"Best Of" PCM Keyboard skin / layout

[2manyphones]

I though I would start a new thread as my previous thread had a lot of great ideas that have lead to this new version.
Please read the other thread for background on this skin and other versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

This layout and skin were developed from many other skins and layouts I have come across or created. Primarily it is based on the iPhone look, but uses similar buttons to the RescoPro keyboard.

You can see all the layout features (pop ups) from the screen shots. I tried to put commonly used characters or key combinations to pop up from the comma, space and period keys.

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

[Moe5508]

Looks cool. I like it. Thanks for your work!

[gianmarco00]

Agreed. Looks great.

[romualdrichard]

Nice, I like it.
As I am French, I put my layout... French with many symbols...

[dzelaya18]

Nice! The best iPhone-like keyboard I've seen yet...been waiting for a while to find something like this. Thanks a bunch man! :)

[cincy1020]

I though I would start a new thread as my previous thread had a lot of great ideas that have lead to this new version.
Please read the other thread for background on this skin and other versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

This layout and skin were developed from many other skins and layouts I have come across or created. Primarily it is based on the iPhone look, but uses similar buttons to the RescoPro keyboard.

You can see all the layout features (pop ups) from the screen shots. I tried to put commonly used characters or key combinations to pop up from the comma, space and period keys.

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

Hi:
Looks amazing!
Any chance for a black version?
Thanks!

[digifreak]

Awsome.
Do you think, it would be possible to add a "ctrl" button?
(like in ctrl.c...)

[xvicx]

nice! this is the best touch keyboard that feels good. thanks. Now i have to find a way how2 make a french canadien layout

[dioxda2]

I though ...... layout and skin for the layout to function.

Really thanks so much for your sharing...... :D:D

[SCtud]

wow. this is awesome. i was about to give up on the crappy keyboards built in here..

any way to build in a period being inputted when you hit space twice like the iphone?

[mike19722]

:)Thank you so much for the work you do......I love the layout

Peace
mike

[2manyphones]

wow. this is awesome. i was about to give up on the crappy keyboards built in here..

any way to build in a period being inputted when you hit space twice like the iphone?

Thanks. Glad you like it.

There is a dedicated period key or if you press and hold the space key you will get a period and a space. I find both of these faster than my iPhone.

[mack]

Thanks. Glad you like it.

There is a dedicated period key or if you press and hold the space key you will get a period and a space. I find both of these faster than my iPhone.

hey i just installed it on my touch. the keyboard looks and feels awesome. however i dont get the period when i hold on to the space key nor do i get the most commonly used symbols when i hold the comma key. what am i doing wrong?

[Ragart]

You have to make sure you set the keyboard skin AND skin for the hold keys to work.

Great skin -- been my most used for a while now. Very easy to hit and it looks great!

[littld]

This is very, very good. I like using this a lot.

I tried out the iphone the other day in a shop and had a go with the keyboard. There was no trouble hitting the keys but the screen was very hard. I like the "give" on the wm phones. I think this keyboard (esp for the screen size) is actually a bit better than the one on the iPhone.

Well done!

[dlipetz]

hey i just installed it on my touch. the keyboard looks and feels awesome. however i dont get the period when i hold on to the space key nor do i get the most commonly used symbols when i hold the comma key. what am i doing wrong?

Didn't work for me either until after a soft reset...

[2manyphones]

You always want to select the skin then change the layout. Even if you end up changing the layout to another one and then back to the one you had selected. A soft reset works to. :D

[dlipetz]

This is outstanding work and has made my new HTC Touch Cruise much more enjoyable and efficient to use. Thank you very much!

Can you recommend a good finger friendly task switcher? I'd like to be able to swap between apps with the push of one button. The HTC task switcher requires you to go to the Today screen first and is not finger friendly. I also installed Task Manager. While a great application, it doesn't serve well as just a task switcher. Ideas?

[2manyphones]

This is outstanding work and has made my new HTC Touch Cruise much more enjoyable and efficient to use. Thank you very much!

Can you recommend a good finger friendly task switcher? I'd like to be able to swap between apps with the push of one button. The HTC task switcher requires you to go to the Today screen first and is not finger friendly. I also installed Task Manager. While a great application, it doesn't serve well as just a task switcher. Ideas?

You may want to try the HTC enlarged start menu. While not designed as task switcher, if you press the start key it gives you icons for the last five applications you have launched (or have open).

[jjpp647]

Hi Romuald

yr Fr2many keyboard should be better if you put back the coma key (,) on the left of the space key

[dlipetz]

You may want to try the HTC enlarged start menu. While not designed as task switcher, if you press the start key it gives you icons for the last five applications you have launched (or have open).

Thanks. The bar at the top of the Start Menu only seems to show last applications when they are launched from the Programs menu. For me, it will not show Windows Live or Internet Explorer for example when they are launched from the HTC Today plug-in or Start menu respectively.

[SCtud]

ahh. stupid me.. got to use the skin too!!! the spacebar and comma tricks are awesome.. thanks so much!

[mr_yellow]

This skin looks pretty good. The layout has lots of little tricks and shortcuts. Some of it reminds me of my skin I posted ;)..

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364667

anyways, I think I might adopt the hold and capitalize shortcut. which would get rid of the shift key which I always accidentally hit.


Thanks!

