Help is there a way to send/reply to emails using PC keyboard?

tikigod19 · Feb 8, 2012

hi all, my work have blocked access to personal email and it's driving me mad trying to send long emails via my phone.. does anyone know if there's a way to be able to control my email app (I use k9 but will use anything) via USB (no wifi available) using my windows PC?

Many thanks in advance

Russell Ng · Feb 8, 2012

I think some keyboards can connect to the phone. But short of getting a new hardware, why don't you just connect the phone to the PC. Then you have 2 options. Type the email in computer then send to phone. Copy and paste and you have it.

Second option which is more elegant but require using your data, is to use the phone as a modem by USB tethering. Use your data line but browse, etc with your PC.

tikigod19 · Feb 9, 2012

Russell Ng said:
I think some keyboards can connect to the phone. But short of getting a new hardware, why don't you just connect the phone to the PC. Then you have 2 options. Type the email in computer then send to phone. Copy and paste and you have it.

Second option which is more elegant but require using your data, is to use the phone as a modem by USB tethering. Use your data line but browse, etc with your PC.

thanks for the options. Option 2 is a no go due to security lock downs on work pc and option 1 is really the whole reason for making this post.

Copy and pasting from an email is INFURIATING on this phone!! I've considered uploading a video of me trying to youtube but when you get the yellow markers at the start and end you seem to only be able to drag them diagonally, meaning I have to go from left to right to left to right capturing maybe 2 lines at a time and for long emails this takes forever!

If I just try to slide the marker straight down it scrolls down on the page, even if I make sure I'm bang on the yellow marker when I start it.

I'm happy to do this copy paste method if somebody could tell me what I'm doing wrong/why this phone is terrible at copy paste?!

Hawker · Feb 9, 2012

Composing any sort of text is indeed a nightmare on this phone, but I dare say most others are the same.

The email app has a Swype bug, and typing in the browser infuriates me at times.
You have my sympathy!

tikigod19 · Feb 9, 2012

Hawker, what's the swype bug? Chances are I'm experiencing it and this is why I just hate it.

I always say to everyone I love every single little thing about this phone except arguably the most important thing which I hate... typing on it!

jeremy_inc · Feb 9, 2012

Maybe get a better keyboard, I use Swiftkey X, its great for typing long things, especially after it learns your style a little bit. I think there is a 30 day trial on it on the market? Much faster than Swype

Russell Ng · Feb 9, 2012

There is another way, although its only partially helpful. If you use the memo, its a lot easier to type in there. After finishing, you can long press, select all and choose copy. Then paste it as an email.

Like I said, only partially helpful. The only reason why emails is not so good (including trying to reply on this forum using the phone) is that you can't see everything as you type. The email have the top part and bottom part partially covered. While the forum needs to be in landscape mode to see most of the box, leaving a little viewing room for your text. I suspect every phone have similar problem.

Cheers

tikigod19 · Feb 9, 2012

Russell, I'm not sure that's my issue with typing.. just constantly getting the wrong word is the reason that I get so annoyed and I think that'd happen everywhere.

Jeremy, I have bought a seperate keyboard that everyone raved about (can't find it now due to the seemingly totally random way the s2 populates the applications list) but I think it may have been that.. I didn't like it.

I feel trapped as I'm so used to swype that I can't go to anything else without it feeling wrong, however I HATE HATE HATE typing with swype anyway! This is why I was hoping my PC being connected to the phone via USB would enable me to type using my PC keyboard...

jeremy_inc · Feb 9, 2012

Nope can't connect the pc to the phone and control it like that. There are a couple of apps you can connect and send txts via your PC.
If you hate typing with swype then bite the bullet and learn a different one, after a day or two you get used to not swyping.
Swype is a nice idea and very intuitive, but its just not as fast as other methods.

ajmount88 · Feb 9, 2012

Try using the AirDroid app, free from the market. With this you can copy text on your pc, and paste it on your phone (as if you had typed it on your phone and copied it on there) if that makes sense. You can also use the PC to type texts, manage your files, backup apps etc. It seems to be Kies Air that actually works, is much faster and does way more stuff.

ajmount88 · Feb 9, 2012

There may also be a way to create emails using it as well, but if so I havent found it with a quick look just.

tikigod19 · Feb 23, 2012

ajmount88 does it require wifi? Unfortunately that's something I don't have at work which is where I need this feature that's why I wondered if it was possible with USB

ajmount88 · Feb 23, 2012

Ah. Missed the no wifi bit in your post. As far as I know, its wifi only as it works in the same way as Kies Air so its probably no use to you in this situation.

smithbradoid · Feb 24, 2012

You could buy a Freedom Pro keyboard-

Freedom Pro Keyboard

i have had mine for about a year now, originally got it for my Desire but
now use it for the Galaxy S2 with big emails. Folds in half and has a small
pouch and even a stand for the phone to be mounted on.
It is very compact easy to use and portable, and works by bluetooth.
Might be worth a try.

tikigod19 · Mar 6, 2012

smithbradoid said:
You could buy a Freedom Pro keyboard-

Freedom Pro Keyboard

i have had mine for about a year now, originally got it for my Desire but
now use it for the Galaxy S2 with big emails. Folds in half and has a small
pouch and even a stand for the phone to be mounted on.
It is very compact easy to use and portable, and works by bluetooth.
Might be worth a try.

thanks, I have tried a bluetooth keyboard in the past but it was so small it was just as hard to type as it was using the phone!
It's certainly an idea I'd try if there is no other option. I'm surprised there's no app to let you write from your PC without wifi, I'm sure there will be in time but if I can't find anything I'll maybe invest in the freedom pro keyboard (if I can find it in the UK/Europe to avoid a import tax bill)

hilt_m · Mar 9, 2012

How about a usb otg cable? then plug a keyboard into the phone and presto? I sometimes use this to write out long emails on my sgs2.
here's a youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccAm9Tic3Us

tikigod19 · Mar 14, 2012

what a fantastic suggestion, thanks very much. So it's just as simple as buying the OTG cable and then plugging in a keyboard? Do I need an app to enable it or anything like that?

tikigod19 · Mar 14, 2012

do you need a custom ROM for this to work? I'm reading this on one or two ebay listings..

3waygeek · Mar 15, 2012

From what I've read over at XDA, the USB OTG seems to work only with certain keyboards, as there are specific device IDs the drivers look for. Also, the amount of current that the USB OTG supplies to anything plugged into it is pretty small, and some keyboards may be too thirsty to work -- using an externally powered hub should help with that.

My guess is that the more generic your keyboard is, the better chances of it working with USB OTG.

tikigod19 · Mar 16, 2012

3waygeek said:
My guess is that the more generic your keyboard is, the better chances of it working with USB OTG.

it'll be a dirt cheap standard Dell keyboard that comes with the PC with minimal lights/bells/whistles.. I've ordered and really hoping this works!

tikigod19 · Mar 19, 2012

katie12345 said:
download the remote desktop app from google play store that would connect your phone with your computer through wifi and u can send receive and reply with your PC keyboard

thanks but ive said a couple of times I don't have wifi available.

I received my USB host cable but when I plug my simple Dell SK-8115 keyboard nothing happens (tested in messaging app)

tikigod19 · Mar 19, 2012

dell RT7D50 worked a treat, several other dell ones didn't

Help is there a way to send/reply to emails using PC keyboard?

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