Call me stupid if you want because you may already know about this neat little feature built into the default Android keyboard, but I found this totally by mistake and it’s really pretty cool. So, yes, if you’ve seen it before and it’s old news to you, then go ahead and laugh, but I’ve asked several people now and only one person has ever seen it before.
‘So what is it?’ I hear you asking. I’m always switching to numeric input to enter values and then switching back once I’m finished, but if you follow this guide, you’ll never have to switch again.
Bring up your on screen keyboard and then touch it anywhere as if you’re going to type. Instead of pressing the letter, swipe your finger up the screen until your finger is above the top row of letters. A numeric/symbol pop up keyboard should appear above your standard keys.
So if you’ve seen it before, then you’re probably saying, ‘yeah, yeah,’ but if not, well now you know.
Here’s your standard Android keyboard in all its glory:
And here’s what happens when you swipe your finger up the screen:
Enjoy your new keyboard extension courtesy of Google and the Android OS. Let us know what versions of Android you try this on. We’d love to know if it’s always been there or if it’s something new.
Do you guys know any other little secrets or Easter eggs hidden inside Google’s Android OS? Let us know in the comments below!
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This is new in Froyo.
This is new in Froyo.
Hmmm cant seem to get it on my phone. Samsung Vibrant.
Setup the Android Keyboard under Settings and then you will be able to use it.
I don’t like that I have to drag my finger to the key I want to type and then release to type the key. Would prefer to drag up and open the section, then decide which keys to press.
Winston,
Agreed, it would be nicer if you could take your finger off once it popped up and then select the key. At least the key your finger is on appears easily visible in the middle at the top.
A step in the right direction.
Hmmm cant seem to get it on my phone. Samsung Vibrant.
Setup the Android Keyboard under Settings and then you will be able to use it.
I don’t like that I have to drag my finger to the key I want to type and then release to type the key. Would prefer to drag up and open the section, then decide which keys to press.
Winston,
Agreed, it would be nicer if you could take your finger off once it popped up and then select the key. At least the key your finger is on appears easily visible in the middle at the top.
A step in the right direction.
yeah its native to 2.2 sorry for everyone else
yeah its native to 2.2 sorry for everyone else
Doesn’t work for me on CyanogenMod6 (based on Froyo) but I like the HTC_IME better still. Much rather long press than swiping up and down to get to extra keys. If they were improving the keyboard they should’ve done something closer to SwiftKeys or HTC_IME – not more swiping up and down – I’m over with having to swipe. Thank god for the new Launchers that have the dots to go from screen to screen and the drawer is a click rather than a swipe away.
Doesn’t work for me on CyanogenMod6 (based on Froyo) but I like the HTC_IME better still. Much rather long press than swiping up and down to get to extra keys. If they were improving the keyboard they should’ve done something closer to SwiftKeys or HTC_IME – not more swiping up and down – I’m over with having to swipe. Thank god for the new Launchers that have the dots to go from screen to screen and the drawer is a click rather than a swipe away.
so you want a touch screen so you can push buttons? interesting
so you want a touch screen so you can push buttons? interesting
Doesn’t work on Evo. Native Keyboard shows symbols by holding down desired letter/number.
Doesn’t work on Evo. Native Keyboard shows symbols by holding down desired letter/number.
Dont know but dont think it works on 1.6
Dont know but dont think it works on 1.6
so this is only on Froyo?
so this is only on Froyo?
So it’s sounding like this may be a Froyo addition and not available on earlier versions. That doesn’t explain why it wouldn’t be in CyanogenMOD 6.
So it’s sounding like this may be a Froyo addition and not available on earlier versions. That doesn’t explain why it wouldn’t be in CyanogenMOD 6.
it works om my CyanogenMOD 6 running on my dream, no problems
it works om my CyanogenMOD 6 running on my dream, no problems
‘Tis only on Froyo. Another nice Froyo easter egg is to hold down on the “Launcher” button on-screen, it brings up little screen previews of all your available home screens so you can select from there rather than sliding from screen to screen. Similar to Sense in that regard.
‘Tis only on Froyo. Another nice Froyo easter egg is to hold down on the “Launcher” button on-screen, it brings up little screen previews of all your available home screens so you can select from there rather than sliding from screen to screen. Similar to Sense in that regard.
It only works in certain areas (doesn’t work in the search box widget), which could explain why it works for some and not for others. Additionally you can set up in the keyboard settings which languages you want to be available and choose them by swiping the spacebar.
P.S. it does work on cyanogen 6 running on a G1
It only works in certain areas (doesn’t work in the search box widget), which could explain why it works for some and not for others. Additionally you can set up in the keyboard settings which languages you want to be available and choose them by swiping the spacebar.
P.S. it does work on cyanogen 6 running on a G1
cant seem to be in my G1 …running on CM5.0.8
cant seem to be in my G1 …running on CM5.0.8
Wow…this is actually a discovery that’s EXTREMELY worthwhile. I like that Android keyboard a LOT more now! Lol, I feel like such a dummy…
Wow…this is actually a discovery that’s EXTREMELY worthwhile. I like that Android keyboard a LOT more now! Lol, I feel like such a dummy…
WOW, Beautiful man.
Why to blame your fantastic discovery and help?!!!
I admit I didn’t figure this out, and I am one of those how they figure out everything right at the start
so don’t feel bad, feel smart; you smarty smart dudy dude…
Thanks for the tip.
WOW, Beautiful man.
Why to blame your fantastic discovery and help?!!!
I admit I didn’t figure this out, and I am one of those how they figure out everything right at the start
so don’t feel bad, feel smart; you smarty smart dudy dude…
Thanks for the tip.
[...] Via Android Spin [...]
[...] Via Android Spin [...]
Wonder if the apk can be pulled and it will work on Droid X?
Wonder if the apk can be pulled and it will work on Droid X?
Nice tip, but doesnt work on the EVO
Nice tip, but doesnt work on the EVO
[...] Via Android Spin [...]
[...] Via Android Spin [...]
This is nice for sure… but no comma? Really? After MAYBE the period, the comma is probably my most used punctuation when texting, at least more used than say hyphens, forward slashes, and colons.
This is nice for sure… but no comma? Really? After MAYBE the period, the comma is probably my most used punctuation when texting, at least more used than say hyphens, forward slashes, and colons.
No shit.
No shit.
Hi, have you had the opportunity to try out market samurai yet? I bought it and I gota admit all I use it for is the rank checker
Hi, have you had the opportunity to try out market samurai yet? I bought it and I gota admit all I use it for is the rank checker