[RELEASE] Finger Keyboard VGA Update NEW .cab

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FingerKeyboard2 - public release

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INTRODUCTION:

Hello everyone! As promised - we are back with much anticipated FingerKeyboard v2! The goal was to create a very stylish keyboard with great key layout and some very cool features that will make your everyday typing a great experience.

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FEATURES:

Keeping it short, let's go through the main features:

- one of the most (if not the most) touch screen finger-friendly keyboards out there
- great looking
- supports both portrait and landscape modes
- supports WVGA & WQVGA (limited VGA support, read post #2)
- supports different language layouts
- has a numeric layout for fast typing of numbers
- supports selectable color schemes
- supports Windows Mobile Contact name suggestions
- supports Windows Mobile Word suggestions (DOES NOT SUPPORT T9!)
- has excellent layout of buttons in both portrait and landscape
- many cool functions: text selection, cut+copy+paste, home, end, single word deletion, single line deletion, whole text deletion etc.
- preset emoticons for fast typing of smile-faces
- preset web browsing shortcuts for fast typing of web and e-mail addresses
- highly customizable (requires editing txt files, tough)
- supports click sounds when typing
- has a configuration utility that allows selecting lanuages and color schemes
- now comes in a .cab file for easier installation

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LANGUAGES INCLUDED FOR WVGA:

- English
- Russian
- Romanian
- Croatian
- Bulgarian
- French
- German
- Polish
- Greek (multiversion!)
- Danish
- Italian
- Norwegian
- Arabic
- Hebrew
- Hungarian


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INSTALLATION:

- IF YOU HAVE OLDER VERSIONS OF FINGERKEYBOARD, PLEASE UNREGISTER THEM BEFORE INSTALLING V2! If you need to unregister and don't know how to do it, check THIS post.

- after unregistering you have to soft-reset the device. Then you can proceed with installing FingerKeyb2.

- Run the attached .cab file (recommend you install to device memory)

- The keyboard will install into /Program files/FingerKeyb. There is also a link to Configuration tool in the Start > Programs.

- After installation, a Config window will open. Select language layouts you wish to use, and select a color scheme (both can be changed later)

- Select SMS name and WinMo word suggestion options in the second tab

- Click on OK and softreset the device

- Open up your standard keyboard (in SMS for example), click on the small arrow next to the middle keyboard icon and go to "Other input options"

- FingerKeyb should be listed there, select it and you're good to go


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XT9 & TEXT SUGGESTION:

This keyboard does not support T9. However, there is an option to enable standard Windows Mobile word suggestion, as well as SMS contact name suggestion. There are two ways to do this.

First way is to use the FingerKeyboard Config tool and select what you want to use (Word / SMS suggestion, or both). SMS suggestions will work normally, but for WinMo word suggestion to function, you will need to switch to HTC default keyboard and manually turn on XT9 on the little T9 switch. After that, you can reload FingerKeyboard and everything will work normally. This can be a good way for people who like to use T9 on other keyboards, but also want to use FingerKeyboard without T9. This approach also makes it possible to use new HTC style suggestion windows (the ones with small arrows on each side, where you can flip between names / words).

To avoid messing around with XT9 switch on HTC keyboard you can simply globally disable XT9 across the whole system. That means that T9 will not work even on system keyboards that have T9 support, but SMS / Word suggestions will both work. Also, this approach will disable the HTC style suggestion windows, and use the default WinMo style (the one that opens a simple white window with list of suggested words or names). The patch file which disables XT9 globally can be found along with installation files. This patch can be uninstalled, so don't worry - you can always revert to old settings if you don't like it. Also, please note that when you install this patch, you will not be able to select SMS / Word options in FingerKeyb config tool - they will always be turned "on".

We know that neither of these two approaches are perfect, but just couldn't find any other solution. It might be best to install the FingerKeyb cab and test it first. You can always globally disable XT9 later on if you decide so.

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ADDITIONAL FILES AND LINKS:

XT9 DISABLE CAB:
A cab that will disable XT9 globally, across the whole system. Installing this means that XT9 will NOT work on any keyboards you have on your WinMo system.

SIP CHANGE:
Installing this will allow you to keep FingerKeyboard as default keyboard after you soft-reset the device. Normally, it would switch back to default WinMo keyboard after every soft-reset, and it would have to be reselected under input options. Keep in mind that for this to work with Touch HD, you must increase the timeout delay to at least 50 seconds!

SMALL ROW SPACE:
You will notice there are additional zip files with portrait layouts below (WVGA-compact-portrait.zip and WQVGA-compact-portrait.zip). These are the exact same portrait layouts as the ones included in the .cab installation file, with just one different feature: they have smaller row space in portrait mode. For users who are used to touch screens, this will be a nice feature, because it will free up some screen space (the keyboard screen size is smaller, and thus it will allow approximately 1 more row of text to show up in SMS for example). But for people who are not really used to touching tiny things on a plastic screen, or have bigger fingers, it might be easier and more precise to type with default larger row space. To install this, just overwrite the old portrait skin txt files, found in Program Files/FingerKeyb folder, with the attached txt files.

