Thumb-Key is aiming to be an FOSS replacement to the now unmaintained MessageEase. Like MessageEase, it offers a 3x3 touch-and-swipe layout. Such a layout takes some time to learn, but allows to type fast and accurately, thus getting rid of the dependence on prediction/auto-correction, without which QWERTY on small touchscreens would be unusable. Some people report being able to type > 50 WPM on MessageEase and the same should be possible with Thumb-Key. It’s a young project and is still missing many features and gestures of MessageEase, but it is active and has a community here at [email protected].
I only recently switched from GBoard to MessageEase and ThumbKey, and I still around 25 WPM, but I found that I stopped making mistakes when typing out the long master password for my password manage on my phone, because this is one of the areas where auto-correct couldn’t help.
But I am still far away from reaching the speeds of swiping on a QWERTY-keyboard without word prediction. So if you don’t mind that and don’t want to spend your free time learning alternative layouts, stick to QWERTY layouts, but if you want a keyboard layout to type exactly what you want, try one of these 3x3 boards. To be honest, if you want to give it a shot, out of the two I wound probably still recommend MessageEase, as Thumb-Key is very alpha, but that might change. I have both with the same layout and switch back and forth.
That’s a really smart idea: downloaded and using it to type this comment. I’ve often thought about how radial entry is so superior for many things (see CSGO buy menu). It’s definitely a steep learning curve (as is any new input method) but I look forward to reaping the benefits!
This is cool! Typing with it right now. Have been hoping to see an innovation like this for a long time. (Maybe some proprietary products have come and gone but non-free software doesn’t exist to me unless I really can’t afford to abstain)
I only need three touches, using the MessageEase English with Symbols layout ln thumb key. That layout shows the single quote on the alpabetical “front” layer, while it is hidden behind a symbol layer in the default layout. Tou can find the layout list in the settings.
I’ve passed on it too, although now all my Shortcuts for emojis are different for some reason, on all keyboard since I installed it.
Before I would right :kiss: for 💋 emoji and :heart: for ❤️ emoji to write to my SO, and I can’t seem to have it anymore and ai can’t find what they have been replaced with, so weird
Thumb-Key is aiming to be an FOSS replacement to the now unmaintained MessageEase. Like MessageEase, it offers a 3x3 touch-and-swipe layout. Such a layout takes some time to learn, but allows to type fast and accurately, thus getting rid of the dependence on prediction/auto-correction, without which QWERTY on small touchscreens would be unusable. Some people report being able to type > 50 WPM on MessageEase and the same should be possible with Thumb-Key. It’s a young project and is still missing many features and gestures of MessageEase, but it is active and has a community here at [email protected].
I only recently switched from GBoard to MessageEase and ThumbKey, and I still around 25 WPM, but I found that I stopped making mistakes when typing out the long master password for my password manage on my phone, because this is one of the areas where auto-correct couldn’t help.
But I am still far away from reaching the speeds of swiping on a QWERTY-keyboard without word prediction. So if you don’t mind that and don’t want to spend your free time learning alternative layouts, stick to QWERTY layouts, but if you want a keyboard layout to type exactly what you want, try one of these 3x3 boards. To be honest, if you want to give it a shot, out of the two I wound probably still recommend MessageEase, as Thumb-Key is very alpha, but that might change. I have both with the same layout and switch back and forth.
That’s a really smart idea: downloaded and using it to type this comment. I’ve often thought about how radial entry is so superior for many things (see CSGO buy menu). It’s definitely a steep learning curve (as is any new input method) but I look forward to reaping the benefits!
I’m going to miss the radial menu and all my buying habit, that going to be weird soon
I test it on your post. It’s weird. But I think I can get used to it.
This is cool! Typing with it right now. Have been hoping to see an innovation like this for a long time. (Maybe some proprietary products have come and gone but non-free software doesn’t exist to me unless I really can’t afford to abstain)
Ok it’s not as step as I thought it would be. I feel like i’m entering a fighting game combo
Will definitly try it for the next few day’s althought certain point, like the fact that “I’m” takes 5 clicks
I only need three touches, using the
MessageEase English with Symbolslayout ln thumb key. That layout shows the single quote on the alpabetical “front” layer, while it is hidden behind a symbol layer in the default layout. Tou can find the layout list in the settings.I’ve passed on it too, although now all my Shortcuts for emojis are different for some reason, on all keyboard since I installed it. Before I would right :kiss: for 💋 emoji and :heart: for ❤️ emoji to write to my SO, and I can’t seem to have it anymore and ai can’t find what they have been replaced with, so weird
Thanks for the suggestion. I’m going to try it definitely.