[2manyphones]

This skin looks pretty good. The layout has lots of little tricks and shortcuts. Some of it reminds me of my skin I posted ;)..

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364667

anyways, I think I might adopt the hold and capitalize shortcut. which would get rid of the shift key which I always accidentally hit.


Thanks!

Glad you like it. Yes I did like some of the settings in your layout and adopted them into this skin and layout - i.e. the name "Best of" :) I liked the point you made in your post about focusing so much on the look of the keyboard rather than the layout functionality.

[alamask]

I own a Mogul and PCM keyboard is reset to default Keyboard after 3,4 times resetting. Anybody get the same problem?

[tomme45i]

Nice skin I like it! As I always write in landscape mode, skin have small problems in that mode. Can you correct it please?

[JueLue]

Hello!

This realy is the perfect keyboard for me!

I changed it a little, as I am from Germany...

Changes are:

I added letter_associations=eéèê,iî,aäà,oöô,uüù,cç,sß,AÄ,O Ö,UÜ
so for excample "Tür" will be found when you type "tur".

I changed place of "z" and "y", replaced "." with "," and "$" with "€" in the numeric pad.

I replaced the ".com" with ".de".

When pressing a, o, u or s for a longer time, ä, ö, ü or ß will pop up and can be selected.

In the .zip you also find the german.dic I use.

Hope it will be usefull for someone...

JueLue

[anywhereanytime]

2manyphones,

I had been using your iPhone 12 skin and somehow came across this one ... which is even MORE AWESOME !!

It is by far the BEST I have ever seen.

There should be a sticky for this skin so that everyone can see it and use it.

I also second the other member who said what about a black version - or even a darker gray would be awesome and perhaps easier to do with the existing artwork - if you get around to it some day.

Keep up the outstanding work !!

[nikjensie]

Would it be possible to get a Swedish layout?

Best Regards,
Nik

[Neozzz]

I also second the other member who said what about a black version - or even a darker gray would be awesome and perhaps easier to do with the existing artwork - if you get around to it some day.

Keep up the outstanding work !!

Yeah, that would be awesome. I know how to edit a skin, just transfer the .skin file to your PC, then rename the .skin file to a .zip file.
Extract the file and edit all the .png files in Photoshop.

Normally I could change the color using the function Hue / Saturation, but that option is not working, maybe some Photoshop expert could help us out and make a nice black theme ?

Thanks Already

edit: Changed the skin a bit, if people are interested I can upload the new skin, see picture

[AllTheWay]

Wow this is very very nice just wish I had the "?" key

[2manyphones]

Wow this is very very nice just wish I had the "?" key

If you have the layout file selected correctly, when you press and hold the space bar you will see two options for the ? key. The big one is one ?, the small one is the ? with a space. See the screen shots in post one to see what it should look like.

[Matvey V.]

2manyphones,

Very impressive, refined version of the original iPhone-style PCM keyboard idea, I thought. Congratulations indeed.

Could you possibly create a version with, say, light-brown buttons and a background of a somewhat darker brown tone?

I myself am not familiar with the theme-generating process and would probably end up being to thick to do it anyways. If it's to tiresome, no prob.

But I'd still be grateful if you did ;)

[FourWheelDrift]

Quick PCM Keyboard help please. I've posted on the official website but have had no response.

I installed the Keyboard to my storage card on my HTC P3600 and it worked fine I then tried to install the alternative theme posted on here but couldn't find the PCM Settings section, (Ok I didn't check the site on how to start the settings, do now) so thinking it might be a device/storage card installation problem uninstalled the keyboard and reinstalled to the device. The PCM keyboard is still visible as an option but no longer works. I get it on my keyboard menu but when I choose it I still have the default HTC keyboard. Resorting back to a storage card installation doesn't work either.

I uninstalled and removed the folder what Regedit settings need to be removed as well.

Thanks

[joebaggg]

anyone know if they can make the keys a little smaller for this skin? i dont have a clue how too... i dont like when it takes so much of the screen up. awsome keyboard tho!

[2manyphones]

anyone know if they can make the keys a little smaller for this skin? i dont have a clue how too... i dont like when it takes so much of the screen up. awsome keyboard tho!

The keys are graphic files that need to be changed to make the skin smaller. I would look around for other skins, as there are plenty that are smaller.

[joebaggg]

actually i had to delete this app... it had a memory leak for me and dmolished my phone to the point it whouldnt even turn on without it asking to restore default settings... guess it didnt agree with my other apps or sometihing

[Matvey V.]

2manyphones,
R-right...you could've at least said "no sorry, man, can't help ya out".

Whatever, man.

[hotdog53]

Wow this is very very nice just wish I had the "?" key


Tap the 123 button to get ? and/or !

[2manyphones]

Tap the 123 button to get ? and/or !

I'm not sure how you are getting that look :confused:. I would make sure you download the skin and layout files from post 1 and make sure both are selected in the settings of the keyboard. Restart your device and see if you get the desired look - as the screen shots look on post 1.

[deedee]

Quick PCM Keyboard help please. I've posted on the official website but have had no response.

I installed the Keyboard to my storage card on my HTC P3600 and it worked fine I then tried to install the alternative theme posted on here but couldn't find the PCM Settings section, (Ok I didn't check the site on how to start the settings, do now) so thinking it might be a device/storage card installation problem uninstalled the keyboard and reinstalled to the device. The PCM keyboard is still visible as an option but no longer works. I get it on my keyboard menu but when I choose it I still have the default HTC keyboard. Resorting back to a storage card installation doesn't work either.

