Heliboard!
this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2024
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Android
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unfortunately Futo seems to only be source-available and not libre software :/
though I can +1 the Heliboard recommendation! idk when they added it but it finally has a multilingual keyboard function :)
You can use the FUTO kwyboard free of charge for an indefinite period of time. Nothing in their source code will stop you from doing that. The people behind Futo even stress this point. But if it's software that you find value in, they ask that you purchase it for a one-time fee. It may not be Libre Software, but I don't think that's unreasonable.
that's the thing though, it strips you of the options the four essential freedoms provide.
and imo it's not rly an argument. Libre software is free as in freedom and not necessarily free as in beer. You could license it under the (A)GPL, charge for downloads in the Play store or for compiled binaries on ur website and ask for donations on F-Droid.
You could even do a freemium version where some features are locked in the binaries you distribute and need a license from ur website or smth (for those who don't want to use Google Play). (iirc SD Maid 2/SE does this)
I'm using Hacker's Keyboard, it's got all the keys where I expect them. None of the others feel right, but the fact it hasn't been updated in years does worry me. If anyone knows of a keyboard with a similar layout (separate number row, ctrl, esc, alt and cursor keys in place and the usual symbols as long press on the numbers) I'd love to try it out.
~~Simple Keyboard.~~ Just switched to Heliboard. Thanks, OP!
It doesn't have many features
I know, I just need a keyboard and nothing more.
Though I might have to try out Heliboard to know what I'm missing.
EDIT: Wow, I'm trying it out now, and it's like I have a completey different phone! I'm switching to Heliboard full-time now, thank you!
It's really a good keyboard
I use florisboard beta, missing some features but nothing I don't need.
Spell check is there, but only after you finish typing the word. (No predictive text yet)
Edit: I am trying Heliboard and so far its pretty good.
Thumb-Key for a couple years. Handing phone to a relative when they request to look something up and seeing their puzzled stare has been the best part.
Any deterrent is a good one. I don’t let others touch my tech the way Joey doesn’t share food.
I was using it some time ago. people were 💀 after seeing it
Heliboard looks promising. Will give it a try!
Currently my favourite.
I use Florisboard Beta with the FloriStyle theme (It's a Gboard theme). The only thing I really miss with it is text predictions but they're still working on that and it's not that big of a deal.
Im struggling with the lack of glide typing in 0.4.0+
I don't use glide typing, so I didn't even notice that 😅
But text prediction and glide typing are being rewritten from the ground up currently, so it'll be there eventually
Heliboard for normal communication (glide typing) and Hackers Keyboard for shell/remote desktop/programming type usage. Generally i find the keys too small and typing on a touch screen is slow and annoying, so i use a real computer to type whenever i can.
My typing accuracy is much better with gboard, but I don't use it because google...
I have never used voice to text nor voice controlled assistant etc. as I have no interest in doing that. My phone is muted 99.9% of the time, I prefer to operate in silence...
I have been using thumb-key.
I gave thumb key an honest shot for a few days but I found it cumbersome. Swiping takes too much time and effort compared to tapping, and you're better off just using a normal keyboard.
I've tried EVERYTHING. And I mean EVERY possible foss android keyboard. I don't even think its a matter of taste but just fact that heliboard works best.
Florisboard was decent for a while but at the end of the day heliboard is the correct answer
Openboard with swipe.
If it's working for you then great, but that hasn't been updated in over 2 years. For something that all my input is filtered through I'd like something better maintained.
It's not connected to the internet and doesn't send or receive any telemetry at all. It's API is very minimal as well. I fear Gboard to compromise me far more than this app. Keyboards don't need internet connection.
I generally agree, but its difficult to say what kind of vulnerabilities may lie in wait due to outdated dependencies. Heliboard seems to be the successor, also does not have network access, and is more regularly updated. Whatever satisfies your threat model though.
Just tried Heliboard, its glide typing support is experimental and requires hacking GApps to extract libraries or download someone's else glide library from the internet. I guess my threat model remains for the time being.
This chorded keyboard
Interesting, seeing penti keyboard being recommended in the wild. Are you also familiar with picolisp?
heard of it, but never used it. Works really well with termux though
Unexpected Keyboard.
Love the way how it works + modifier keys!!! (ctrl, alt, super, anything you want)
In the beginning the lack of the dictionary/autocorrection was kinda a problem (especially after Blackberry Keyboard) but now I really don't miss that.
AOSP keyboard on my regular smartphone, Traditional T9 on my daily driver CAT S22 Flip.
I like Unexpected keyboard. It's different, but works great and is highly customizable
Heliboard. Unfortunately it requires a bit too much setup to recommend to anyone who isn't tech savvy.
Futo isn't open source, so I use Heliboard with the swipe typing add-on and Sayboard for voice typing
I generally use Gboard, but for terminal sessions unexpected keyboard is great.
LineageOS stock
How do you get Heliboard to work with Futo voice?
Just download futo voice typing and install it than enable it . it will start working fine https://voiceinput.futo.org/
Thank you! Got it up and running
is there any open source Android Keyboard with a translate feature?
I never saw one
bummer