little extra cool stuff. The look is irrelevant since, you can change Better Keyboard's skin to look how you want. I think this keyboard is a winner. Using it now.

[facelessuser]

Will this work with the JF 1.5
Using it right now on JF 1.5; works great.

[smasraum]

So whats better.. this App or the HTC_IME keyboard, Anyone knows ?

I've got the HTC_IME on JF 1.51. I really like it. It's also got the long-touch options and some other nice stuff going on. I noticed that someone said that the Better-Keyboard won't work with custom ROMs. I assume that would mean that the JF stuff is out, so it may not matter much.

I don't know that I'm that worried about the ability to skin my keyboard, but it's nice to have the ability if you want it.

[Woodard2589]

it works on JF builds fine just not on haykuro builds. i didnt like Better Keyboard and through the HTC keyboard on, which i think is a thousand times better than better keyboard or any other keyboard ive used, mainly for the spell correction. Google's keyboard and better keyboard both suck at spell correction as far as i've seen where HTC is almost dead accurate.

[DaYuMu6ft7]

Hmmm, Thanks for the comparison fellas.. I have the apk for the HTC_IME VK...

But I held off until I received some concert feed back on both VK's, decisions decisions, SIGH!

[Tyler]

I bought this, and love it! Wonderful app :)

[ren857]

Great review. I just purchased this myself.

[MoeLester518]

Didnt think the keyboard would be that much better, but i was wrong. it feels like the chomp sms keyboard. def worth the buy.

[LazyGenius]

So whats better.. this App or the HTC_IME keyboard, Anyone knows ?


Hmmm, Thanks for the comparison fellas.. I have the apk for the HTC_IME VK...

But I held off until I received some concert feed back on both VK's, decisions decisions, SIGH!
does the "better keyboard" have a t9 option? if it doesnt i would say the HTC_IME is better because it has 3 options for vk not just one. and not to mention it has auto correct for the physical kb as well...

[*susan*]

I tried it out and like it a lot. I don't seem to make near as many errors with it as I do with other keyboards. I would definitely recommend it.

[JaceMan]

I'll give it a try after they come out with Better Physical Keyboard. I won't be using any of these virtual keyboards, at least not until I'm forced to do so because physical keyboards disappear completely.

[*susan*]

I think many guys prefer the physical keyboard because they have bigger fingers. But, I am looking forward to the android phones without keyboards as I like being able to carry a slimmer phone.

[JaceMan]

I think many guys prefer the physical keyboard because they have bigger fingers. But, I am looking forward to the android phones without keyboards as I like being able to carry a slimmer phone.

I do NOT have "big" fingers. In fact, I might have the smallest hands of any adult male in the U.S.A. and that includes those of "short stature" like Matt Roloff.

[mikef1182]

I do NOT have "big" fingers. In fact, I might have the smallest hands of any adult male in the U.S.A. and that includes those of "short stature" like Matt Roloff.


LOl I like it because sometimes I want to use the phone one handed and its much easier to do so with a virtual keyboard.

You are right though, there is no replacement for an actual hardware keyboard.

[JohnnyLicious]

I think many guys prefer the physical keyboard because they have bigger fingers. But, I am looking forward to the android phones without keyboards as I like being able to carry a slimmer phone.

i agreeee im looking into the new samsung i7500 android phone =D

[DaYuMu6ft7]

does the "better keyboard" have a t9 option? if it doesnt i would say the HTC_IME is better because it has 3 options for vk not just one. and not to mention it has auto correct for the physical kb as well...


I still haven't tried either, I really don't want to buy the "better keyboard" app if I don't have to..

[dwang]

i agreeee im looking into the new samsung i7500 android phone =D

Only problem I'm seeing with the i7500 is that it seems to only have 128mb of RAM. That's not very much considering the g1 has 192mb and we still see lots of apps getting off loaded.

The htc magic has 288 mb of RAM which means that more apps can stay in memory without having to be killed.

[mikef1182]

They just updated Better keyboard to include a T9 keyboard. Haven't tried it yet, anyone else?

[*susan*]

I downloaded it onto my Google Ion last night. I tried it and it is fabulous, Mike.

[TheJuan]

oh yeah Susan how are u liking the new phone

[*susan*]

I just got it yesterday, but it is wonderful. Will be posting a review soon.

[mikef1182]

I downloaded it onto my Google Ion last night. I tried it and it is fabulous, Mike.

Looking forward to your review! How would you say better keyboard compares on the Ion vs the G1? I am sure the larger display helps out.

[DaYuMu6ft7]

Awww Sh*t.... Susan is rocking that new 'MAGIC"

I'm scared of her, LMAO!

Good News

[AIpha]

I may give this app a try. I frequently use the virtual keyboard on my g1 from time to time. $2 isn't bad...

[mikef1182]

I may give this app a try. I frequently use the virtual keyboard on my g1 from time to time. $2 isn't bad...

Its worth it, plus the skins are really good too!

[AIpha]

Its worth it, plus the skins are really good too!

To save myself a few seconds searching the Android market, are the skins free?

[DaYuMu6ft7]

yes the skins are free....

[AIpha]

yes the skins are free....


epic, thanks.

[djgunner]

I am running BK also (with open home full) and LOVE IT. love that I can skin my KB quickly and easily, I like the config menu with lots of options for key press feedback, 10-key, swiping gesture, etc.. definitely worth a couple of bucks imo.

[androidmonkey]

Wasnt this app for $1.99 before? I decided to buy it today and it shows up at $2.99.

[fritz269]

yeup, I saw that too

[djwaz]

Its a great app I highly recommend it!

[impaler]

I just downloaded it and I really like the larger keys. Errors are way down and the keyboard feels much more responsive.

[SymptomsReagent]

This app is awesome. Now if they just add multi-touch the iPhone has or will be surpassed IMO.

[InsightGoalie]

I still think the HTC keyboard is the best. Wish they had a high resolution one.