I uninstalled and removed the folder what Regedit settings need to be removed as well.

Thanks
Known issue with Trinity's, aka HTC P3600s, they sseem to have issues with alternate keyboards, best suggestion is to pick a new one immediately after a soft reset.

[FourWheelDrift]

Thanks, I'll give it a go.



I think I might end up doing a hard reset starting again and reinstalling everything I have as well.

[pure_energy1]

I love this skin.... I use it above any other keyboard app out there.

One question tho, I can't seem to find the _ (underscore)... where is it?

[bootheresa]

I love this skin.... I use it above any other keyboard app out there.

One question tho, I can't seem to find the _ (underscore)... where is it?

Along with this where can the < and > be found? This is the best layout I've seen and I have tried them all. Nice work 2manyphones. Thanks, BOO

[2manyphones]

Along with this where can the < and > be found? This is the best layout I've seen and I have tried them all. Nice work 2manyphones. Thanks, BOO

I didn't put in the < > in this layout. You can try this thayout that I created in my last thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1990164&postcount=131

The _ key is accessed by pressing and holding the - key on the symbol page - see the screen shots on post 1.

Thanks for your comments! Glad you like the skin. :D

[pure_energy1]

The _ key is accessed by pressing and holding the - key on the symbol page - see the screen shots on post 1.

Thanks for your comments! Glad you like the skin. :D

Wow, cool. My bad. lol...

To say that I like this skin is an understatement, I LOVE this skin. :)

[saturnine]

2many, this is a beautiful skin. I've already fallen in love w/PCM keyboard & learned how easy it is to customize the layout, but I was still wishing the keys were a bit larger & didn't want to take the time to learn to skin.

I changed a few of your layouts, but for the most part yours were more thorough & thought out than mine.

Thank you!

[hotdog53]

I love this skin.... I use it above any other keyboard app out there.

One question tho, I can't seem to find the _ (underscore)... where is it?

In case you haven't figured this out yet, the underscore _ key is found by tapping the 123 box, next to the asterisk(*) at rhe top, & the > < is found by tapping the 123 box, and then by tapping the arrow up key to the left of z, and you'll see the >< to the right of the arrow up key.

[LycanNyc]

iPhone skin ftw

[coney718]

I'm using the PCM with the black iphone skin. I love the skin but I cannot find the ( ) keys. Its not under symbols. I need those to make my smileys :-)

[2manyphones]

I'm using the PCM with the black iphone skin. I love the skin but I cannot find the ( ) keys. Its not under symbols. I need those to make my smileys :-)

If you are using the layout from post #1, it is on the pop up from the comma key. See the screenshots.

[jomo25]

So, I'm not going to claim I made any major improvements on the attached. As a matter of fact, the skin files are unmodified in any way. I use the color one now, and used the plain one before. Both were developed by the good community of people here. I know the plain one was one of the original ones that spawned this thread by TooManyPhones himself. So, I appreciate their efforts.

The Layout file is my slightly modified version. Again, I didn't apply rocket science to it, but I did tweak the positions of some things and moved some of the items around.

You can use this layout as it is with either of these skins attached. But, I'm posting it mostly to give some ideas to others on how to tune the layout for their specific tastes. So, some of the simple tweaks I made:

Tweak 1: I changed the "pop up" number order to put 0 first. Since I use Google Maps alot. And I have GPS. "0" in Gmaps always return the screen to your current position. So, I search, find something, but then want to return to my position. having to touch and hold number, then slide all the way to the right is kinda hard one handed, esp if your screen is not flush like the Touch models. This way, the touch/hold defaults to 0, much easier if I'm doing something else like operating a vehicle, though of course i never would try this in real life.

Tweak 2: I re-ordered the "." symbol popups to suit my taste. I put the ones I use most closer to the default position. E.g -, ?, !, _ are all closer as I use them more.

Tweak 3: I put dedicated parentheses buttons on the symbol page. And then I put popups for all my smileys. And i positioned them so the most common smileys :) and :( are the default ones for ) and ( respectively. Plus, I even grouped them as "joyous" to "bothered" accordingly. Makes them easy to find and not have to remem which are where. Happy ones are with ) and bothered ones are with (

Tweak 4: Made the default popup for the IE icon to be .com. and switched the orders of others again to optimize/minimize finger travel.

Tweak 5: And this one could be considered unsafe, but, I put my IDs as popups under the space bar. Cuz I got tired of having to key in my ID and PW in sites. This makes it so much easier. You could even do you PWs, but then do at your own risk. You can see it in the file and modify is you want to do this.

Anyways, again, I'm just building off the great start provided to me by 2Many...But thought I'd give some ideas on how to improve it even further for your own personal tastes.

All you have to do is modify the .layout file with Notepad and copy it to your PCMKeyboard directory.

[hotdog53]

So, I'm not going to claim I made any major improvements on the attached. As a matter of fact, the skin files are unmodified in any way. I use the color one now, and used the plain one before. Both were developed by the good community of people here. I know the plain one was one of the original ones that spawned this thread by TooManyPhones himself. So, I appreciate their efforts.

The Layout file is my slightly modified version. Again, I didn't apply rocket science to it, but I did tweak the positions of some things and moved some of the items around.

