03-31-2006, 04:00 AM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 349
|
|
Wanted: Developer to Create a Wizard/Apache/Hermes-Friendly SIP
If there's one thing I don't like about the integrated slide-out keyboard of the HTC Wizard and Apache series is the fact that frequently-used keys are special characters, including the numbers 0-9. There's no Control key to make the Cut/Copy/Paste/Undo keyboard shortcuts, either. Of course, I haven't mentioned the annoying fact that most times you want to use the slide-out keyboard, the soft keyboard panel pops up and takes up nearly half the landscape screen.
What I'm proposing is a customized Soft Input Panel (SIP) for landscape mode to work as a supplement to the slide-out keyboard of the HTC Wizard, Apache, and the upcoming Hermes.
Is there anyone willing to take a swing at this and gain extreme popularity in the HTC community?  Read on!
Since the slide-out keyboard is relatively close to the landscape-oriented screen, it would be simple enough to reach the keyboard icon with your thumb to activate the SIP, as well as tapping the wide on-screen keys that usually take two or three hardware keystrokes to get.
Figure 1. A mockup screenshot of what the SIP could look like. Landscape-friendly and thin design will be much appreciated.
Figure 2. When the SHIFT key is pressed on the slide-out keyboard, you can access punctuation and symbols just like traditional keyboards.
Figure 3. When the DOT key is pressed on the slide-out keyboard, you can manipulate text and access the backslash key, which normally takes three keystrokes.
Some information (though somewhat dated) on where to get started on developing a SIP:
Pocket PC Developer's Network: The Soft Input Panel (SIP)
Pocket PC Developer's Network: Custom Sample SIP
Some of the possible technical challenges when creating this SIP:- the Keyboard SIP tends to hide itself when a hardware key is hit, so it's possible that the custom SIP will keep trying to hide.
- Detection of landscape mode. It should revert back to the normal Keyboard SIP if portrait mode is detected.
- Detection of the SHIFT and DOT states for both Wizard and Apache. You might want to look into the CapsNotify.exe on the Wizard to see how the EnableIndicator can detect the states. The Apache has no such program.
- Understanding any differences between the hardware keyboards and software drivers for the Wizard, Apache, and Hermes.
Some of the possible options or features of the SIP could include:- customizable buttons
- vertically-resizable keys
- floating SIP capability
- tapping sound effect
- "Select All" (Control+A) to highlight a line or field of text
So, I believe your work is all cut out for you. I think this would be a precious little gem of software that will resolve the annoying issue that should have been addressed by Microsoft long ago, and I for one would be willing to pay for it. Any takers? How would you make this idea better?
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 05:42 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 58
|
|
I'd be willing to pay for this as well.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 06:41 AM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 717
|
|
....or you could just get a PALM Treo650 and discover its amazing intuitive nature and the benefits of one handed operation. Sorry guys but it was hard enough to hold the 6600 in one hand, I can't even imagine what it is like to hold a Wizard in landscape mode the keyboard out - awkward comes to mind.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 07:03 AM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 14
|
|
Interesting idea... Have you looked at PQz? Obviously not as you discribed but everything is hotkey based.
__________________
Original developer on the first pocket PC, the Poqet PC.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 03:16 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 541
|
|
Agree with Poqeteer.
PQz (check the xda-developers) does much of what you want without, basically you can assign CTRL and ALT functionality to any button on Wizard/Apache/Universal and use them with standard Win shortcuts.
Also you can assign different input methodes for Landscape and Portrait modes and loads more...
The only thing you don't get with this is dedicated number row :-)
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 03:32 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,097
|
|
I'd pay and so'd everyone at work, we all use wizards
__________________
Please see www.grlt.com "Tech with a twist of lime!"
The Midlands Hybrid Club MidlandsHybrid.com
Current: Kacey's Wing, T-mo Wing Past: GCM_T, T-Mobile MDA |
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 04:06 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 26
|
|
Great Idea - here's another one (maybe)?
I'd also pay..
What I'd REALLY like is a decent T9 input SIP that you can accurately use with your thumb/finger.... I know we do get one as standard, but it's not particularly easy to use when compared to using a normal phone (e.g. Nokia); and the word list is too small to use properly.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 05:12 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 398
|
|
If someone gives me a copy of VS2005 I will!
|
| |
|
|
|
03-31-2006, 07:29 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 212
|
|
Have no clue how to make it.... but would pay for it in an instant!
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2006, 06:09 AM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 14
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by stevelam
If someone gives me a copy of VS2005 I will!
|
You need the "pro" version... If someone would pay for it, I'd be willing to chip in some of the work.
__________________
Original developer on the first pocket PC, the Poqet PC.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
