Arabic Keyboard

[GoogleCodeExporter]

hi,

I would like to help with the Arabic keyboard.
how can I help? 

have basic java knowledge and know Engliash and Arabic.

Thank you.
Jisri

Original issue reported on code.google.com by mji...@gmail.com on 30 May 2009 at 4:57

• Blocking: #257

[GoogleCodeExporter]

You can check here and have Mennyed redfine some things not in here.

http://www.shsh.com/main_android_k12.htm
Discussions from here:
http://www.mail-archive.com/android-beginners@googlegroups.com/msg07226.html

Cheers,
Anousak

Original comment by anou...@gmail.com on 30 May 2009 at 10:45

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi,
I need you to provide the followings:
1) a mapping between keyboard keys and Arabic characters:
Q=&#????;
W=&#????;
E=&#????;
R=&#????;
T=&#????;
....
I need it in CNR codes. You can use
"http://rishida.net/scripts/uniview/conversion.php" for help.
2) As I recall, there are no special SHIFT characters for Arabic, right?
3) A small 32x32 PNG file to be an icon. Something like:
http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/source/browse/trunk/project/res/drawable/e
n.png

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 30 May 2009 at 6:55

• Changed state: Started
• Added labels: Type-Enhancement
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Are you still interested in Arabic Keyboard?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 6:23

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Sorry for the delay, was busy with work.
yes still intrested.

1- I wil post the ncr codes in the next comment.
2- there are spceial shift chars for Arabic but can we keep it simple now then 
update later?
3-will post the mage in 15 min.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 8:59

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Sure.
There is no rush, I just wanted to know if this issue is still active.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 9:05

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 9:05

• Added labels: Priority-High
• Removed labels: Priority-Medium

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Decimal NCRs are below: 

q= ض
w= ص
e=ث 
r=ق  
t=ف  
y=غ  
u=ع  
i=ه  
o=خ  
p=ح  
[=ج  
]د  

a=ش  
s=س  
d=ي  
f=ب  
g=ل  
h=ا  
j=ت  
k=ن  
l=م  
;=ك  
'=ط  
\=\  

\=\  
z=ئ  
x=ء  
c=ؤ  
v=ر  
b=لا  
n=ى  
m=ة  
,=و  
.=ز  
/=ظ  

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 9:12

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I'll start working on that.
Please also provide a small icon for the keyboard. Something like:
http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/source/browse/trunk/project/res/drawable/e
n.png

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 9:14

[GoogleCodeExporter]

icon attached.
thanks

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 9:30

Attachments:

• ar.png

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Please try the attached version.
You'll need to enable the arabic keyboard in the Settings page: from the Home 
screen,
press "Menu" select Settings->Locale&text->Any Soft Keyboard
Enable that, and inside the "Any Soft Keyboard settings" enable "Arabic" 
(scroll down).
To switch between languages, swipe your finger over the soft keyboard to the 
right,
or press the long "ABC" key at the top of the soft-keyboard.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 10:43

Attachments:

• AnySoftKeyboard-arabic.apk

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thank you.
in order for me to try it on a real android device I got to wait until tomorow 
night.
will post the results as soon as I run it.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 10:48

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Do you have Arabic fonts for the device? Or will it come preloaded with Arabic 
fonts?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 11:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

it is a new device. It wont come preloaded with Arabic fonts.
I will try to load fonts.
any tips or need to know info?

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 11:10

[GoogleCodeExporter]

This is a wiki on how to do it for Hebrew fonts.
http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/wiki/InstallHebrewFonts
My guess is that if you get the Arabic fonts, you'll be able to use the same 
sequence
described in the wiki for change to Arabic.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Jun 2009 at 11:12

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi, are you still interested in creating an Arabic keyboard?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 15 Jun 2009 at 7:22

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi, sorry about the delay I should have answered earlier.
I was studying android devolopment during the last week and 
now I have a  bigger picture about android and applications which raised a 
question 
in my mind.
Do you think all of your softkeyboard users should root their devices?
why do not you use font assets in your application? 
I am very sure you will have 100 times users base since not all users can root 
thier 
phones (I can but it might affect the warranty).
mybe there are complications I am not aware of but I am trying to advice and 
get a 
better widely used product (softkeyboard).

note: check in android market for arabickeyboard - the guy did it without 
rooting.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 15 Jun 2009 at 7:50

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I'll look into arabickeyboard.

The keyboard application does not require rooted device - it is only needed if 
you
want to replace the fonts in your device. In that case, you MUST have a rooted
device, since you need to over-write a system file.

Does you device come preloaded with Arabic fonts? If so, you do not need to 
root it
in order to use my keyboard.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 11:14

[GoogleCodeExporter]

hi,
my device as most of the android devices does not come preloaded with Arabic or 
Hebrew.

If you can copy the font file to your project's fonts folder and set the 
typeface 
then I think things should be ok.
example: 
        mFace2 = Typeface.createFromAsset(getBaseContext().getAssets(),
                "fonts/FontName.ttf");                            

if you use it this way then users do not have to root and things will be much 
easier 
by just downloading and installing the softkeybaord.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 4:54

[GoogleCodeExporter]

That's interesting, have you tried it?
It seems that this will only handle the fonts of the keyboard, and will not 
change
the font of the hosting application (i.e., SMS Messaging)

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 5:30

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Yes I tried it and it works. (specialy for output display)
I am devoloping an application to display arabic qoutes.