You can use this layout as it is with either of these skins attached. But, I'm posting it mostly to give some ideas to others on how to tune the layout for their specific tastes. So, some of the simple tweaks I made:

Tweak 1: I changed the "pop up" number order to put 0 first. Since I use Google Maps alot. And I have GPS. "0" in Gmaps always return the screen to your current position. So, I search, find something, but then want to return to my position. having to touch and hold number, then slide all the way to the right is kinda hard one handed, esp if your screen is not flush like the Touch models. This way, the touch/hold defaults to 0, much easier if I'm doing something else like operating a vehicle, though of course i never would try this in real life.

Tweak 2: I re-ordered the "." symbol popups to suit my taste. I put the ones I use most closer to the default position. E.g -, ?, !, _ are all closer as I use them more.

Tweak 3: I put dedicated parentheses buttons on the symbol page. And then I put popups for all my smileys. And i positioned them so the most common smileys :) and :( are the default ones for ) and ( respectively. Plus, I even grouped them as "joyous" to "bothered" accordingly. Makes them easy to find and not have to remem which are where. Happy ones are with ) and bothered ones are with (

Tweak 4: Made the default popup for the IE icon to be .com. and switched the orders of others again to optimize/minimize finger travel.

Tweak 5: And this one could be considered unsafe, but, I put my IDs as popups under the space bar. Cuz I got tired of having to key in my ID and PW in sites. This makes it so much easier. You could even do you PWs, but then do at your own risk. You can see it in the file and modify is you want to do this.

Anyways, again, I'm just building off the great start provided to me by 2Many...But thought I'd give some ideas on how to improve it even further for your own personal tastes.

All you have to do is modify the .layout file with Notepad and copy it to your PCMKeyboard directory.

PCM is my default with the 2many skin and layout. Great skin!!!

[djkamii]

I have a HTC Tytn. The phone wont allow me access to the pcm keyboard options under the input. I get this message when i hi the options button "POCKETCM keyboard has to be the current SIP in order to configure it."
Please help???

[coney718]

If you are using the layout from post #1, it is on the pop up from the comma key. See the screenshots.

im using this layout
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1718149&postcount=26

I pressed and held almost every button and did not see () in anything

[hotdog53]

I have a HTC Tytn. The phone wont allow me access to the pcm keyboard options under the input. I get this message when i hi the options button "POCKETCM keyboard has to be the current SIP in order to configure it."
Please help???

bypass input in settings and tap on the little triangle beside the keyboard. You may have to install the sip change pgrm.

[2manyphones]

im using this layout
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1718149&postcount=26

I pressed and held almost every button and did not see () in anything

Download the layout file from post #1 and use that (select in settings) with the black skin. That will give you the same look, but with the () pop up from the comma key.

[parrot5]

This is the best keyboard that I've ever used! The original PCM Keyboard keys are too small, but it is more responsive than the TouchPal (on my Touch Enhanced anyway), while the TouchPal has more functionality. Your keyboard layout combines the best of both worlds! Thanks for your contribution to the WM6 world :)

[2manyphones]

Thanks! Glad you like the skin. Now if someone at Microsoft would just pull their head out and realize they can produce an OS with components that make WM devices easy out of the box.... ;)

jomo25, nice job on your tweaks. That is the whole point of this thread is to make the keyboard work the best for you. :D

[cferd]

Wow. This is so cool.

Hello guys.
Thank you 2manyphones for an outstanding job in helping PCM keyboard become truly great, and also thanks jomo25, I'm using your tweaks and loving it.

[hotdog53]

Download the layout file from post #1 and use that (select in settings) with the black skin. That will give you the same look, but with the () pop up from the comma key.


Do you have a yellow and or orange skin for the PCM keyboard?
English layout

[adidas4275]

this keyboard doesnt play nice with opera mobile...


it type letters with spaces between it.... really annoying.


like this " h e l l o , w h i c h m a k e s i t i m p o s s i b l e t o l o g i n t o w e b s i t e s"

[theelite]

try using the non-beta opera mobile 8, it works fine.

[freddex]

What a great job. Cheerio!

[LycanNyc]

But where's the real iPhone keyboard ???
Nobody has done that same skin + Layout yet?

[LycanNyc]

This is the real iPhone keyboard pictures taken with my TOUCH to my iPOd Touch =)

This is the skin that I want

[2manyphones]

This is the real iPhone keyboard pictures taken with my TOUCH to my iPOd Touch =)

This is the skin that I want

This is close as I have come (using graphics extracted from my iPhone ;))
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

[rippimpc]

I though I would start a new thread as my previous thread had a lot of great ideas that have lead to this new version.
Please read the other thread for background on this skin and other versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

This layout and skin were developed from many other skins and layouts I have come across or created. Primarily it is based on the iPhone look, but uses similar buttons to the RescoPro keyboard.

You can see all the layout features (pop ups) from the screen shots. I tried to put commonly used characters or key combinations to pop up from the comma, space and period keys.

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

Is this layout and skin compatible with the new PocketCM Keyboard v0.14?

[wmdunn]

Is this layout and skin compatible with the new PocketCM Keyboard v0.14?

Yes it is...works great.

