Homebrew virtual keyboard hits the Pre

John Chan | Aug 31, 2009

Now you can type in landscape mode.
(Credit: Screenshot by Daren Darrow/CNET)

The first version of Android that shipped with the HTC Dream did not come with a virtual keyboard. This meant that you needed to slide out the QWERTY keypad each time text input was needed. This is the same with Palm's webOS on its Pre.

Currently, users have no choice but to slide out its portrait-oriented keyboard to enter text, which can be especially annoying when using the browser in landscape mode. Well, homebrew app creators aren't settling for that. The people from webOS Internals have created an onscreen keyboard so you can get around the problem. Once installed, calling it up requires just a double-tap of the gesture area. You will then be able to type in most text entry areas without having to use the physical keypad. Apparently, it isn't perfect but still better than having none at all. Instructions on how to do this are posted at PreCentral.

The Palm Pre is available only in a CDMA version from operator Sprint in the US. A GSM version has been announced in Europe but not for Asia. Perhaps when it does arrive, Palm will have included a soft keyboard by default. What this little hack does show is the presence of an enthusiastic group of developers for the platform, which is good news for any mobile operating system.

Via CNET Crave

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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