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Would you get a small keyboard for your Evo 4G?

toomuchgame441

Android Expert
Oct 24, 2009
1,081
78
I was pretty much dreaming about having my Evo all day yesturday and even tho I've played with one (usually play with my co-workers Evo all the time), I love everything about it, the on-screen keyboard, kickstand, screen, browser, media player etc... I currently have a Sprint Hero which I'm OK with... but I need more

So I was thinking yesturday, since the Evo is a borderline tablet in a lot of ways, I was wondering about if they'd make a small little keyboard for the Evo... it sounds almost silly and its not necessarily needed with the Evo's great on-screen KB, but I think it would be a nice lil accessory. Maybe I'll use the "Paint" application on my computer and draw up some prototype of what I think would be a good design...

thoughts?
 
Unfortunately the current build of Android does not support the bluetooth HID profile, so you cannot use most portable bluetooth keyboards with the Evo. It would otherwise probably be the option you're looking for.

However, I'm told that Android does support the SID profile, so a small number of bluetooth keyboards offer SID (serial interface device I believe) support and can possibly be used with the Evo.
 
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Unfortunately the current build of Android does not support the bluetooth HID profile, so you cannot use most portable bluetooth keyboards with the Evo. It would otherwise probably be the option you're looking for.

However, I'm told that Android does support the SID profile, so a small number of bluetooth keyboards offer SID (serial interface device I believe) support and can possibly be used with the Evo.

This is the real issue, there are myriad small keybords out there but without HID support, can't use em.
 
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Negative. After using a BlackBerry for two years, then an iPhone for two years, then back to BlackBerry for about six months, the switch to the EVO was a piece of cake.

I have plenty of "real estate" on the screen, so the keys are perfectly sized. I will admit that the iPhone's (I had a 3G) virtual keyboard is still a tad more responsive and accurate.
 
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Serious question. What would you be using the keyboard for, texting?

I would probably use it for homework that I have to get done on the go. it would be great during IM and when ever I want to make posts on these forums. I'm sure typing will get better on an actual Evo on-screen but I'm literally typing this all on my color note app on my Hero which is a lot easier and less of a pain to type in the actual browser.

And thanks for the link posted above that is just along the lines of what I was thinking of for an Evo keyboard.
 
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...literally typing this all on my color note app on my Hero which is a lot easier and less of a pain to type in the actual browser.

Try the mobile skin on this site. Its on the very bottom left corner in an option box for af mobile or phandroid skins. It looks bad, but it works without lag on typing. I think its because this site has a lot of Java script or something that makes it laggy.
 
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Try the mobile skin on this site. Its on the very bottom left corner in an option box for af mobile or phandroid skins. It looks bad, but it works without lag on typing. I think its because this site has a lot of Java script or something that makes it laggy.

Well I have the mobile version of this site while on my phone but its so ugly is rather look at the full site, LOL. But yes it is easier to type on the mobile version. But does the mobile version allow you to switch between forums like you can on the full site?
 
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Two things...

A) I wouldn't bother hooking up a hardware keyboard after using Swype. I've come to the Evo from a long line of slider keyboard phones and I was a little nervous about the switch. I had become very comfortable with a hardware keyboard. I was getting a lot of errors to begin with on the Evo on-screen keyboard but after using Swype for a few days I'd never think of spending money on a separate hardware keyboard.

B) As for browsing and posting on forums. There's an awesome app called Tapatalk for Android. It basically uses raw input and output to communicate with forum software to condense it into an extremely mobile friendly format sans web graphics, signatures, etc. It comes pre loaded with a ton of forum sites to choose from.

Unfortunately this site isn't on the list, but I know the developer. Maybe I'll bug him about adding it.
 
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Two things...

A) I wouldn't bother hooking up a hardware keyboard after using Swype. I've come to the Evo from a long line of slider keyboard phones and I was a little nervous about the switch. I had become very comfortable with a hardware keyboard. I was getting a lot of errors to begin with on the Evo on-screen keyboard but after using Swype for a few days I'd never think of spending money on a separate hardware keyboard.

B) As for browsing and posting on forums. There's an awesome app called Tapatalk for Android. It basically uses raw input and output to communicate with forum software to condense it into an extremely mobile friendly format sans web graphics, signatures, etc. It comes pre loaded with a ton of forum sites to choose from.

Unfortunately this site isn't on the list, but I know the developer. Maybe I'll bug him about adding it.

http://androidforums.com/site-updates-announcements/122121-tapatalk-support-has-been-pulled.html
 
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I'm starting to get so used to predictive text typing that I wish I had the option at my desktop. I've gotten so accustomed to the stock froyo keyboard that I don't even bother going into landscape mode anymore. I can now type one-handed while walking down the street and have no problem writing multi-paragraph emails. I couldn't even type this well on my Touch Pro 2, and that's generally regarded as the best slide out keyboard ever made. So I can't really think of a use for an external keyboard except for flash games.
 
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