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External Keyboard Helper Pro – Finding the right keyboard

by Christian Brüggemann on 2/11/13 9:00 AM

Tested version: 5.5
Latest version: 6.1
Requires Android: from 1.6

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Summary

If you've ever tried connecting a keyboard to your Android, you will most likely have run into issues with the keypad layout. If you're not a US layout user, this will affect special characters keys as well as result in mixing up Y and Z.

If you're like me and are waving your fist in the air, enraged and shouting “Stop this madness!”, read on, because External Keyboard Helper Pro is our app of the week!

 

Features & Use

Section rating:

Tested on: Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Android version: 4.1.2

Since version 3.0, Android supports Bluetooth and USB keypads, but this is far from perfect. On many devices the system assumes it is being connected to a US-layout, meaning that the keys are not in the correct position for users who are accustomed to working with other layouts. It will be challenging enough for French speakers used to working with the AZERTY, but those looking to use the Cyrillic alphabet will be in even more of a pickle.

But—there's a solution: External Keyboard Helper Pro. This app automatically activates when you hook up to a keyboard, and in the best case scenario it will automatically connect to the preferred keyboard layout. Alternatively, you can make changes manually; the list of supported layouts is extensive.

Ideally, all you would need do is install and activate the application so that you can then go straight on to typing away.
Fortunately for some users, however, the app's scope is larger than that. If your keyboard is not set optimally, you have the option of adjusting individual keys and assigning them functions, characters, combinations and even apps that will start up when you hit the key. So, for instance, when you hit a certain key the volume adjuster will pop up, another will allow you to adjust the screen brightness, while yet another is assigned to the gamepad. The same goes for often-used functions such as copy, paste and insert. I was very impressed by this!

Go to advanced settings if you wish to turn the app into a connection of the input method's selection dialog, or else to activate a key that can help you switch between up to three language layouts.

It may happen that the app accidentally assigns new hardware keyboards to the device. This can be prevented using the device filter ID: simply enhance the filter until you're rid of such glitches. In most cases you won't have to deal with anything of the sort, however.

Bottom line:

External Keyboard Helper Pro is a function-packed application that allows users to personalise and modify their keypads for Android, and it allows you to completely circumvent annoying and ineffective on-screen keyboards that swallow up half the display. It's also ideal for non-US layout users.

The drawback: controls. More details on that below.

 

Screen & Controls

Section rating:

External Keyboard Helper Pro has some excellent functions and settings options on board, but we came across a few bones of contention in this category. First and foremost, the app is not ideal for newbies. There's no tutorial to help guide new users through the rather complex functions. Even Android pros might be taken aback by the sheer number of settings options. Reading through the three page info section – tips for starting out, FAQ and documentation – can take a while.

A more easy to navigate UI wouldn't even have been that difficult to achieve. The Ubuntu installation menu is a great example: when installing, simply hit a few keys and the layout will pop up automatically. Layouts can then be displayed within the app. Hit a key on the screen and a menu pops up allowing you to change a key's function. A sub-menu could be used for advanced settings (such as a device ID filter).

 

Speed & Stability

Section rating:

External Keyboard Helper Pro runs without any issues.

 

Price/Performance Ratio

Section rating:

External Keyboard Helper Pro is our app of the week and available for only €1.09 instead of €2.26. A fair price considering the amount of settings.

 

Comparable Apps

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Apedroid en

Sweden

http://www.apedroid.com

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External Keyboard Helper Pro
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External Keyboard Helper Pro, External Keyboard Helper Demo, Null Input Method
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herrie skerrie
Feb 16, 2013 8:34:50 AM

