DialKeys Gen 2: On-screen Keyboard for UMPCs
No doubt one of the best parts of getting a new handheld device is investigating all the software tools that can be added to make the usage as good as it can be. I have shared some of the utilities that I have found to work well with the Viliv S5 I am enjoying, and today I get to share another.
You may remember the DialKeys on-screen keyboard utility from the original Origami UMPC days. DialKeys was preinstalled on “official” Origami devices; in fact, it was the only way to get the program. Today I got to thinking about DialKeys and wondered if it was still available, so off I went on the web and found it.
DialKeys is a keyboard originally written for 7-inch UMPCs with touchscreens and had a unique semi-circular form, with the QWERTY keyboard split into the two bottom corners of the screen. Typing was a simple tapping process, and it worked surprisingly well. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Gen 2 DialKeys can still do that but so much more. It comes with a number of keyboard skins of all sizes and functions, and they have packed a ton of utility into the program.
There are many window manipulation functions built right into the keyboard, making it easy to control them right from the keyboard. There are scrolling capabilities built into the keyboard, too, and the coolest thing is how you can enter numbers from the alpha keyboard by sliding across the top row and stopping on the number you want. Very well done, and I am not even scratching the surface of capabilities of the program with the short time I’ve been using it.
The circular corner keyboards are still there, but there are many other skins available, too. There are regular on-screen keyboards for those who prefer a traditional QWERTY, and there are special utility skins that put a full suite of system utilities at your fingertips. There is a 21-day free trial available to see how you like it, but if you’re like me you may end up buying it after just a few hours. The program is a little expensive, at $24.95, but I found it so useful I laid down the money for the unlocked version.
Note that most of the keyboards work just fine in either landscape or portrait orientation. Here are some screen shots I took of DialKeys running on the little screen of the S5:
Regular Aero skin
Collapsed to lower left corner
White skin
Command/ Tool options for special functions
Regular QWERTY
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Lol, I’m sure it was just for the screenshots, but I really think it’s a bit odd that you have a cartoon version of a photograph of yourself as your desktop background. Please tell me that was just for the screenshots?
Makes for a good watermark, no?
Arizona relaxes:-)
BTW, is it true that a 7 inch Viliv is on it’s way. The 5″ screen is the only thing stopping me from buying this unit
Yes.
so this keyboard thing works on the viliv s5?
All screenshots were taken on the S5.
the 7″ viliv thats coming out, is that the s7 or the x70 or a brand new model?
X70
Hi James,
Just a couple questions.
1. Do you like DialKeys more than the UBoard softkey solution? If you had to pick one…
2. Do you know any more on the X70? It seems to have 3G and a mic AND an SD slot, which are features that a lot of people want. Worth waiting for, in your opinion?
Thanks!
It’s too early to say if I prefer DialKeys over uBoard, both have their strengths. I do like how DialKeys has a lot of non-typing functionality built-in which I have only just begun to play with.
The X70 is a different beast with the 7-inch screen. It depends on what is important to you. If ultra-portability is important then the smaller device is the way to go, otherwise the X70 is very nice. I will most likely have an evaluation unit when they are available later this year.
I have problem installing the DailKeys 2 in my viliv s5 running Chinese Windows XP SP3……