[cincy1020]

I though I would start a new thread as my previous thread had a lot of great ideas that have lead to this new version.
Please read the other thread for background on this skin and other versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

This layout and skin were developed from many other skins and layouts I have come across or created. Primarily it is based on the iPhone look, but uses similar buttons to the RescoPro keyboard.

You can see all the layout features (pop ups) from the screen shots. I tried to put commonly used characters or key combinations to pop up from the comma, space and period keys.

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

Hi:
Thanks so much for the amazing skin. I am using the 2manyphones layout, with your iphone black skin, since there is no black version of this skin. I was wondering if you will be integrating the new features of version .14, such as the 2 gesture support.

Thanks again!

[WMguy]

I'm hoping auto-suggest gets fixed in V14 as the keyboard is unusable to me without that feature...:(
V13 with 2many's skins was the BEST!

[theduke81]

Hi,

Is it possible to have a keyboard like a phone ?
To be able to send sms as before ?
I found all qwerty keyboard a bit to small and using a 10 buton keyboard was quite quick ?
To know if it is possible to create on PCM keyboard or is there already another software ?

Thanks

[mugglesquop]

there is a standard keyboard that comes with Windows Mobile 5 (unsure about 6) that looks like a phone dial pad.

[theduke81]

For my device, in wm5 or wm6, I had just the normal qwerty keyboard.
Is there a way to have a phone keyboard ?

[2manyphones]

I'm hoping auto-suggest gets fixed in V14 as the keyboard is unusable to me without that feature...:(
V13 with 2many's skins was the BEST!

Thanks again :) I hope it gets fixed myself. I know tene is busy, but I agree that this problem makes the new version (14) worse than the previous (13). Too bad we can't install 13. :(

To "theduke" if I understand what you are after, you want a number pad that allows you to do multi-type SMS entry? Meaning you hit 2 key three times to get a C, twice on the 3 key to get an E. While I'm not sure why you would want to go to that, the 12 key HTC Touch keyboard does basically that. Do a search or look in the sticky for the OEM HTC files. I have not seen a PPC keyboard that specifically emulates a "phone" keyboard, however. PCM keyboard only supports one key press for one button, not including the pop up gesture options.

[mikkelnl]

Anyone else noticed that when using 2many's iphone skin+layout, the suggest-box for contacts (when you start typing a name in the 'TO' field in an email for instance) shows up partly offscreen? The top of the suggest-box appears to high / outside the top of the screen.

[theduke81]

Thanks
That is what i am looking for I have found Phonepad.cab.
It is a shame that it is not so easy to find juste that sort of keyboard :)

[Andre Koster]

As I was making a Dutch version for myself, I came up with the following idea. In Eng 2many.layout, the capitol letters are available as alternatives under the normal low caps letters. I have used that same array to add:

- letters with accents
- symbols
- shortcuts

So tap-and-hold 'e' will now show 'E ë é è ê € &', while 'n' gives 'N ñ .net .nl'. The capitol letter is still always the default, though.

Because I put the symbols where they can be expected from how they are pronounced or what they mean, and even added some redundancy, it's extremely intuitive. E.g. '&' ('ampersand' in Dutch) I put both under 'a' as well as 'e', since it means 'and' which is 'en' in Dutch. In the same line of reasoning, the '$' is both available at the letter 's' and 'd'.

Since this creates a lot of extra space, more other symbols and shortcuts could be added:
- more symbols: < > [ ] { } ^
- the main currency signs
- more domains
- more smileys

Anyway, see for yourself. I only made a Dutch version (which equals a US keyboard btw), but I think the idea can easily be integrated in the versions for other languages.

Andre

p.s. On the numerical pad, I changed the order of the number rows from phone-order to keyboard-order (so 1-2-3 is at the bottom, not at the top). For me, conceptually this is a keyboard, not a phone pad.

[caballero600]

can anyone make a layout just adding this letter Ñ (not holding N ...please...) for spanish people?? it's only one more letter than english ;)

thanks in advance!!

edited: If anyone can't do it I will use the german version before this post, it's useful.. Thanks Andre Koster!!

[caballero600]

I have made (more or less) a combination of this skin in "blues" so match my touch skin:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5331/screen09lk5.jpghttp://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7642/screen10em6.th.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen10em6.jpg)http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3328/screen11tf8.th.jpg (http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen11tf8.jpg)

[fredcatsmommy]

I've not read about the problem I keep having with PCMKeyboard- mine keeps disappearing as an alternative keyboard. It's installed to the device. After installation I use SIPChanger to pick it as the default; after a few uses and a soft-reset, the default Keyboard becomes the default and PCMKeyboard is not an option to pick. Anyone else experience this and have a solution?

[suk72]

I've not read about the problem I keep having with PCMKeyboard- mine keeps disappearing as an alternative keyboard. It's installed to the device. After installation I use SIPChanger to pick it as the default; after a few uses and a soft-reset, the default Keyboard becomes the default and PCMKeyboard is not an option to pick. Anyone else experience this and have a solution?

Are you using cleartemp or some other cleaning program?
For some reason pcm keyboard lists as a dead sip.Just uncheck it.

[volwrath]

Are you suggesting to uncheck searching the dead registry as in MemMaid

[suk72]

No just dead sip.
I dont know if memmaid removes dead sips in the registry part.

