Preferred Keyboard

[dllrogers55]

After using Swiftkey for so many years I don't even try to use any others but I have in the past.... for about 5 minutes! I love having the punctuation and numbers right on the main keyboard instead of switching back and forth FOR either one. I love all the choices of themes, sizes, etc. It just works well for me!

 

[lindajm22]

Not sure what version your are using if you need an unlock key to install the BB KVB apk. Any of the versions I have ever installed on Android never needed an unlock key.

Originally, I think it was only available to get via cobalt's manager, unless one had an actual BlackBerry Android Slab. However, later I think all the "patched" apks Cobalt was providing via his "manager app" were also directly available on his file site. I don't remember any of them requiring an unlock key to install. Maybe a password to get into his file site repository, after he was told to cease and desist. However, by then I don't think he really was patching the apks anymore because by then I think BlackBerry had the suite (except the keyboard) available from PlayStore.

If one searches hard through CB, one can still find a few rogue sites I think from where to get the last version of the BlackBerry VKB apk. It used to be easier to find from the CB threads and posts, but sometimes it's hard to find certain posts in there nowadays.

You are correct, Cobalt's BB manager never required an unlock key. But Cobalt's site is no longer active. He was forced to shut it down. And even if you have his apk file saved (like I do) it doesn't work. That CB link I posted has someone else's patched apk for just the keyboard and it requires an unlock key to download it, which is provided in the post with the link.

 

[spARTacus]

I think the apk I last got from cobalt's still worked when I last tried it. At one point, I copied from Android tablet to Android tablet, and then also to phone. It was never clear to me why that other guy also did a "patching", because I think the last version was already out in the wild before that other guy provided what he did. Maybe because, as you say, it was getting harder and harder to find. I think there are still some folks on CB that will pass the version they have around if one requsts. However, you have to really search hard in CB.

 

[YankInDaSouth]

Tried using Samsung keyboard for a while and really liked a lot about it, but found myself making more mistakes then usually. Finally broke down and installed Gboard and all feels right again

 

[lindajm22]

I think the apk I last got from cobalt's still worked when I last tried it. At one point, I copied from Android tablet to Android tablet, and then also to phone. It was never clear to me why that other guy also did a "patching", because I think the last version was already out in the wild before that other guy provided what he did. Maybe because, as you say, it was getting harder and harder to find. I think there are still some folks on CB that will pass the version they have around if one requsts. However, you have to really search hard in CB.

No, what I am saying is that it doesn't work even if you have Cobalt's apk. I do have the last version of Cobalt's full BB Manager apk downloaded from my last phone. I saved it. As long as you still have it installed on your phone it will work fine. It worked while I was still on my Note 20 Ultra and then I moved over to my S22 Ultra and tried installing from the apk and it will not install anymore. It's completely gone. So the only option now for BB Manager is to pay on Google (which I actually do because I still like a couple of the apps) but the keyboard is no longer included. So this guy's BB keyboard apk is the only place I have seen to get it. He only patched the keyboard.

 

[spARTacus]

No, what I am saying is that it doesn't work even if you have Cobalt's apk. I do have the last version of Cobalt's full BB Manager apk downloaded from my last phone. I saved it. As long as you still have it installed on your phone it will work fine. It worked while I was still on my Note 20 Ultra and then I moved over to my S22 Ultra and tried installing from the apk and it will not install anymore. It's completely gone. So the only option now for BB Manager is to pay on Google (which I actually do because I still like a couple of the apps) but the keyboard is no longer included. So this guy's BB keyboard apk is the only place I have seen to get it. He only patched the keyboard.

Oh. I wasn't referring to the apk for cobalt's manager app. Just the apk for the actual BB VKB app itself.

I never had the understanding that cobalt's manager was needed to actually run the various BlackBerry apps. Rather, that it was just managing getting the apps from the Priv "enclave" of PlayStore (initially, back before BlackBerry put them on PlayStore themselves for also non-Blackberry Android).

I think if you had the BB VKB app installed and running on a non BlackBerry Android device, then the apk for it is there on that device, and you can copy that apk over to another device, without any dependency on cobalt's manager.

Once BlackBerry put their suite of apps on PlayStore for also non-Blackberry Android, cobalt basically stopped maintaining his manager. However, for a while he still also provided all the individual apks on his site, and for a while the manager could still also archive copies of the apks (including the KB), as standalone copies of apks.

At least, that was my understanding. I probably also got some of that wrong.

 

[sharkita]

Tried using Samsung keyboard for a while and really liked a lot about it, but found myself making more mistakes then usually. Finally broke down and installed Gboard and all feels right again

Me too. I really wanted to like the Samsung keyboard but I just couldn't get used to it. Gboard works much better for me.

 

[Borgie]

I like to have symbols on the same key as letters so you can do a long press. is there a keyboard where the symbols are a little bigger for these old eyes to see better?

 

[cckgz4]

I use Samsung keyboard

 

[bkdodger2]

I normally go with SwiftKey but this time I stay with the gboard..

 

[cert15z]

Gboard is the best!

 

[MikeSo]

The swipe typing on Samsung Keyboard is horrendous. After trying desperately to get it to understand my swiping, I gave up and went back to Gboard.
I use multiple languages and Gboard handles the auto switching between them so good.

 

[Dualmonitors]

may i ask if anyone has further thoughts specifically about Swiftkey versus Gboard please?

those are the two that i'm trying to learn about.

fyi: i've been a long time user of Swiftkey (maybe around 5+ years?) and am fine with it, but since reading about Gboard from these threads, i wanted to see if anyone who has used BOTH of these might have additional thoughts to share please?

thank you.