Whether for production cost or psychological reasons, no innovation was created practically from scratch. Automobiles are descendants of earlier models, monitors were created from televisions, and early airports followed the vertical layout of train stations. What we already said, the key layout we inherited from the typewriter which, in turn, was based on the needs of telegraphers.
That is why mobile devices still have a virtual keyboard with a QWERTY layout despite how uncomfortable it is to use a ten-finger scheme with two fingers. Of course, the Android and iOS voice assistants are not perfect enough to eliminate the keyboard. Hence there are people working on alternatives.
Open source keyboards for mobile devices
AnySoftKeyboard
AnySoftKeyboard It is one of the alternative keyboards for Android with more functions available. In addition to being usable with more than 30 languages, it includes predictive keyboard functions (I don't know if that's a bonus), as well as custom dictionaries and voice input.
The keyboard can be customized with multiple themes and all parts of the interface are customizable. It does not require an Internet connection and the permissions to read contacts and read and store in external storage are optional.
Available for Android
F-Droid
Google Play
CompassKeyboard
CompassKeyboard represents the on-screen keyboard in a different way. Instead of displaying the different types of posts on multiple pages, all keys are available in one. Using gestures and swipes it is possible to toggle between accented and special characters.
Since it has a higher learning curve, it takes longer to master. However, it is ideal for those who write in multiple languages with special characters.
Available for Android
This project is no longer available on Google Play.
BeHe Keyboard
This replacement for Google's virtual desktop is intended for programmers who want to have an experience as similar as possible to that of their PC keyboard. It adopts the QWERTY layout but adds the arrow keys and a page of special programmer keys with the most common characters used for creating applications.
Created using Material Design, it allows customization and has a selection of themes including a dark one.
Available for Android
open board
OpenBoard is based on the keyboard of the Android Open Source Project which is the open source base of the project and without any of the proprietary components of Google. It is the simplest of the alternatives and does not include many features besides grammar correction, use of emojis and installation of themes.
Available for Androd
Related applications
Both in the official Google applications store and in F-Droid there are applications that without being keyboards allow to expand or facilitate their use. Let's look at a couple of them.
Blue Line Console
Blue Line Console allows you to launch applications and open search engines by typing on the keyboard. You only have to type 2 or 3 characters, to see a list of the available options.
One of the following options can be entered to search for applications or commands.
- Part of the application name (for example, Blue Line Console)
- Part of the package name (for example, net.nhiroki.bluelineconsole)
- URL
- Calculation formula (for example, 2 + 3 * 5)
- One of the supported commands (for example, help)
Available for Android
WiFi Keyboard
If none of the open source keyboards for your mobile device convinces you, this application allows you to use the one for your computer. You just have to make sure that both computers are connected to the same computer and that the browser points to the web indicated by the application.
Keep in mind that you must meet the following requirements.
- Have full access to the network.
- Give permission to prevent the computer from entering sleep mode without authorization from the application.
- Authorize the team to check the identity and status of the phone.
Available for Android
F-DROID
Google Play