Beginning Android 2

Chapter 10

The Input Method Framework

Android 1.5 introduced the input method framework (IMF), which is commonly referred to as soft keyboards. However, the soft keyboard term is not necessarily accurate, as IMF could be used for handwriting recognition or other means of accepting text input via the screen.

This chapter describes how to use the IMF to tailor software keyboards to your application's needs.

Keyboards, Hard and Soft

Some Android devices, like the HTC Magic, do not have a hardware keyboard. Other Android devices, like the T-Mobile G1, have a hardware keyboard that is visible some of the time (when it is slid out). It is likely that in the future, there will be Android devices that always have a hardware keyboard available (such ...