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ABOUT & CREDITS:

This keyboard was originally created and programmed by Exidler. The BlackEdition was skinned and updated by Rozenthal. First landscape layout and some additional layouts were made by Berkut_G. After the huge initial hype caused by BlackEdition (it was downloaded in total over 7,000 times), it was decided to make version 2, which you can see now!

Big thanks to people who made additional language layouts, tested the FingerKeyboard 2.0 beta, worked on new graphics, helped with ideas and advices etc. (in no special order): Berkut_G, Cerato, Schreda, Panosha, JBouRas, SBS, BadCluster, Taiseer999, Borchert, Hanackin, Iligcons, Allbercik, Ombre.px, Nvidia32, derfler, ilovepunani, elite-fusion, RoozbehDream, Giannis86, parasite81, bugsykoosh, Reefhunter49, Chompy18 (if I forgot someone, please PM me!)

Another big "thank you" goes to all of you who showed us big support here on XDA forums.

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EDITING INSTRUCTIONS:

If your language layout isn't included, or you would like to change the layout to your own taste, you can use the existing layouts to make it!

The easiest way is to open one of the layout skin txt files (for example: skin-02-wvga-land-01-eng.txt) and simply replace the existing characters with your own. Experiment a bit, and you will soon get the hang of it.

Same applies if you want to make your own skin - edit the included bitmaps, and change the appropriate lines in txt files.

You can also change the behavior of the keyboard (such as shorten the long key-press delay, or change how backspace work etc.). This will require a little bit of more effort, but it's nothing too complicated.

Everything you want to know about FingerKeyboard actions, layouts, colors and resolutions is explained in "doc-about-skin.txt" that is located in the root of the FingerKeyb folder. Read it first before asking for help!


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PROGRESS:

v2.0 - official release of updated FingerKeyboard
v1.4 to v2.0 beta - closed beta testing (link to 1.4 thread)
v1.4 - includes numeric and alternate language layout for landscape mode. Also features new vertical numeric keypad. Thanks Berkut_g!
v1.3 - updated landscape graphics and layout, fixed bugs in landscape mode, vertical mode now 100% finnished.
v1.2 - updated vertical layout, now supports limited landscape mode, new .dll and register files.
v1.1 - vertical support for 2 languages + numeric keypad, turned off sounds, new graphics, new layout
v1.0 - exidler's original version with iPhone style graphics

I posted some screenshots at the bottom. I also have not test landscape mode, because i don't use it much.

New .cab thanks to Indagroove and landscape works thanks to Briggs.





VGA limited support by Allberick
Below is a zip file with VGA layouts. It contains 3 layouts: English, Polish and numeric pad (all in portrait and landscape). Also, there's an additional 2 bmp files for BlackED and BlueED skins (spacebar images that need to be smaller in VGA).

Install FingerKeyboard2 normally, then overwrite these files to FingerKeyboard skins folder. Support for skins other then BlackEd and BlueEd is not included. This is just something for people who use VGA so they don't have to start from scratch if they're going to make their own language layouts.

VGA THREAD:
You can also check THIS thread about VGA version of FingerKeyb2, as well as some new skins.

VGA limited support by Allberick
Below is a zip file with VGA layouts. It contains 3 layouts: English, Polish and numeric pad (all in portrait and landscape). Also, there's an additional 2 bmp files for BlackED and BlueED skins (spacebar images that need to be smaller in VGA).

Install FingerKeyboard2 normally, then overwrite these files to FingerKeyboard skins folder. Support for skins other then BlackEd and BlueEd is not included. This is just something for people who use VGA so they don't have to start from scratch if they're going to make their own language layouts.

VGA THREAD:
You can also check THIS thread about VGA version of FingerKeyb2, as well as some new skins.

[PHE-NOM]

thanks for this one bro, it's nice.... loving it!

[V I P]

This is the nicest looking keyboard that I have seen

--------- New Post Merged on 20/2/2009 at 02:19:34 --------

“ Originally Posted by codydavis22 ”

This is the nicest looking keyboard that I have seen

Not working for me.....do you have to install to device or something? I installed to storage card and when I try to select the option under sip it freezes my phone

[tmor5078]

works but. really slow

[D/\SH]

“ Originally Posted by codydavis22 ”

This is the nicest looking keyboard that I have seen

--------- New Post Merged on 20/2/2009 at 02:19:34 --------



Not working for me.....do you have to install to device or something? I installed to storage card and when I try to select the option under sip it freezes my phone

yes you should install all major and important apps to the main memory of the device...... especially if they have anything to deal with the windows folder and keyboards do...

[V I P]

“ Originally Posted by D/\SH ”

yes you should install all major and important apps to the main memory of the device...... especially if they have anything to deal with the windows folder and keyboards do...

oh ok....I didn't realize that.

