29
Jul
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Thumb Keyboard Gets Updated To Version 4.5 Bringing Continuous Voice Recognition, One-Handed Keyboard, And More

Posted by in Applications, News

Thumb Keyboard, one of the most intuitive, well-designed, and practical keyboards available (especially for tablet users) got a big update recently, bringing the app up to version 4.5.

Perhaps the biggest benefit to the new update is that Thumb Keyboard now supports ICS' continuous voice recognition, which in case you've forgotten, is the feature introduced with Ice Cream Sandwich that actively listens and dictates your speech. This is a feature I haven't seen in other alternative keyboards, and it's definitely nice to have. Other big additions include gesture support as well as a new one-handed layout for phones with larger displays.

Screenshot_2012-07-29-17-04-50 Screenshot_2012-07-29-17-05-39 Screenshot_2012-07-29-17-06-18

Other enhancements come in the form of an improved 7" tablet layout, a redesigned settings menu, and several bug fixes for specific devices. Here's the full list of changes:

  • new: Continuous Voice Recognition for Android 4.x
  • Improved layouts for 7 inch tablets (eg Nexus 7)
  • new: One hand (thumb) operation keyboard
  • new: Gesture support
  • new: Delete word before cursor
  • Redesign of settings menu
  • Backspace bug in Samsung email app fixed
  • fixed FC on Xoom JB update
  • Other bug fixes and general maintenance

Whether you're already an avid Thumb Keyboard user, or just want a fantastic alternative to Android's stock keyboard, just hit the widget below.

Thumb Keyboard

Download Thumb Keyboard from Google Play
QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beansoft.keyboardplus
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Liam Spradlin
Besides being an avid Android fan and blogger, Liam is a photographer with a degree in both Anthropology and Sociology. He can usually be found reading through blogs, taking photos, or studying ancient pottery. Liam has been known to leave on international trips at a moment's notice, and can't resist a new challenge.

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  • Lekz

    Any word on when this will the update be out on the Amazon Appstore?

    • Cerfer

      I know! We get the updates so much later--I wish I had purchased it from the Play Store. All I want is for the custom keys to work in the number keyboard--I've been waiting for a year for this bug fix.

    • Daniel Wiggins

      ughhhh, POR QUE!!!! lol, but really, amazon needs to update this now.

  • Tim Kermode

    Whoa if thumb keyboard can add the voice dictation when is SwiftKey getting it!

    • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

      Good question - I've been waiting for dictation mode in SK ever since ICS came out, wasn't even sure if it's possible.

  • Alex1x

    I'm a bit confused, how do you use "continuous" voice? I see the mic icon, I click, speak and voice transformed into text. I've used this feature on all keyboards including SwiftKey... What change exactly should I be looking for in this department?

    • http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

      Continuous mode is basically the dictation mode that came in ICS with the stock keyboard. Here's what it looks like with this new Thumb Keyboard update: http://i.imgur.com/n9MdZ.png

      SwiftKey and other keyboards use the old input method which is pretty much one-shot and has the effect of, say, saving a post in Gmail as draft because the input activity takes over. Here's what that looks like: http://i.imgur.com/65fqo.png

  • IP IHI II IL

    I wanna get sushi tonight...