[volwrath]

I've had the same problem trying to alternate between touchpal & PocketCM as fredscatmommy, and I thought that memmaid might be the problem. It has caused me to stop using pocketcm because I cant reliably switch to it. I do not think that memmaid has a dead sip cleaner but could be wrong. I shall look through the cleaning options a little more.

[fredcatsmommy]

I've had the same problem trying to alternate between touchpal & PocketCM as fredscatmommy, and I thought that memmaid might be the problem. It has caused me to stop using pocketcm because I cant reliably switch to it. I do not think that memmaid has a dead sip cleaner but could be wrong. I shall look through the cleaning options a little more.

I use memmaid and pocket mechanic. If you find the problem, please post it. I'll do the same.

[suk72]

Maybe in the registry cleaner it has a bad install setting?
Might be what you need to look for.

[WMguy]

Well, I uninstalled PCM and won't use it again until it gets fixed. Wonder what happened to the developer? Too bad too because once I heard the time limit was no more, I was gonna donate until I discovered the auto suggest issues..:(

[aberz]

I though I would start a new thread as my previous thread had a lot of great ideas that have lead to this new version.
Please read the other thread for background on this skin and other versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349647

This layout and skin were developed from many other skins and layouts I have come across or created. Primarily it is based on the iPhone look, but uses similar buttons to the RescoPro keyboard.

You can see all the layout features (pop ups) from the screen shots. I tried to put commonly used characters or key combinations to pop up from the comma, space and period keys.

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

Well done man !

The 2nd keyboard ( numeric and symbol ) is very creative.
Beat the shit out of iphone keyboard.


I followed this instruction from All The Way and get pcm keyboard work perfectly with the newest dutty's rom on my Kaiser.
You can skip the rom part

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2103791&postcount=374

Also , go to sipchange ,select PCM keyboard.

If you want to use this skin , just copy the files inside the zip to the keyboard 0.14 folder inside program files.

Then go setting > input , select PCM keyboard > option . Keyboard layout : Eng 2many . Keyboard skin : 2many

In the end , do a soft reset just to make sure.

Hope it helps

[volwrath]

I use memmaid and pocket mechanic. If you find the problem, please post it. I'll do the same.

Ill do it.

Edit: after reading pocketcm's forum, I was able to get the keyboard to show up by disabling my today screen plugins, which includes spb mobile shell which i suspect is the culprit. I then re-enabled the plugins and it is still working...interesting.

[tcatnat]

Thanks 2manyphones. I just gouch my Sprint Touch yesterday and this has eliminated my first frustration. My only issue is the <> signs. I followed your instructions in the other post but they still do not show up when holding down the spacebar. Performed a soft reset and it looks like I have all the correct files selected.

[Andre Koster]

Thanks 2manyphones. I just gouch my Sprint Touch yesterday and this has eliminated my first frustration. My only issue is the <> signs. I followed your instructions in the other post but they still do not show up when holding down the spacebar. Performed a soft reset and it looks like I have all the correct files selected.

I included the <> symbols in my version, see my posting up here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2090914#post2090914

If you don't like my layout (it's an adapted US-keyboard), you can always copy-paste my solution.

Andre

[efi]

Hi,

I just want to say that you did an amazing job with the skin and the layout. no doubt the best keyboard skin!!! :)

Thank you and keep up the good work!

[efi]

Thanks again :) I hope it gets fixed myself. I know tene is busy, but I agree that this problem makes the new version (14) worse than the previous (13). Too bad we can't install 13. :(

To "theduke" if I understand what you are after, you want a number pad that allows you to do multi-type SMS entry? Meaning you hit 2 key three times to get a C, twice on the 3 key to get an E. While I'm not sure why you would want to go to that, the 12 key HTC Touch keyboard does basically that. Do a search or look in the sticky for the OEM HTC files. I have not seen a PPC keyboard that specifically emulates a "phone" keyboard, however. PCM keyboard only supports one key press for one button, not including the pop up gesture options.

BTW,

Is it possiable to post this skin (2many.skin) with a different color? (black or dark gray)

Thanks.

[LycanNyc]

Any new skins lately ?

[sala91]

I bet you know the skin HTC Touch for this PCM keyboard. I like the way buttons are put there. Cloud you do skin like that, only for i pone? And pls remove that thing when you press letter it provides chance to choose big letter. Thanks.

[iggy]

I have made (more or less) a combination of this skin in "blues" so match my touch skin:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5331/screen09lk5.jpghttp://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7642/screen10em6.th.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen10em6.jpg)http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3328/screen11tf8.th.jpg (http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screen11tf8.jpg)


Nice work Andre and Caballero600.

Just one issue Andre when I choose Caps the Accented letters are not available.

Edit: also is it possible to add other characters (smilieys for example) to the TAP and Hold on the Number key when in Number Keyboard, right now it just brings up numbers (seems to be redundant)

[Fla Chuck]

This is a great improvement over either the stock keyboards available on the Touch or the basic skins that come with the PCM Keyboard. I'm moving my wife to a Touch (looks like) 'cause i want to completely break with VZN & our >$180 :eek: phone bill for a couple of $30 SERO plans with Sprint. Anyway, she was grousin' about moving from a true keyboard to the dinky, crappy virtual keyboards. And the keyboard was the only thing I didn't like about moving from my 700p to my Touch. This one not only works, it ROCKS! :D And I haven't even gotten around to customizing it. Yet...

