8pen keyboard

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haakuturi

241 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#71378 9-Nov-2010 18:39

Just discovered this gem and have installed. Anybody else using it? I'm loving the use of this keyboard, but I can't figure out how to write words like "I'm" in a simple manner. At the moment I have to type an I, then delete the auto-space and then type an apostrophe, then delete the auto-space and type an m.

It's a little thing, but given that I don't text in txt-speak it's a frustrating thing!!

*edit*: Here's the 8pen website: http://www.the8pen.com/

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959 posts

Ultimate Geek

#402370 9-Nov-2010 21:49

Saw it on the market the other day - looks like kind of a steep learning curve? Do you think it would be faster than a Swype type keyboard?

Samsung Note20 Ultra, on 2degrees

jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#402375 9-Nov-2010 21:55

Yeah that looks pretty hard to leanr, how long did it take you to get quick at it?

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#402398 9-Nov-2010 22:38

it is an excellent app actually. increase productivity by 25% and the way how it works is magical. love it 200%

androidmnz

178 posts

Master Geek

#402457 10-Nov-2010 07:51

Wow, now that's a different approach to typing. I'll give it a go, but I'm not sure how effective it will be. We'll see.

I use SwiftKey and find it lightning quick and seriously scary around its prediction capabilities.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#402487 10-Nov-2010 08:50

So do you have memorise where the letters are located on the X setup? Sounds very tricky...could I do it at 2 in the morning after a few beers?

I am almost ready to buy the full version of SlideIT having used it for a month or so. I liked it very much and was impressed that it automatically knew double letters and apostrophies etc, without any extra gestures as with Swype [Apparently] Although sometimes when I manually type and unknown word [Slang etc] it would auto change it to the nearest known word and I would sometimes not notice. But a quick proof read and then adding the unknown word to the dictionary sorts that out in the long run.

Might try the Swift one first

DLS

aim

247 posts

Master Geek

#402662 10-Nov-2010 11:10

I should use swiftkey or similar, but I just don't like the layout of their keyboards :P

I also don't lik paying for keyboards as I need longer than a day to decide whether I like it

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#402669 10-Nov-2010 11:13

aim: I should use swiftkey or similar, but I just don't like the layout of their keyboards :P

I also don't lik paying for keyboards as I need longer than a day to decide whether I like it

If you try SlideIT you can get a demo that last for about a month.

DLS

Equinox IT

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Plasmadog

40 posts

Geek

#402940 10-Nov-2010 16:22

I really like the basic idea of 8pen, but the implementation seems flawed to me. All the visual feedback it gives you tends to be obscured by your finger. Maybe that's not a big deal once you have completely memorized the layout, but on the other hand, why bother giving feedback if it can't be seen?

At the very least, the current character should be displayed at the top of the keypad rather than on the cross. But what I'd really like to see is a version with two copies of the cross, side by side. Even in portrait mode there should be enough room for that. You could then gesture on whichever one is most comfortable for you, but the visual feedback would be displayed on both copies. That seems like a much more usable interface.

haakuturi

241 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#402952 10-Nov-2010 16:44

Plasmadog that's an awesome idea. I've actually uninstalled & refunded 8pen because my finger is in the way and I can't see what letter I'm about to type.

I'm actually faster on the stock HTC keyboard than I am on 8pen (even taking into consideration that I had the keyboard for less than a day).

grudge

266 posts

Ultimate Geek

#403256 11-Nov-2010 09:42

I like this idea and i picked it up pretty fast too so I know where most letters are now. I reckon once I memorize all the letters placement it will be very fast. the automatic space when you lift your finger is kind of annoying though imo.

Dingbatt

6754 posts

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#403515 11-Nov-2010 17:19

I don't have swype, but I rank the keyboards I have installed as follows;

SlideIT
Graffiti
IME Mod (voice)
8pen
Vlingo

SlideIT is the fastest. Graffiti is great in sunlight or when I don't have my glasses on(hard to see ordinary keyboard).

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

dckiwi

48 posts

Geek

#403893 12-Nov-2010 14:09

haakuturi: Plasmadog that's an awesome idea. I've actually uninstalled & refunded 8pen because my finger is in the way and I can't see what letter I'm about to type.

I'm actually faster on the stock HTC keyboard than I am on 8pen (even taking into consideration that I had the keyboard for less than a day).

It's now free, and there are two crosses (one above). I'm using it, getting better slowly.... I can see the potential though.

lokhor

2858 posts

Uber Geek

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#403901 12-Nov-2010 14:36

I find Swype a lot easier to use.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#404238 13-Nov-2010 14:51

Why would they make a keyboard that is so ridiculously hard to use? I am trying to do the tutorial and all I can type is the A and a full stop. I can't seem to select any other character except the first one on on each arm of the X

Dingbatt

6754 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#404251 13-Nov-2010 15:38

Using 8pen to write this. Doesn't seem that difficult, just not as fast as others. But I'm sure that would come with practice

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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