Netherlands
Very
good
 |
Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) - Better Typing on Tablets
Tested version: 2.7.4
Latest version: 4.3.6.1
Requires Android: from 2.2
|
Summary
A huge variety of alternatives to your standard Android keyboard are now available to users worldwide. Most of these keyboards have been designed for normal standard-size phones. For the many Android Tablets out there on the market, however, the number of keyboard options is still very limited. With any display screen larger than 5”, it’s better and more efficient to type with your index finger or use a slide keyboard. SwiftKey – a favorite among Android users – has already come out with a new version tailored for Tablets. Now with Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) there is another viable alternative input method available for people to try out. As an Archos 70 user, I just had to get my hands on this app…
Features & Use
Section rating:
As you can tell from the app name, Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) is designed to be used with your thumbs, which is the way most on-screen keyboards are laid out. Thumb Keyboard includes 7 different keyboard layouts made to fit screens ranging from standard to 10”. Here they are in detail”
- Phone – Large Layout
- Phone – Compact
- Layout Tablet 5”
- Layout Tablet 7”
- Layout 1 Tablet 7”
- Layout 2 Tablet 10”
- Layout Standard Layout
With the exception of the standard layout, the keyboard is split down the middle into two sections. These two sections get slide out to the sides in landscape mode and get pinched together in portrait mode. You can get a better idea of what I mean by looking at the screenshots. This type of keyboard layout makes it easier for both of your thumbs to reach all of the keys. The split keyboard also allows more room for extra symbols and letters.
On my Nexus One, I had a lot of trouble adjusting to the split keyboard in portrait mode, but I have to admit that the keyboard is much easier to use in landscape mode than the standard Android alternative. The real advantages of Thumb Keyboard become apparent on larger devices. On the Archos 70, for example, the 7” layout is perfect for typing with comfort and ease in landscape mode. Having tried out this layout on my tablet, I quickly realize there would be no going back to the regular keyboard for me. It did, however, take me longer to get used to using the same layout in portrait mode (i.e holding the device vertically).
As far as the different layouts are concerned, it really makes sense to try them al out individually. It is, for example, entirely possible that the 5” layout works really well with your normal Android phone or tablet. For a more customized fit, you can create customized keyboard layouts in both portrait and landscape modes in the settings.
You can select between QWERTY, QWERTZ and AZERTY keyboards, customize the size of the keys, and choose between five different keyboard themes.
Thumb Keyboard includes five T9 dictionaries (English, German, Dutch, French and Italian) that are far from perfect. The word recognition is really not up to par and is not as good at deciphering your typos as the HTC keyboard. The dictionary itself is also much more limited. Finally, you can’t quickly switch between keyboards without going into the app’s settings – a big setback for individuals that type in several different languages intermittently.
Bottom Line:
As a result of problems with word recognition and the built-in dictionary, I can only give four stars here. Nevertheless, the keyboard is definitely a good fit for Android tablet users. In the end, it’s going to take you a good month to figure out if it’s worth replacing your regular keyboard with this new one. That’s why it makes sense to buy Thumb Keyboard on the AndroidPIT App Center with its 24-hour return policy.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
As with all alternative keyboards, you first have to activate Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) as your default input method (Menu Button/Settings/Language & Keyboard). This is also the place to adjust the keyboard’s internal settings.
Using this keyboard is basically like using any touch screen keyboard you’ve encountered so far. Long-pressing the layout button pops up a menu where you can choose between several different layouts.
Depending on the keyboard layout, one key can be used to include several letters, numbers and/or symbols. By long tapping a key, you can select the second “hidden” symbol. Some keys include up to three or four different symbols that you will have to click through.
Each layout is different, so it takes a while to get the hang of each individual one. In my opinion, Thumb Keyboard is a real must-have for tablet users.
In the Thumb Keyboard settings, you can adjust key sounds/vibrations and turn word recognition and spell check on/off. This is also the place to adjust the layouts and key size.
Bottom Line:
Due to its unconventional split-design, Thumb Keyboard definitely takes a little getting used to. As I see it, Thumb Keyboard is geared primarily towards tablet users rather than regular Android touch screen phones.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
The speed of Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) is simply superb! No lags or delays that screw up your typing flow as is often the case with the HTC keyboard.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet) can be downloaded for €0.99 ($1.35) from the Android Market. At the AndroidPIT App Center Thumb Keyboard is available at €1,19 ($1.60) a pop.
