Chroma Keyboard for Android - it's finally happening!

Hi all! I would firstly like to apologise for the lack of any updates. My full-time job, and life, got in the way entirely. So here's the progress update you guys deserve, before I put out the next software update: Shortly after the last update went live (April), I was contacted by the Razer Mobile software team, who did in fact send me a Razer Phone 2 for development purposes. We had a good discussion about the plans for the keyboard, exclusive Razer Phone features (such as syncing the backlight), but sadly due reasons out of my control, the conversations ended. This was extremely demotivating, especially given how promising the initial conversations were with the team and the amount of effort I was putting into it. I had spent most of my evenings and weekends developing the Android version, I decided that I needed to switch my attention back to other projects and admittedly never got around to continuing development on the keyboard. You'll be pleased to know, I AM BACK BABY! I have found a new full-time job that won't stress me out constantly and will have more time to develop apps again.

ThirdTemple
I'd probability add another option in settings to change static color.

I'm still trying to work out how I want to display the colour customisation.

Updated now and reporting new bugs during testing, - issue while typing in emails at login for example [email]john123@gmail.com[/email], after typing john when i type numericals it removes the entire alphabets. - In static colors, blue color does not come up suggestion: - adding a dictionary/word suggestion will be awesome Phone used for testing, One Plus 6T (Android 10) Thanks

ThirdTemple
Excellent update. Numbers are not pulling offscreen to the right. Love Chroma color picker. Nice work. "!" results in "/" "_" results in "%" Choosing suggested word automatically places cursor on next line (in an email app).

Issue with numbers pulling away from screen is fixed as @ThirdTemple said

Would that support multilanguage keyboard? I am using Razer Phone 2 and usually, I would us Chinese typing. Is the app only support English keyboard?

GameGH0ST
But can you swipe tho.

Swipe won't be in the initial release, but may come at a later date depending on how popular it is. It's a difficult gesture to get right, especially for one developer.

njbmartin
It's currently in closed beta, but yes there will be a general release as soon as I've finished some of the important features.

I tried to be sneaky and check your GitHub repository. No luck.

I have a razer phone 1 and I can help test and also you could look at the open source keyboard Anysoftkeboard to maybe base your keyboard on https://anysoftkeyboard.github.io

Rox598
It's been public beta for like a week lol https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.ultrabox.chroma.keyboard

Thanks Rox. I had it earlier in the week - saw it on Reddit. I left a list of bugs.

Cries in iOS. :(

Rox598
It's available on iOS also

Oh yeah. Had the free filter on so it didnt show. Its available for $1, might just try it. Thanks for the info.

4) no settings button anywhere on keyboard or next to three non-working icons, 5) ability to adjust speed of chroma wave/pulse.

njbmartin
That's definitely coming! Configuration and customisation for sure. Yes, Gboard is (was) definitely my favourite on both platforms.

Any updates coming? Keyboard is not usable in it's current state and we haven't had any updates in a month: keyboard sounds can't be disabled no number row or click to hold to get 2nd row buttons keys missing like _ Theme keys at the top of the screen take up space and currently do nothing Keyboard looks cool to turn on and to show people but that's all it's good for, still using gboard :(

wow, kudos to you man. I remember when you released this on apple and I got it straight away!

ThirdTemple
I guess you're still working on the spelling service which randomly disconnects?

Yes, that one has bugged the hell out of me!

It looks dead... Sadly.

Damn also rocking that Nexus 5 Mockup. Funnily enough I still use my Nexus 5 :D

njbmartin
Razer has not approached me to make it exclusive, so until then expect it to be for all devices. It's currently being tested on a Razer Phone 1, and a few of the testers are on Razer Phone 2. I just wish Razer could send me a Razer Phone 2 so I can truly maximise the performance.

Give this man a RP2 already!

ThirdTemple
Sorry I said you were unresponsive. I had no idea you were working with Razer and then communication went silent. I could understand if you got burnt out on the project and decided to take an extended break. Dear Razer, Please resume communication with this developer to help him develop exclusive Razer Phone features (such as syncing the backlight). Your customers want this. Thanks

Don't worry, I was pretty much unresponsive as I tuned out of most things Razer. At the time, I didn't want to share that I was speaking to Razer as I thought that would be a nice surprise.

njbmartin
I've been working on a pretty big update, so it is going to be released by the end of the month! It's no longer RP exclusive, but you can download it now and help iron out some of the issues: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/io.ultrabox.chroma.keyboard (android)

Registered as tester and bought the app, downloading now. Thanks @njbmartin

ThirdTemple
a) numbers still pull to the right off screen b) pressing exclamation results in '/' symbol c) how do we change static color. Its red and stays that way.

In addition; the _ symbol returns a % symbol for me.

JR0nin
Hi @njbmartin i got the update on my One Plus 6T (Android 10) for the Chroma keyboard, looks like the keyboard is a little off to the right side with some keys partially hidden. Plus the settings to change the colors etc, does not come up.

@njbmartin Also the key inputs keep going to the next line (without hitting the enter key) and unintended space and caps lock comes in as well, this happened while i was testing in gmail and the sms/whatsapp ap. Do let me know if you want anything else to be specifically tested for the Android phones( non-RP phones). Thanks.

ThirdTemple
Can confirm everything he said using AquaMail. Unfortunately, this keyboard is difficult to use with email applications.

@njbmartin Another issue i just saw on the Android 10 phone (One plus 6T used for testing) is while typing username/password for logins, the keyboard goes haywire. For instance, if email is [email]xyz@gmail.com[/email] then after typing "xyz" while putting the "@" it goes back to the start of the email and need to type again. It goes in a loop.

I just ordered the RP2 and waiting for delivery. I the meantime, I was checking the forums out and now I'm considering trying this keyboard on my LG V20 until the phone comes in. The only thing holding me back is the lack of swiping to type. I know you said that can be hard to implement in an earlier post, but have you looked into it more? If that gets added and is decently accurate (or at least actively refined as needed), I'll get this in a heartbeat. If you do plan to add it, I would also suggest using a gesture to capitalize letters, similar to how Swype lets you swipe above the keyboard to capitalize. It may sound trivial, but that one feature is what has me still on the original Swype keyboard even though it's been officially killed and I'm having to maintain a backup of the apk when time to swap phones.

magictim
Would that support multilanguage keyboard? I am using Razer Phone 2 and usually, I would us Chinese typing. Is the app only support English keyboard?

As of now, there's only English language on the keyboard. Confirmed during the testing phase. If new languages are to be added in the future or in pipeline can only be confirmed by NJBMartin.