Customizing the HTC Hero keyboard

FADviral · August 23rd, 2009, 04:51 AM

I'm in the UK but notice it's got an American keyboard layout (from a shifted symbols point of view). For example, the top row reads like this:

! @ # $ % & * ? /

instead of

! " £ $ % ^ & * (

To be honest, I can see the benefits of the US layout on this handset because I don't want to jump through hoops for the @ and / symbols. But I *do* want the two more localized currency symbols on that first keyboard page. Is there any way I can replace # and $ with £ and €?

I did ask HTC's guy on Twitter, but it seems they employ him more for chit-chat and handset promotion than assisting existing users of HTC handsets.

Raphaels · August 23rd, 2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADviral

...But I *do* want the two more localized currency symbols on that first keyboard page.handsets...

+1, even if it is by a long press on $ that will give you £ and €.

FADviral · August 23rd, 2009, 05:33 AM

What do you mean by "+1" ?

Slug · August 23rd, 2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raphaels

[...]a long press on $ that will give you £ and €.

I'm using the QWERTY layout and get no long-press options on the numeric keys.

/Al

FADviral · August 23rd, 2009, 07:02 AM

Same here. For local currency symbols, I have to click 12#, then 1/2. It's a bit of a pain. I filed a ticket with HTC support to see if customization is possible.

nafe · August 23rd, 2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raphaels

+1

It's a message-board figure of speech, it means "yeah, me too - I agree".

sundials · August 24th, 2009, 07:51 AM

Have you taken a look at the "Touchpal" keyboard on the market?

franners · August 24th, 2009, 10:33 AM

I run Touchpal and it is superb. The correction and prediction is much better than stock Android. It's currently free on the Market.

hatch · August 24th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Quick update........

I got in touch with HTC today and it doesn't seem like the guy knew about the £/$/€ isue at all and said it should be set by locale.

Interesting enough and he asked for my IMEI and is going to look into it.

MartinS · August 24th, 2009, 12:11 PM

I also am stuck with the $ symbol in the UK - would like to obviously get a £ without having to go into (12#) and then (1/2)...

FADviral · August 24th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franners

I run Touchpal and it is superb. The correction and prediction is much better than stock Android. It's currently free on the Market.

It looks very like the keyboard in the HTC Hero. Does the HTC Hero have a stock Android keyboard? Does Touchpal let you customize keys?

MartinS · August 25th, 2009, 09:07 AM

I have downloaded this Touchpal App and the English language option which now shows up in the settings menu on my device.

However the keyboard looks the same and there is still only a $ symbol on there.

Anyone got around this yet?

sundials · August 25th, 2009, 09:44 AM

When you hit the number key and it brings the number board up you can swipe to the side or use the arrows to move to more options

MartinS · August 25th, 2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundials

When you hit the number key and it brings the number board up you can swipe to the side or use the arrows to move to more options

?

Doesn't seem to do anything. What I mean is, is there a way to get the £ symbol as a long press entry instead of the $ when on the main keyboard?

sundials · August 25th, 2009, 10:04 AM

I will keep looking and I will post if I work it out

FADviral · August 25th, 2009, 10:15 AM

To be honest, I'm reluctant to download that Touchpal app because it looks exactly like the HTC Hero keyboard. Are you sure that's not the keyboard we're already using? HTC seem to have a habit of licensing other company's software to use in their own devices (the Twitter app falls into this category for example). Also, as Martin says, holding down the dollar does not grant access to any other character when you hold it down and swipe.

Having to go through three keyboard pages to access the local currency character is just crazystupidignorant UI design on HTC's part.

robbiec · August 25th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADviral

Having to go through three keyboard pages to access the local currency character is just crazystupidignorant UI design on HTC's part.

Oh yeah, I never noticed that before.. it is slightly annoying.

I don't get why they have put a settings button on the keybaord layout.. hardly something that's used frequently

ianr · August 29th, 2009, 06:14 PM

I use the keyboard settings button usually about twice per day. Never deliberately though!

I also find the pound sign being 4 presses away very irritating. (and no, for any U.S.ers present, I mean the pound sign as in currency, not the "hash" symbol, like a noughts and crosses board, the one you use to represent the "pound" in weight).

Mojo Fones · August 30th, 2009, 12:25 PM

TouchPal is completely different to the Hero keypad so I think you might be looking at something different. TouchPal has black keys and you can flick/swipe between the different layouts, have another look in the Market and check the install instructions. :-)

jimeller · August 30th, 2009, 12:48 PM

You have to long press the text field And select input method in order to change from the stock android keypad to the touchpal one. I've just started using touchpal and although I like it cos its more fluid, there are a few gripes with it. not sure how long I'll stick with it. ...

Kada Dix · January 22nd, 2010, 05:29 PM

this is really irritating!

Also ive searched for Touchpal on the market and cant find it, has it been discontinued

2toon2fast · May 24th, 2010, 10:39 PM

I can't even find the app.

redrover · May 25th, 2010, 10:43 AM

and I would like to be able to click on .co.uk not .com

John..