The only complaint I have with this thread is the lack of detailed directions for WM newbie idiots like myself. So, for anyone else who wants to install this and doesn't know how, here are the step-by-step instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1715797&postcount=10. Piece of cake. ;)

Great work, & THANKS!! :cool:

[open_source]

thank you for your work, i just did my first steps and it's amazing,
there's only one thing that i cannot get/fix,
if i hold the i button, î and i pop up above. My problem is that î is pre selected, allthough this would be the letter i never ever use.
the same problem occours with e, u etc.

the next thing i just don't understand is, if i hold the N button
a row of numbers occours

is it just a layout problem i can fix for myself or even a feature?

thanks

Florian

[2manyphones]

thank you for your work, i just did my first steps and it's amazing,
there's only one thing that i cannot get/fix,
if i hold the i button, î and i pop up above. My problem is that î is pre selected, allthough this would be the letter i never ever use.
the same problem occours with e, u etc.

the next thing i just don't understand is, if i hold the N button
a row of numbers occours

is it just a layout problem i can fix for myself or even a feature?

thanks

Florian

If yours is not displaying the way the screen shots look on post 1, I would go into the PCM Keyboard settings and make sure the "Eng 2many" layout is selected. Then restart the phone. If you are using one of the other layouts posted in this thread, I would PM the person who posted it to see if it is something to do with their layout.

Glad you like the look. :D

[drzchulo1010]

hey would it be possible to make a green skin?

[open_source]

hm...there was something messy with the german layout i tried,
allready pm_ed the author, yours is working excellent!
thank you very much!

[stuartforrest]

All I can say is thanks. I have been using PCM for a while on my Touch Cruise and it was making my phone acceptable as I prefer a hardware keyboard really but this is a huge improvement. I am very grateful.

[t0t0_b0y]

Any VGA skin? I'm using imate ultimate 9502 and i can't get the skin to work.

[xda-addict]

Hello, can you make an iPhone skin for Fingertouch PRO please?

It's far better then PCM and I would like to use it.

[iTouch24]

i was wondering if there was a layout which would work like a treo keyboard with a hack installed ...

with my treo i would hold a letter for example ... q then it would cycle through ... q , 1 , Q ... u could set the seconds on how fast it would cycle and u could set the way it cycled through...


instead of switching screens and tapping and holding and sliding finger...

just make each button do multiple things....

any ideas...
woudl any of the skins in the original thread work with the eng 2many layout ...?

or u have to use the one that is the zip file

If you prefer black keys with white letters, got to this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...9&postcount=26
If you like some color in your keyboard, try this version:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1&postcount=21
Layout file with ( ) that pop up from the "." key:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...3&postcount=46
HTC Touch Style Skin, with help from Kin0Kin:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...08&postcount=2

[porkythe5th]

i have a quick question, i need help.

i'm new to pocket cm keyboard and was wondering if anyone could give me instructions on how to install pocket cm, along with different keyboard skins?

i have tried but i honestly dont know what i'm doing :(

[Martinhdk]

Use GOOGLE and go to the PCM webpage....

[cincy1020]

i have a quick question, i need help.

i'm new to pocket cm keyboard and was wondering if anyone could give me instructions on how to install pocket cm, along with different keyboard skins?

i have tried but i honestly dont know what i'm doing :(

Hi:
To install a keyboard, (it should be a .cab file) you just drag and drop the .cab from your pc to your phone. Once on phone, click the file, this will install it.

To install the skins, you need to put the skin files (skin and layout files) inside of program files/pcmkeyboard.

Then you just go to settings/personal/input, and select the keyboard you want, as well as the skin (in options).

Hope this helps :)

PS: Make sure you have first opened a program which uses keyboard, and selected pcm keyboard, prior to setting the input method.

[cincy1020]

i was wondering if there was a layout which would work like a treo keyboard with a hack installed ...

with my treo i would hold a letter for example ... q then it would cycle through ... q , 1 , Q ... u could set the seconds on how fast it would cycle and u could set the way it cycled through...


instead of switching screens and tapping and holding and sliding finger...

just make each button do multiple things....


I understand your question was in regards to pcm keyboard, and unfortunately I don't know of a way to do what you are looking for. I bet someone who knows hoe to skin pcm will come along, and have a good answer for you.
But just FYI, if you have a hardware keyboard, there is a great program which will accomplish exactly what you want. It is called MagicKB, and it works very well. Again, sorry if it doesn't help you, but I thought I would mention it just in case.

[mradaml]

How would one go about modifying the .skin file?

I'd like to increase the space between the keys (closer to the iPhone) - help keep my fingers from miss-typing...

Any help would be appreciated :)

[cincy1020]

Hi:
I've been using this wonderful skin and layout for quite some time. I recently noticed, I can't seem to find the "?" key on the eng2many layout.
Am I just stupid? I have looked holing down the "." key, as well as the ",". and also in the number section of the layout. The number section (lower left), does depict "123#?" on the key, but I don't see the "?" in the actual layout.
Please help.

PS: In case you are wondering how I could use the layout for months, and not have missed the question mark, it's because I have a hardware keyboard which I use for most writing, I only use PCM keyboard for quick text messages etc, and I guess I haven't had to ask any questions til now, lol.

[2manyphones]

How would one go about modifying the .skin file?

I'd like to increase the space between the keys (closer to the iPhone) - help keep my fingers from miss-typing...