[D/\SH]

“ Originally Posted by codydavis22 ”

oh ok....I didn't realize that.

yup, basically on your device when it boots it will load from two areas, the main memory and the card. it will load the main memory first and than the card so basically when you use sip change it cant find anything to load thus why it will never stay as your default if you have installed on the card. if you save on the memory of the device than it will load that first thus finding the keyboard and allowing it to play nicely with sipchange.

[D/\SH]

updated the first post with new files and newest version of 2.0

[angiekay]

this keybrd doesn't seem to work for me? And where is the read me file I downloaded and saved the first two cab files. it gives me an error every time I try to select it "error loading skin", and it doesn't matter which skin I select on it, same thing?

any help appreciated.

[PHE-NOM]

“ Originally Posted by angiekay ”

this keybrd doesn't seem to work for me? And where is the read me file I downloaded and saved the first two cab files. it gives me an error every time I try to select it "error loading skin", and it doesn't matter which skin I select on it, same thing?

any help appreciated.

i think you need the VGA ones angie. the second one says QVGA. make sure you are downloading the right ones. see if that helps.

[angiekay]

ok I'll try that, but I have the touch and I thought the touch was still QVGA? will let you know. thanks alot!

[PHE-NOM]

“ Originally Posted by angiekay ”

ok I'll try that, but I have the touch and I thought the touch was still QVGA? will let you know. thanks alot!

yes you are right. i dont know why is not working for you. did you get the keyboard to work, and you are just not able to load the skin? or you can get it to work altogether?

[angiekay]

“ Originally Posted by josamu ”

yes you are right. i dont know why is not working for you. did you get the keyboard to work, and you are just not able to load the skin? or you can get it to work altogether?

NO, doesn't work at all! tried both of them, like you said, and now it's still saying "skin error: resolution for screen size not found!" I dunno, I really liked the look of this keybrd and was going to try it to see if you could manually switch to landscape (b/c the touch of course doesn't have the gsensors), I'm still using the PCM keybrd, it's the best one I've found, but really like this one, if no one else knows how to fix this, then guess I'll remove it! thanks for your help though!

[raybond25]

yeah if you've got the touch then this won't work since it's a VGA skin, that's why its saying resolution for screen size not found, it's meant for VGA

[angiekay]

“ Originally Posted by raybond25 ”

yeah if you've got the touch then this won't work since it's a VGA skin, that's why its saying resolution for screen size not found, it's meant for VGA

ok that explains it!!! was a little confusing b/c it says QVGA cab version, so alrighty then..........lol

thanks alot for clarifying that!

[raybond25]

“ Originally Posted by angiekay ”

ok that explains it!!! was a little confusing b/c it says QVGA cab version, so alrighty then..........lol

thanks alot for clarifying that!

lol actually what it says up there is WQVGA, which is different from QVGA

[D/\SH]

“ Originally Posted by josamu ”

i think you need the VGA ones angie. the second one says QVGA. make sure you are downloading the right ones. see if that helps.

no she has the touch so that is QVGA and for the instructions i really dont know since i havent installed it myself but should be basic cab file installs..... if you look at the xda thread or the ppcgeeks that are linked in that post that should give you a little better insight on how to install.

[WebbD30]

yo i just got the new htc touch pro and i wanted to know if someone can tell me exactly wich of those few downloads i should get any help is appreciated thanx...

[Superman369]

“ Originally Posted by WebbD30 ”

yo i just got the new htc touch pro and i wanted to know if someone can tell me exactly wich of those few downloads i should get any help is appreciated thanx...

The touch pro is VGA, so any apps you get must be VGA, not QVGA or WVGA.

[littledaisy]

ur device is VGA resolution so any VGA will work :)

--------- New Post Merged on 3/3/2009 at 12:40:05 --------

lol beat me to it ;) damn Supe i think those electric Supermen on ur sig are boosting ur speed lol ur on here with QUICKNESS :lol:

[D/\SH]

“ Originally Posted by littledaisy ”

ur device is VGA resolution so any VGA will work :)

--------- New Post Merged on 3/3/2009 at 12:40:05 --------

lol beat me to it ;) damn Supe i think those electric Supermen on ur sig are boosting ur speed lol ur on here with QUICKNESS :lol:

not just here, his wife is noticing the quickness also :>

[PHE-NOM]

“ Originally Posted by D/\SH ”

not just here, his wife is noticing the quickness also :>

lol, thats below the belt dash. i think you're just hating on that sweet sig of supe! lol, and for the guy with the question, you can use the first one on the list, which is an all black keyboard. it looks realllll nice.

[lordhelmet]

I'm loving this keyboard. It looks great on the T-Pro. Very functional and customizable. The original was made for the Touch HD. Would love one of those right about now! BTW, I am using the Glossy VGA Edition skin made by Giannis86 over at XDA. The link is in the post under VGA Thread.

[D/\SH]

“ Originally Posted by josamu ”

lol, thats below the belt dash. i think you're just hating on that sweet sig of supe! lol, and for the guy with the question, you can use the first one on the list, which is an all black keyboard. it looks realllll nice.

he knows im just messing with him and its all good :>