Layout Option for Arabic Keyboard

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Currently the Arabic letter "Zhaal" is missing from the Arabic keyboard. 
And a double letter "Lam" is found (in place of "G" and an extra on "B"). 

Arabic alphabet has a basic 28 letters 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_alphabet. 
And now using 32 to 33 keys and we don't get all the letters! We enherated 
some old keybaord layouts from typewriters which are very unsuitable for a 
flexiable touch screen keyboard. And even not very suitable for a computer 
keyboard. Who will put two letters ("Lam" and "Alef" which are on "G" 
and "H")on one key (which is on "B") except on a typewriter.

Mac Arabic keyboard has a better layout than IBM PC arabic keyboard 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_keyboard. I think 28 keys and the 
shift key are enough to render all the Arabic letters and their variations 
and extra marks. We need a more flexiable layout for this 
elecronic/digital era and not one from typewriters era.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by ahmed.sh...@gmail.com on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:24

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I'll gladly do it.
But I need help: Please specify the layout you wish to have.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:28

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Can you look at issue 16, and tell me what you think

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 27 Feb 2010 at 7:42

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Hi there,

first of all just wanted to say thanks for your efforts to implement the arabic 
keyboard for the Anrdroid :-)

The problem I am having with the current layout is it's very crowded having 12 
letters in the top row is too 
much which resulting in pressing the wrong key all the time..

So I've created a proposal for new layout based on the iPhone arabic layout 
which include 10 buttons in the 
top and 2nd row and 9 in the 3rd which will give you the option to widen the 
keys a bit to make them easier to 
press.

another suggestion which not really related to the arabic layout but a general 
one is, you currently have 
additional row at the very 2 which contain only 2 buttons which I think it's 
waste of space so probably it's 
better to either remove them then add language change and numbers buttons 
beside the space bar OR 
remove the 2 buttons then add an extra row at the very top which include 
numbers and symbols (similar to  
computer keyboard) and add only language change button beside the space bar.

I've attached the proposed keyboard layout with the codes for your 
consideration.

Thanks  

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 2 Apr 2010 at 7:31

Attachments:

• AR_KEYBOARD_LAYOUT.pdf

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Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Apr 2010 at 7:27

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This image might help give better idea of what I meant..

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2010 at 1:16

Attachments:

• SoftKeyboard.png

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Thank you all very much. Implementing this will help me type with my big 
fingers. 
But we need to make sure there are no patent infringement with the press and 
hold 
feature.

Original comment by ahmed.sh...@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2010 at 3:34

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The press and hold feature is already offered in the english layout of 
SoftKeyboard so I can't see implementing 
the same feature in the arabic layout would be any problem BUT probably the 
developer would be the best 
person to answer this.

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2010 at 3:41

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There is no problem with long-press copyright/patent.
I'm thinking of releasing an external package with Arabic support, so this 
external
package may include several versions of the keyboard, and people can use 
whatever
suitable to them.

For that end, I have the current released layout, and I'm willing to add this 
one
(the one proposed in comment #5), but I need someone to create the layout XML.
Anyone willing?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 7 Apr 2010 at 7:32

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Thanks for that, can you attached the current layout XML file and I will look 
into 
updating it (not really an expert but i will give it my best) otherwise I am 
sure 
someone else can pick this up.

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 7 Apr 2010 at 10:29

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Attached

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 7 Apr 2010 at 10:34

Attachments:

• arabic_qwerty.xml

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[deleted comment]

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Not sure how successful this going to be (I have basic XML knowledge) but I've 
updated the letters location as in the proposed layout. Wasn't sure how to 
modify 
the top and bottom rows though

I hope it helps. 

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 7 Apr 2010 at 11:51

Attachments:

• arabic_qwerty.xml

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I've been using ahmed's layout and it looks good. i'll submit the proposed 
changes 
soon. we'll be using the new layout till menny releases the external packages.

Original comment by aalsanad@gmail.com on 8 Apr 2010 at 7:27

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Should both layouts be available? Or just the new one?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 8 Apr 2010 at 1:23

• Changed state: Started

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Not sure about the rest of the guys but the whole point of having this 
dicussion is because the current 
layout is not practical to use so can't expect anyone would miss it?  what u 
guys think? 

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 8 Apr 2010 at 5:02

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what king of phone are u using
i am using a tmobile mytouch 3g but when i switch to arabic keyboard layout it 
only
gives me square symbols on the keyboard i can even see the the arabic letters

Original comment by SchoolSt...@gmail.com on 9 Apr 2010 at 5:15

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SchoolStMarket, That's because you don't have arabic font on your device, as 
Android doesn't support Arabic 
language as default.. you will need to root your device which will include 
install custom roms then install arabic 
fonts ... check www.ce4arab.com

Original comment by ahmed.hammadi@gmail.com on 9 Apr 2010 at 7:20

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@aalsanad, I've moved Arabic layout to a different project:
svn/trunk/LanguagePacks/Arabic

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 11 Apr 2010 at 6:17

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Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 12 Apr 2010 at 11:20

• Added labels: ForRelease, Type-Enhancement
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

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Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 16 May 2010 at 4:48

• Changed state: Verified