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View Full Version : Blimkeys -- Free Thumbable SIP


Janak Parekh
10-22-2004, 05:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/blimkeys.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.freewareppc.com/utilitie.../blimkeys.shtml</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Blimkeys is a standard Software Input Panel (SIP) for PocketPC 2002 and WindowsMobile 2003 based PDAs. With Blimkeys, you can input text to any application on your PDA like write SMS on a regular cellphone. This method is quite fast, and you can use it one hand."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041022-Blimkeys.gif" /><br /><br />It's free, so if you've been looking for a one-handed typing solution, you might want to check it out. I'm not quite sure it's for me, though; I'm so addicted by Fitaly I'd much rather go through the extra effort of freeing my other hand and using the stylus with it. If you want more details, the developer's webpage on the product is <a href="http://sala.sallala.hu/pda/blimkeys/blimkeys_en.html">here</a>.

Paul P
10-22-2004, 05:45 PM
It took like 18 seconds to input 'Hello World!'? hmmm :wink:

Darius Wey
10-22-2004, 05:47 PM
It took like 18 seconds to input 'Hello World!'? hmmm :wink:

Bear in mind that the SIP is in development, and the author has plans for future releases that incorporate predictive text input and word completion technologies.

It would be a lot faster than 18 seconds once that is implemented. ;)

gibson042
10-22-2004, 05:52 PM
It looks pretty weak right now, but if the author's plans for predictive text input and word completion come out as a user-adaptive T9 then I'd definitely look into giving the product a whirl.

Darius Wey
10-22-2004, 06:00 PM
This post is just to update on the progress of Blimkeys.

The author recently released this bit of information about impending releases of the project:

I am on the right way, to modify the program to allow many user customisation. Finaly I made a test program, which can draw the keyboard from predefinied settings, not from bitmaps. I will place the code to Blimkeys source, and after it you can adjust the following things via a simple txt file:

numbers of boards (boards: I mean a page for small letters, a page for capital letters, a page for numbers, a page for user definied keys etc)
colors
the height of each board
the cols of each board
the rows of each board
the letters, signs or function keys on the keys
board switch keys present or not on each board

So you will be define your custom layout. Your language's special characters, the size of the board etc. And the keyboard will comform to the sreen width.

So this may help those users who have trouble inputting with the pre-defined squares.

bradgigalo
10-22-2004, 06:33 PM
this could be the dumbest thing I have ever seen for pocket pc.

Why would you want to type that way?

I was just here thinking inputing text on my phone is so much fun I sure wish I use the same slow time consuming method on my PDA.

DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!

Darius Wey
10-22-2004, 06:44 PM
this could be the dumbest thing I have ever seen for pocket pc.

Why would you want to type that way?

I was just here thinking inputing text on my phone is so much fun I sure wish I use the same slow time consuming method on my PDA.

DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!

To some maybe...however to others, this may be the greatest thing alive! (Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration there :P). Anyway, the point is, there are some people out there who have abnormally quick fingers, and as such, can tap-type at breakneck speeds. I know someone who inputs text on their mobile faster than they can type on their computer. Weird, yet wonderful! ;)

Gerard
10-22-2004, 06:52 PM
Could some kind soul point out the English download location? I've been all through the 5 pages of developers forum discussion on Blimkeys, and looked elsewhere on the site, but the links to Hungarian, Swedish, and other non-English files are all I can see.

Blue Zero
10-22-2004, 07:03 PM
I think this is pointless (or close to) on a PDA

snayar
10-22-2004, 07:07 PM
Please bear in mind that this tool works best on a Pocket PC Phone Edition, where SMS messaging is integrated and now I can send SMSs using just one hand!!! :wink:

It's not for writing long letters or memos, it's for SMS (Short Messaging Service) so it's not so DUMB after all right? :roll:

Paul P
10-22-2004, 07:14 PM
I don't quite see this being comfortable to use on the screen. Finger tapping just doesn't register that well on my h6315. I also don't think the screen will hold up too well under the barrage of finger tapping. At any rate, definitely look forward to future updates to the program.

Yorch
10-22-2004, 07:22 PM
for that I use SPB Full Screen Keyboard, which works like a charm!

snayar
10-22-2004, 07:54 PM
Please remember, the whole idea is single handed operation!