Any help would be appreciated :)

Change the .skin to .zip and uncompress. Inside is a ini file that sets the height of the keys and all the settings. When you are done compress the folder that you unzipped and change the suffix to .skin (would suggest changing the name as well).

[2manyphones]

Hi:
I've been using this wonderful skin and layout for quite some time. I recently noticed, I can't seem to find the "?" key on the eng2many layout.
Am I just stupid? I have looked holing down the "." key, as well as the ",". and also in the number section of the layout. The number section (lower left), does depict "123#?" on the key, but I don't see the "?" in the actual layout.
Please help.

PS: In case you are wondering how I could use the layout for months, and not have missed the question mark, it's because I have a hardware keyboard which I use for most writing, I only use PCM keyboard for quick text messages etc, and I guess I haven't had to ask any questions til now, lol.

There are two options for ? off the space bar. The big ? is just ?. The little ? is a ? and space. Check the screen shots in post 1.

[agentmikeyd]

i have switched from pcm to touchpal v3.5 - its is really worth checking out...

[cincy1020]

There are two options for ? off the space bar. The big ? is just ?. The little ? is a ? and space. Check the screen shots in post 1.
UGH, sorry I missed that. I'm embarassed :o
Thanks so much!

[mradaml]

Change the .skin to .zip and uncompress. Inside is a ini file that sets the height of the keys and all the settings.

Thanks for that :)
Exactly what I was looking for.

best,

[souljah777]

Thanks for your work. I didn't like the PCM Keyboard as the buttons were too small on my Wizard but with your skin & layout it's great!

Many thanks

[myshinynewtouch]

sorry for my dumb question but can anyone confirm that this works nice with sprint htc touch 6.1 rom... i have not installed the pcm keyboard until now for fear that it might cause problems with the new 6.1 ROM and i kinda like the official rom and its almost bug free experience.. i dont mind the new htc keyboard which comes with the official 6.1 ROM but looks like this keyboard is da best... and i am itching to install it... :D

[fabric0004]

Thanks for sharing

[2manyphones]

sorry for my dumb question but can anyone confirm that this works nice with sprint htc touch 6.1 rom... i have not installed the pcm keyboard until now for fear that it might cause problems with the new 6.1 ROM and i kinda like the official rom and its almost bug free experience.. i dont mind the new htc keyboard which comes with the official 6.1 ROM but looks like this keyboard is da best... and i am itching to install it... :D

I am using this keyboard on the GSM Touch with WM 6.1 and it works fine - outside of the suggestion problem. You should be fine. Besides if you decide you don't like it, just uninstall it or select the Touch OEM keyboard again.

[superrrguy]

Love this layout.

I'm using it with the dream skin and works great!

[naiertn]

how do i change skin for the keypad?? y when i dwload the PocketCM, i cant find the setting icon? where can i locate it?? mine only has all the skin and layouts..how to edit the setting??

[karikian]

VGA version yet?

[Homer314]

Hi, it is possibile to convert the skin to vga ?

[dutchman71]

VGA version yet?

I loved this skin on my old Vogue, now I could really use a VGA skin just like this one... Willing to donate...

[kunz]

Hi,

I've got a Trinity/P3600 and I'm running PCM 0.14.

I love this skin and it works perfectly in portrait mode, however, when in landscape, the RETURN, BACKSPACE, SHIFT and the ?123 key look weird?

I've attached a screenshot - hopefully someone would be able to help me fix this!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=123168&stc=1&d=1224443387

Cheers,
k

[kay7sniper]

how do you open the eng2 thing and the 2many things in an htc touch? can you dumb it down a little please

[kay7sniper]

To install this version, you need to have the latest version of PCM Keyboard (link in my other thread) and you need to select both the Eng 2many layout AND 2many skin, in the settings of PCM Keyboard. A soft reset is sometimes necessary, once you have set both layout and skin for the layout to function.

how do you select the layout and skin in the settings? i have an htc touch

[kay7sniper]

how do you get to the settings for pcm keyboard on an htc touch? it just says UserOptionsDlg info when i click the options button in the settings, input

[TheChampJT]

Hi,

I've got a Trinity/P3600 and I'm running PCM 0.14.

I love this skin and it works perfectly in portrait mode, however, when in landscape, the RETURN, BACKSPACE, SHIFT and the ?123 key look weird?

I've attached a screenshot - hopefully someone would be able to help me fix this!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=123168&stc=1&d=1224443387

Cheers,
k

That is one heck of a screenshot!!!!!

[kunz]

That is one heck of a screenshot!!!!!

LOL Sorry!

I had to zoom in to make the problem obvious!

[TheChampJT]

LOL Sorry!

I had to zoom in to make the problem obvious!

Ha ha, I just got a kick out of it, don't really know why.

Anyways, at one point I was trying to use this skin, and I think I stopped because of this. But, if I remember correctly, there was a fix for it, I think it had something to do with the other KB files. Try checking the original thread with this skin.

[kunz]

Ha ha, I just got a kick out of it, don't really know why.

Anyways, at one point I was trying to use this skin, and I think I stopped because of this. But, if I remember correctly, there was a fix for it, I think it had something to do with the other KB files. Try checking the original thread with this skin.

Thanks for the reply. I've tried looking but so far haven't been able to find the fix -- my searching skills obviously suck lol.

I'll keep looking, thanks for the heads up!