ik ben diante ben jij me oom

herrie skerrie
Feb 16, 2013 8:34:15 AM

jes

Market Comments

A Google User, May 4, 2013
A real aggravation SAVER!!!!! After well over a year of trying to find a Bluetooth Keyboard that would as I call it stutter, have missed keystrokes, multiple spaces, Non Stoppable keystroke runs without having to shut off my keyboard and or remove the batteries to just get it to stop. Only to type a few words having to repeat the process all over again. And many a night trying to find a solution to this problem Googling every term I could think of. Only to find out that there was "NO FIX" even though it's a well known problem now for the past "3" releases of Android's OS's. With "NO FIX" insight for this problem. I happened upon a post on one of these searches about this program, Saying it had/has a "NO REPEAT" feature in it's settings and that it fixed it for him. I decided to dwnld it, I first tried out the Demo and it seemed to work, So I took the chance and bought the Pro Version at $2.74. I figured what the hey it was worth the shot. And am I glad I ever did, In fact I'm writing this review since dwnld this program. And not prob #1 Thx to the Devs of this program. Your a Real Life Saver.....
A Google User, May 3, 2013
Works great This app is what I was looking for, I purchased it immediately,. Wish it supports chinese language though.
A Google User, Apr 29, 2013
works!
A Google User, Apr 26, 2013
Fixed all of my keyboard LAG issues with my Logitech keyboard Great application. If you are getting language pop ups and laggy keyboard with external BT keyboard this app fixed the issue.
A Google User, Apr 25, 2013
fixed character repeat thanks! now i can use my keyboard and mouse with mhl!
A Google User, Apr 17, 2013
Works fine on Samsung Note 10.1" I was having the annoying onscreen keyboard popping up repeating with my bluetooth keyboard. This app fixed that as well as a repeating character issue I was havin on one of the apps I use. Great app!!
A Google User, Apr 15, 2013
Excellent! Works as described. Little tip: if you wish use CapsLock as layout switcher, follow next steps (to prevent CapsLock default handler): 1) Choose your first layout 2) Customize it (advanced settings) for Custom1 by adding CapsLock overwrite to F12, for example 3) Choose your second layout and do the same as in 2) but for Custom2 4) Select 'Override special keys' 5) Change Layout-switch key for CapsLock (58 code) 6) Choose second layout as Custom2 7) Choose primary layout as Custom1
A Google User, Apr 14, 2013
Works, with great dev response I bought this just to remap caps lock to control for emacs. It didn't work, due to how emacs on android was set up, but worked in other programs. Emailed dev and in a few days the problem was fixed. Good program, does what it says on tin, with a responsive dev.
A Google User, Apr 12, 2013
Helps but has issues This application is complex, and probably can modify your keyboard to do whatever you want, but it doesn't explain how it works well enough to allow you to use everything. Many keyboard issues are still pending a fix for me, and I don't have the time to use trial and error to understand this program.
A Google User, Apr 11, 2013
Funciona GT-N8000 Conectei um teclado usb e funcionou... Tem suporte pra teclado Portugues-Brasil.
A Google User, Apr 7, 2013
Works well, easy to use. The only trouble I had was easily resolved with the website's tutorials. Watch out to make sure Android OS is actually using EKHP as the input, or it will seem like nothing is changing. Convenient and lightweight, it doesn't slow down anything. Works great on my Nexus 10.
A Google User, Apr 7, 2013
worth the bucks! Does what I wanted on my Note 2. But, does not fix the problem where esc works for some apps and not others. Wish I could figure that one out.
A Google User, Apr 6, 2013
Does what I want. I got this to use Dvorak on my external keyboard, and it works great. It also allows me to do some key remaps to match the layouts I normally use, like change caps lock to ctrl. I plan to try to map in some macros, but not sure if this can do it. Not an issue if it can't, as it already fulfills the primary function very well. This keyboard program has lots of options to use and choose from.
A Google User, Apr 6, 2013
Useful helper app Pretty essential for any wireless keyboard users. Really needs a character picker, as strangely I have not memorised the Unicode standard. Also support for Apple keys (cmd, fn etc.) would be excellent.
A Google User, Mar 28, 2013
supports DVORAK on Logitech keyboard It met my hopes and dreams. I need to type DVORAK on my external bluetooth Logitech keyboard. It worked fine. I'm glad the publisher provided a DEMO version so I could verify it would work - which it did. $2.43 is a weird price. Why not $2.50? I'm not complaining. By the way, and this is a very high complement: It also supports DVORAK LEFT HAND and DVORAK RIGHT HAND layouts.
A Google User, Mar 27, 2013
perfect this made my keyboard work its so worth the two dolars
A Google User, Mar 27, 2013
Use 2 keyboards well One at work one at home. Only issue is with on screen keyboard not displayed there is no spelling help.
A Google User, Mar 27, 2013
Bought after trying demo This app does exactly what it says it does, and is great for keyboard mapping. The devs website has tutorials on how to use the app which is great. My suggestion would be to makeit slightly more dumb-user friendly by being able to program the keys for apps by selecting the app instead doing all the before work. Great job!
A Google User, Mar 26, 2013
Perfect for using my Evo4g as a desktop PC I use my Evo4g with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, connected via HDMI to my flatscreen TV. This app is incredible! The sound option to make your keyboard sound like a traditional typewriter is worth half the price alone! I have shortcuts set up to make/end phonecalls, full media controls for my music and videos, hotlinks for website url's, etc.
A Google User, Mar 25, 2013
I can use Icelandic letters Yeyy :) I love this app. Now I can finaly use a regular keyboard for my tablet and use the icelandic letters (being from Iceland :) Thank you :)
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