SPB Full Screen Keyboard works best with two hand operation...

It's a nice idea, but improvements are welcome...

BTW, it has predictive text... when I use it I see the same 3 word suggestion as in the normal keyboard SIP!

Pinnacle
10-22-2004, 08:35 PM
Actually, this is the type of program that will make my 6315 much more usable. I like this a lot, and if it will progress from this stage all the better. This is perfect for a PPC Phone Edition.

I'm very good at t9, and having to always use two hands for input put a strain on my use of the 6315 as my full-time phone. I hope it continues to be free, but I'd pay for future, more feature-rich, versions. Good job!

Mark Johnson
10-22-2004, 10:43 PM
Please remember, the whole idea is single handed operation!


I'm ready to applaud ANY effort to improve one-handed PPC use. The "standard usage scenarios" that Microsoft put in place all seem to require two-handed/stylus use.

I for one dislike touching (smudging) the screen, but this idea is still worth developing. We definately need something, that's for sure.

I'd be interested in seeing something like the Conduits implementation of QuickWriting/Jot (based on a stylus combined touch/drag) only using the touchpad on a hx4705. Using your thumb NOT to simply type/tap a grid, but a COMBINED tap-and-drag in different directions/patterns to signal different letters. One-handed typing without screen smudges.

That said, I still say "way to go Blimkeys!" Thinking outside the box is almost always good.

OSUKid7
10-23-2004, 12:17 AM
This would be ok if it had a T9-type input (that's what I thought it was initially), but the tap method? Way too long to be convenient. No way am I using this SIP.

pepemosca
10-23-2004, 01:04 AM
This would be ok if it had a T9-type input (that's what I thought it was initially), but the tap method? Way too long to be convenient. No way am I using this SIP.

Is there any T9 input method program for PPC?

OSUKid7
10-23-2004, 01:13 AM
Is there any T9 input method program for PPC?Not that I know of...that would really be nice though (especially for PPCPE devices).

pepemosca
10-23-2004, 01:17 AM
Not that I know of...that would really be nice though (especially for PPCPE devices).

Yup, really cool.

Pinnacle
10-23-2004, 03:14 AM
Yep, I thought this was t9 to begin with as well. Wrong. Anyway, I'm still OK with Multitap for idividual letters. It's better than nothing for quick SMS replies when you only have one hand with your PPC Phone.

I love my PPC; I just can't stand alwayshaving to take out my stylus for everything.

bnycastro
10-23-2004, 05:41 AM
where can we get the english version? The forum has the hungarian, german, and swedish versions??? can we get the english version? I really want to try it out :)

Darius Wey
10-23-2004, 06:07 AM
http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/blimkeys.shtml

Download the zip file from here. Despite what it says, there is English support. 8)

bnycastro
10-23-2004, 06:29 AM
http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/blimkeys.shtml

Download the zip file from here. Despite what it says, there is English support. 8)

Thanks DJ Apod :)

Darius Wey
10-23-2004, 06:44 AM
Thanks DJ Apod

You're welcome! :)

I'd be interested in seeing something like the Conduits implementation of QuickWriting/Jot (based on a stylus combined touch/drag) only using the touchpad on a hx4705. Using your thumb NOT to simply type/tap a grid, but a COMBINED tap-and-drag in different directions/patterns to signal different letters. One-handed typing without screen smudges.

While I can't promise you won't get screen smudges, there is a drag-input method that hasn't been mentioned, and you probably wouldn't know about it unless you explore the options of the SIP. You can stroke from the left to the right for a "space", the other way for a "backspace", a big stroke from the left to the right for a "hyphen", and a stroke from the top to the bottom for an "enter". :)

Gerard
10-23-2004, 09:59 AM
Thanks from me as well. I'm using it to write this... It's plainly going to take some time to learn. Writing these words took about 5 minutes! Fun though.

Mike Wagstaff
10-23-2004, 12:15 PM
I'm sensing that quite a few posts here are from people who don't send a lot of text messages... ;)

This seems like a superb idea to me because there are occasions, especially with Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, where you don't want to have use two hands, e.g. on the bus, train, tube, etc. If you've ever tried the London-Croydon commute during rush hour, you'll know full well that you need a hand free to hang on for dear life.

