Supporting/Encouraging Alternate Keyboards

asked 2014-03-18 18:05:07 +0200

arjwright gravatar image

In a recent post on Twitter Luke Wroblewski mentioned how it doesn't matter what size a screen a device has, all of them are always reduced up to 50% when input becomes necessary. I wonder if it would make sense - at some level for SailfishOS (and thereby Jolla) to not just support alternate keyboard formats, but also encourage the kinds of alternate keyboards which push mobile a bit further?

Of note, I'm looking beyond just the idea of Swype-like keyboards, towards ones like Minuum (a totally different layout). Because, what could it look like if input wasn't so labored, and the ambience of your mobile shined through?

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Comments

I'd really lovevit if Jolla would allow 3rd party keyboards like Swiftkey and Fleksy. I can fly on those keyboards. Of course they'd have to have a Sailfish theme too :)

Hazy ( 2014-03-18 18:22:22 +0200 )edit
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It's not a case of Jolla allowing them, they need to be written for Sailfish and the only people who can do that are the developers of the keyboards as they are not open source. They are unlikely to put the time in at the moment when there are a small number of phones in use and no way to charge for apps. AFAIK Swype for the N9 was a Mallit plugin so presumably novel keyboards can be implemented but someone needs to write them.

stevexley ( 2014-03-19 15:07:35 +0200 )edit
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Minuum would definitely be great on Jolla!

ramoth ( 2014-12-20 18:44:51 +0200 )edit