Help Calibration of touch screen?

[KlaymenDK]

As far as I understand, Android and the Galaxy touch screen is not meant to be calibrated; at least, there does not seem to be a user interface for doing so (this is also true of the tilt and compass sensors, and yet various apps include their own calibration methods.)

The trouble is that I frequently --perhaps 40% of the time-- hit the key to the right of the one I meant to type. That is, I get an "M" instead of an "N", a "Z" when I intended to shift into uppercase, and so on. One might argue that I just need to get used to this teensy keyboard, but I might argue that a good user interface should get used to me.

Is there anything that can be done?

 

[jwk]

As far as I understand, Android and the Galaxy touch screen is not meant to be calibrated; at least, there does not seem to be a user interface for doing so (this is also true of the tilt and compass sensors, and yet various apps include their own calibration methods.)

The trouble is that I frequently --perhaps 40% of the time-- hit the key to the right of the one I meant to type. That is, I get an "M" instead of an "N", a "Z" when I intended to shift into uppercase, and so on. One might argue that I just need to get used to this teensy keyboard, but I might argue that a good user interface should get used to me.

Is there anything that can be done?

Turn it over ? Im new to smart phones altogether AND i have pretty big thumbs and im really pleased with the size and feel of the side on keyboard. It makes it a keeper for me.

 

[REEM-B]

The trouble is that I frequently --perhaps 40% of the time-- hit the key to the right of the one I meant to type.

After calibration you would press the wrong key 60% of the time

Now seriously, never read/heard of something like this.

 

[KlaymenDK]

By "turn it over", I suppose you mean use landscape mode. Well, not all apps support that.

The gist of the matter is that I am used to using a stylus, where you can see what you're doing. With Android, it senses the centre of my finger press -- but that means I can't see what I'm pressing since that's also the area that my finger obscures. It would be nice to be able to calibrate it so I could offset it a bit.

I don't know if this ascii art comes out all right:
.___
/...\ How it is:
|.o.| <-- the touch point is in
\___/ the middle of the press
.___
/o..\ What I'd like:
|...| <-- the touch point is at
\___/ the edge of the press

 

[ZeeToo]

I think in order to get this functionality you need to install a new keyboard.

The keyboard apps can compensate for location (and I presume some could be calibrated)..

I've found the HTC hero one seems to me to be more accurate, http://androidforums.com/samsung-i7500/8079-htc-keyboard-samsung.html if you want to give that a try.

ZeeToo.

 

[KlaymenDK]

Aha! Using the codes *#*#0*#*#* and *#*#2664#*#* (taken from this page) I was able to get a good idea of where the phone actually reads my touch compared to where I think I'm touching it, and sure enough the touch point is a good 3-4mm to the right.

Hmm, I have to find a way to make my fingers slimmer, sharper, or more transparent.
Or, does anyone know if this iPhone stylus would work on a Galaxy?

 

[dilan]

I you have a stylus, when calibrating use the stylus to touch the center point of the plus. i did it and worked like a dream!

 

[xoxid]

If you don't care about how long they take to send it, this website is cheaper:
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.206~search.iphone%20stylus

 

[weasel]

So can anyone confirm if that stylus ( or any other ) does, in fact, work with the Galaxy ?? I have managed without it so far ( and better than I thought ), but there are times when it would be nice to have.

 

[bresslau]

I don't see the need for a stylus in my case.
BTW, I callibrated the the HTC keyboard with the clicker apk, all seemed quite callibrated allready.

 

[informale]

I don't see the need for a stylus in my case.
BTW, I callibrated the the HTC keyboard with the clicker apk, all seemed quite callibrated allready.

Mind you, Clicker only calibrates the HTC keyboard, not the whole screen (and not other keyboards either). Clicker is aimed at making a correction to the way keyboard interprets your touches. People may touch the virtual keys with different fingers and at slightly different angles - that is what Clicker addresses.

 

[bresslau]

You are completely right, informale, thanks.
What I wanted to point out is that I had the imprecision that the standard calibration was already good as it was, as the calibration of the htc keyboard showed me.
cheers!

 

[weasel]

So, no stylus ??

 

[chronodekar]

The way I understand, the iphone has a capacitive touch-screen, similar to our Galaxy. So, I think the stylus would work. However, I must question the wisdom of purchasing a stylus in the first place. Perhaps I'm too critical, but IMO using a stylus on a touch-screen phone kindof defeats the purpose.

-chronodekar

 

[informale]

Capacitive screens are made specifically for touching them with fingers! )

 

[weasel]

I know,but on some web pages even my average size fingers seem large. It would be nice to have another tool to use, even if only infrequently.

 

[chronodekar]

I know,but on some web pages even my average size fingers seem large. It would be nice to have another tool to use, even if only infrequently.

It is for situations like this man has invented the "Zoom". It comes with 2 modes - "+" and "-". You need the "+" mode.



-chronodekar

 

[Lelouch]

I just tap on the screen and instantly it just zoom in. Anyway, almost all phones (newer ones) come without the stylus.

EDIT: it's double tap, sorry

 

[bresslau]

For tiny links on webpages I use the hardware anvigation pad and OK key. Just press one of the navigation keys (up, down, left, right) and the mouse pointer appears near where you last touched. Navigate to the link and press OK.

Cheers!

 

[weasel]

To all of you .... I know all bout the zoom and navigation keys. Its more for the novelty of it. That and the fact that no one else seems to have one for these phones. Just want to know if its even possible. If I can do something with one move with a stylus, instead of two or three with the zoom and navigation keys, that is something that appeals to me. Its kind of like the powering off the phone. I still don't understand why I need triple confirmation to turn it off. One long press should be adequate.

 

[chronodekar]

Interesting explanation weasel.

Oh well, to each their own.

-chronodekar

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

First of all, let me state that this is a thread from 2009. Styluses are a thing of the past.

Anyway, it was important for me to buy a phone to be used with my fingers. I think it's much more intuitive and much faster. I hold the device with one hand and write with my thumb, or with both hands and write with both my thumbs (which works very well), so there's no really need for a stylus as it would require both my hands.

Plus, the phone has no stylus hole thing. I'd lose the thing all the time.

 

[chronodekar]

First of all, let me state that this is a thread from 2009.

I never realized that!

Still, the discussion here has been insightful.

-chronodekar

 

[informale]

It's that dilan guy, who revived the thread for some reason.

I you have a stylus, when calibrating use the stylus to touch the center point of the plus. i did it and worked like a dream!

And it seems to me he was taking about some old Windows Mobile device

 

[chronodekar]

It's that dilan guy, who revived the thread for some reason.
And it seems to me he was taking about some old Windows Mobile device

For that matter, I haven't seen him/her on the forums since!

-chronodekar