Reviews of this app in other languages
Review "Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)" from May 15, 2012 (Portuguese)
Review "Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)" from May 11, 2012 (Spanish)
Review "Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)" from May 6, 2012 (French)
Review "Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)" from May 1, 2012 (Russian)
Review "Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)" from Jan 16, 2011 (German)
Developer
Top App:
Thumb Keyboard (Phone/Tablet)
#2 in this years (2012) top 10 "indispensable An the droid apps list" of ZDNet's (...)
#2 in this years (2012) top 10 "indispensable An the droid apps list" of ZDNet's (...)
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Market Comments
ryanlf, Apr 21, 2012
Surprising I bought this for my tablet. I'm surprised how much I like using it on my phone too! Great keyboard! I wish there was a way to hide the enter key though. Its too easy to accidentally send a text before I'm done typing.
Akira, Apr 21, 2012
Best keyboard out there I use this on my Galaxy Tab 10.1 running honeycomb and my Galaxy Note. So customizable, and key size and spacing is perfect. Decent theme choices.
Steven, Apr 21, 2012
Amazing keyboard This keyboard is really amazing. I love the split mode it is so easy to type I feel like it revolutionized typing. And the themes are all free. Well worth the money
russ rusty or rj, Apr 21, 2012
Rj Just love working with it. I had a swipe type key board after 6 or so weeks it died. Absolute a 1. But it died. This is very easy use. I don't mix up letters no where near as bad. The predictive text bar at the top With the different words an all in easy each. It lets me get done so much faster and I have total control. No conflicts with any of my programs on my Htc desire. You can truely set this key board up the way you want it. So many choices. It is a true joy. Thank you.
Josh, Apr 20, 2012
Amazing I have been a hobbled typist ever since smartphones started shifting to software keys... until now. Just a great, intuitive product, and very useful settings
Tweety, Apr 20, 2012
Awesome Excellent replacement of the stock keyboard. Brilliant concept. Good implementation too.
JayAaroBe, Apr 19, 2012
Buggy on Droid Bionic The app works great, when it actually works. I would rate it five out of five stars if not for the bugs. It's buggy on the Droid Bionic. One minor bug and one major bug. Minor bug: after sending a text message, it leaves the last word of that message in the text box when composing a new message. Major bug: causes phone to freeze and reboot on a semi-regular basis. I tried uninstalling/reinstalling but problems persist.
Josh, Apr 19, 2012
Almost perfect Almost perfect on my transformers tf101 w/ics A couple little things would get that 5th star... 1. Fix Programmable toolbar resets whenever you disable and reenable. 2. Fix Meta keys assigned to toolbar are not sticky making them almost useless.
Sean, Apr 19, 2012
Love it but... A great keyboard for me as I type with both thumbs only on my sgs2 but I am fed up with the tip telling me I can long press to get the symbol. I prefer to hit the key to take me to the other selections. I constantly click the do not show this tip next time but it always does. Please please fix that little bug and you get 5 stars for sure. Thanks
Monte, Apr 19, 2012
A Must Have 4 Most! Awsome app! Three important fixes then I would rate app as a "5"! Pease consider: 1) increasing the typeface (boldness) of the secondary characters (SC). Currently faint/light & some characters difficult to see. Now forced to max size to 150, then SCs "hang" off the top edge. Causing unprofessional looking keys. 2) When txtng; & using the cursor "back-key" the cursor "line-jumps" up, then goes backward. 3) make editable 1st row (quick characters).
David, Apr 19, 2012
Works pretty well. Themes are a bit boring, but no real complaints. It does make typing on a tablet MUCH easier!
James, Apr 18, 2012
Transformer prime This app has made typing on my 10" screen easy. I didn't like having to stretch to type. The programmable. Extra keys make copy/paste and logins easy and saves time typing. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with a large screen. Takes a little while to get used to but after one day of minimal typing I'm faster with this than I was with having to stretch all over the screen to type! Love this app well worth the money.
scientia, Apr 18, 2012
Amazing This keyboard is great. No lie. I don't know why I haven't used it sooner. The setting for 5" screen is perfect for my phone. It does take a little getting used to (the key layout) but after that learning curve this keyboard is the best As far as ease of use, functionality, and speed.
The Athlete, Apr 17, 2012
Excellent on tablet but... Without doubt the best keyboard on a 10 inch tablet but on a galaxy s2 phone I find it painful to type with. Plenty of customisation and theme options but unfortunately it can't compete with the speed and prediction of swiftkey on a small screen.
Gary, Apr 16, 2012
Horrible When you use kill apps it stops working.. garbage... Requesting refund.. for a tablet it might be good but for a smart phone pain in the arsenic...
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