Any text expander / replacement apps?

[borderless]

On the Blackberry, they have autotext that allows you to expand text. You can customize it so for example "mtg" will expand to "meeting".

There is also some macro code that replaces your phone number, etc.

Is there any app that does text replacement / expansion on the Droid?

 

[mcapehart]

I'd like to know about this as well. Searched the Market without results.

 

[borderless]

bump bump bump...

 

[ShiftNo]

If there were an Android app that would do this, that would probably be enough for me to ditch my BlackBerry.

Anyone aware of any updates?

 

[alostpacket]

ClipStore or Inserty maybe?

Thread here: http://androidforums.com/android-applications/30470-just-found-utlimat-cut-paste-utility.html

Haven't tried either yet myself.

 

[ignatz]

ClipStore or Inserty maybe?

Neither one of these works for me. I want what the Blackberry can do by default: allow me to define a short text string that is automatically replaced by a longer one. I want to type "]js" and have the phone replace it with "Joe Smith", etc. This is great for email addresses, full names, street addresses, etc.

Google, are you listening??

 

[ShiftNo]

Man, that sure would be handy! I hope somebody with the know-how is able to write this.

 

[(G)]

Let me raise my hand and vote for this, also. "mj" sure beats typing in "meeting in conference room J" anyday.

 

[ShiftNo]

I'm wondering if the best way to do this would be as part of a new keyboard for Android. Since third-party keyboards have different options and features, such as the HTC Sense keyboard and Better Keyboard, I would imagine that a third-party keyboard like these would be the best way to implement this as I don't know if Android has any built-in auto-correction...

 

[ShiftNo]

Just found this: (FireKeys Auto Text FREE v2.0 Application for Android | Productivity). Can't find it on the Market, though, so I can't try it out. Looks like a perfect AutoText solution!

 

[mcapehart]

Actually since posting here I discovered SlideIt keyboard which has shortcuts that work like a Text Expander. Works great.

 

[ShiftNo]

Thanks for the heads-up, mcapeheart. I installed the demo of SlideIt. I see the shortcut list, but the expansion doesn't work for me.

I wonder... are you using the hardware keyboard on your Droid? If so, would you mind testing it out with the on-screen keyboard, if you haven't already? My Hero is obviously all touchscreen, and I'm wondering if somehow that is the issue here...

 

[(G)]

I just installed FireKeys (search the Market for "FireKeys") then uninstalled it, since it's a full keyboard replacement, and there's no way in the world I'm giving up Swype.

Nuts.

 

[alostpacket]

Actually, from what I have read that's the only way for an app to expand text. It either has to replace the keyboard, or replace the textbox you are typing into. For security reasons apps are not allowed to "listen" to what the user is typing in other apps.

 

[ShiftNo]

That makes sense, alostpacket.

I tried searching the Market for "FireKeys," but came up with nothing. Could it possibly be a 1.6+ or 2.0+ requirement? I'm using the HTC Hero, with 1.5, so that's the only thing I could think of, that perhaps the Market won't show the app because it's not compatible?

 

[mcapehart]

SlideIt works just like Swype (except it's a valid download). ShiftNo, I've been using it with the virtual SlideIt keyboard, not the physical. Works fine for me.

 

[alostpacket]

That makes sense, alostpacket.

I tried searching the Market for "FireKeys," but came up with nothing. Could it possibly be a 1.6+ or 2.0+ requirement? I'm using the HTC Hero, with 1.5, so that's the only thing I could think of, that perhaps the Market won't show the app because it's not compatible?

Correct, the market will not show you apps that are incompatible with your version of android.

You may see a lot of that soon too as 2.0 offers developers a lot of new tools and new apis that change drastically how a dev works. However I think rumor has it that most heros are slated to get 2.1 over the next 3-6 months.

 

[Blrfl]

Try the paid version of Smart Keyboard. I just discovered the free version (which is excellent on its own) and liked it enough to buy the paid version (which does those expansions) on the spot.

--Mark

 

[ShiftNo]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip. Is the AutoText really good/easy to use?

 

[Blrfl]

Yep, works great, and I've added a bunch of things already that I didn't expect to. For example, I type the thing with my name at the bottom of messages a lot, and now all I have to do is type "sig(Newline)" and it pops right in there.

One other thing I like is that you can change how long the vibrator runs when you hit a key. The phone's a lot more comfortable with it set very short.

Well worth the couple of euros it cost.

--Mark

 

[ShiftNo]

You sold me on it, and I'm glad you did! Smart Keyboard Pro seems to do AutoText really well. It's a great find!!

 

[Blrfl]

Drat, and I don't even get a commission.

--Mark

 

[cdf3]

AutoText is a feature I use daily on my BlackBerry. I was unwilling to give up using my BlackBerry because of this. If Smart Keyboard works the way you say it does, I will be upgrading to Android very soon.
Will Smart Keyboard work for the HTC Incredible?

 

[MrKaraokeSteve]

I feel that I shouldn't have to pay for a feature that I like.. I mean its default on most phones.

I just wish it was a free app, or setting that can be changed

 

[ralvy]

On the Blackberry, they have autotext that allows you to expand text. You can customize it so for example "mtg" will expand to "meeting".

There is also some macro code that replaces your phone number, etc.

Is there any app that does text replacement / expansion on the Droid?

The latest version of Keypurr now does this. Version 3.