Without T9, however, it could be rather painful - so let's hope that the author continues his great work! :)

soda97
10-23-2004, 02:13 PM
hey do you guys know if this or any other similar sip that support windows
it could be helpful for tablet and handtop user

soda

Pat Logsdon
10-23-2004, 05:10 PM
Without T9, however, it could be rather painful - so let's hope that the author continues his great work! :)
I highly doubt we'll see T9. Unfortunately, using the technology requires paying a licensing fee to Tegic. From the list of licensees, (http://www.tegic.com/licensees.html) my guess is that it ain't cheap. :cry:

bucho
10-23-2004, 07:05 PM
This is one of the most useful software apps I have installed on my 6315! I've been looking for one-handed input software for several months now - there is none out there!

I can see why people think this would be useless on a regular PDA... but it is extremely useful on a Phone Edition device for SMS or short email replies.

The only alternative is to use a thumb keyboard (i hate the one included with the 6315) or buy a phone with integrated thumb keyboard (like Treo), but I don't like those phones. I would much rather have a software solution for input like this, so I have the freedom to pick any phone I like.

This works great on the 6315 and it's free! I highly recommend it. There is still room for lots of improvements and T9 would be huge addition, but it's still pretty good without those.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai
10-24-2004, 07:09 AM
I think there are enough people here vouching for this program that it would be hard to argue it just being a 'dumb' idea.

I'm with Janak, I'm a hooked FITALY user, but I can certainly see the merits behind this program. As others have pointed out, its the only one-handed SIP that I know of.

snayar
10-25-2004, 06:03 PM
Without T9, however, it could be rather painful - so let's hope that the author continues his great work! :)
I highly doubt we'll see T9. Unfortunately, using the technology requires paying a licensing fee to Tegic. From the list of licensees, (http://www.tegic.com/licensees.html) my guess is that it ain't cheap. :cry:

The closest I've seen to T9 is a SIP called TENGO (http://www.tengo.net)which works wonderfully, the only gripe is that you have to use the stylus, if only the developer can let us change the input panel to use bigger buttons will be great for one handed thumb operation.

It basically works just like T9 in that there is only 6 (SIX!) buttons where each button groups a set of letters and as you type you will get several word suggestions and it also learns new words.

And I think the people that says that this is a dumb idea is because they don't have a Pocket PC Phone Edition and do not understand the need for one hand operation for SMS just like a normal mobile.

Darius Wey
10-25-2004, 06:13 PM
The closest I've seen to T9 is a SIP called TENGO which works wonderfully, the only gripe is that you have to use the stylus, if only the developer can let us change the input panel to use bigger buttons will be great for one handed thumb operation.

It basically works just like T9 in that there is only 6 (SIX!) buttons where each button groups a set of letters and as you type you will get several word suggestions and it also learns new words.

And I think the people that says that this is a dumb idea is because they don't have a Pocket PC Phone Edition and do not understand the need for one hand operation for SMS just like a normal mobile.

I had a scout around on the forums with which this developer resides in. My main interest was to see whether T9 would feature in the product. This is what he had to say:

As a user post on pocketpcthoughts T9 system is under a license. Anybody know, where can we see the full description of the patent? Only the brand name: T9 is protected, or the whole idea? It's an important thing. I only found that: http://www.tegic.com/licensees.html
If the predictive text input is under a patent, I'am not allowed to make it and distribute it. I am thinking about the program. Let the program's final version with predictive input free or donationware, or let it sell on pocketgear? I use many free programs on my PDA, and on my desktop PC so I don't dislike to give it free to the computer user's community. But on the other hand, it should be a great thing to me, to sell the program and make an income while I am a student. Anyway, if the predictive text input is under a strict license, maybe it's impossible to make it. As you see Tegic's partners, they are big companies, the license cost can be very big...

I am waiting for suggestions, ideas, everything that helps the project.

So in my opinion, I think it's a no-go. However, I think I could make do with the originally planned predictive text input and word completion features for the time being.

Darius Wey
12-02-2004, 08:17 AM
UPDATED: BlimKeys 1.1.0.1 (http://sala.sallala.hu/download.php?file=pda/blimkeys/blimkeys_1.1.0.1.zip) :)