There is another class needed for arabic letters reshaping but that is another 
issue,
Please try it with another language like hebrew or russian. It should work then 
your 
app will be universal.
By the way why softleyboard is not listed in android market?

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 5:42

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Can you send me a sample of how you tested it? If it is good for me, I'll use 
it.

About the Market - adding to the Market costs 25$. I've opened donations page 
for it,
so I add it to the Market once I get enough funds.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 6:17

[GoogleCodeExporter]

[deleted comment]

[GoogleCodeExporter]

the code below should display an arabic word if you have a unicode font file in 
your 
fonts folder (under project assets)

package hello.example.com;

import android.app.Activity;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class Hekma extends Activity {

    private Typeface mFace2;
    /** Called when the activity is first created. */
    @Override
    public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        TextView tv = new TextView(this);     

        mFace2 = Typeface.createFromAsset(getBaseContext().getAssets(),
                "fonts/FontFileName.ttf");                            

        tv.setTextSize(32);
        tv.setTypeface(mFace2);

        tv.setText("سلام");
        setContentView(tv); 
    }  

I wonder why google charging $25 for free code?
that will discourge lots of free code devolopers.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 6:36

[GoogleCodeExporter]

If I'll use this code, it will only change the font of the Keyboard. It will 
not do
anything to the hosting application.. Right?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 16 Jun 2009 at 6:46

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi,
Are you still interested in helping create this keyboard?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 7:54

[GoogleCodeExporter]

sure, if there is no need to root the device in order to change the unicode 
fonts.
did you try to place the fonts in the fonts/assets folder?

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 9:20

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I could only show Arabic fonts on my application, I could not change the fonts 
on the
hosting application (e.g., the SMS application).

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 9:40

[GoogleCodeExporter]

give me sometime to research it.
I heard google will have more unicode support in coming next release.
you can lower the priority of this issue if you wish.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 9:52

[GoogleCodeExporter]

No. I want to make Arabic support, even if it means only with root.
Do you know anyone with a rooted device and Arabic fonts?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 10:14

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I will check and ask around.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 10:17

[GoogleCodeExporter]

OK.
About the mapping you've sent in comment #7, this is the correct mapping?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 10:20

[GoogleCodeExporter]

yes it is the correct one.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 28 Jun 2009 at 10:22

[GoogleCodeExporter]

A new version is available for testing.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 11 Sep 2009 at 8:08

Attachments:

• AnySoftKeyboard.apk

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thank you.
downloaded and tested without changing my font. 
seems to be working.
I will root the device, change the font and confirm all.

is it possible to use icons or pictures for the letters?

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 12 Sep 2009 at 7:24

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thanks for testing.

Yes, it is possible to use icons instead - but you need to provide them to me.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 12 Sep 2009 at 10:50

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thank you. 
sorry for the delay, My htc dream took double the time to be rooted due to 
special 
SPL version but I finaly managed to do it.
The keyboard looks great. all Letters are matching and I think you can go ahead 
and 
publish it despite the fact android OS still needs an Arabic reshaper to 
connect the 
middle letters togther but this is a long story and I hope they will do 
somthing 
about it in the next release.
Thanks for your efforts and thanks for letting me help.
Best Regards, 
Jisri

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 14 Sep 2009 at 1:16

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Good.
I also support Localization. Would you like to help me translate the 
application to
Arabic?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 14 Sep 2009 at 6:08

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi,

I used you keyboard and other Arabic keyboard

I like how to shift between English and Arabic without changing the whole 
Keyboard, 
but I faced some issues:

1- It's hard to press letter (Arabic) because it is in small rectangle.
2- If you wrote TXT in Arabic, letters become disconnected like عربي become 
ع ر ب ي, 
while in Arabic soft it not.
3- Same 2, after sent TXT it letters become disconnected while it not in Arabic 
keyboard.

http://x2android.blogspot.com/2009/07/arabs-eat-cupcake-too.html

I would suggest to change the letter to icon in the keyboard if it applicable.

Last thing, I was Java programmer but last code I wrote it was in my graduation 
project at 2000!

But if you need help in translation maybe I can help you.

Regards 

Original comment by hishamn@gmail.com on 28 Sep 2009 at 12:11

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi,
I would really like to get help with the Arabic support.
I saw in the link you've sent, that Arabic Soft Keyboard have less letters in 
the 
keyboard than mine have. And instead, that keyboard uses "double tap" for the 
missing 
characters. Is that true? I can do the same.
Regarding the icons, it sounds like a good idea, would you like to provide me 
with 
them?

About the connected letters, I need to check with Android's SDK regarding this 
issue.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 28 Sep 2009 at 12:53

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Yes true, he used tab because in arabic some letter has multi use like ا same 
as أ 
and إ etc.

The good thing in yours its look like PC keyboard.

For translation, give me any English text and I will translate it to Arabic.

Finally about icons could you please tell me what is the best dimensions for 
them? 
or you can change the font to be look like Arabic keyboard letters.

I think it's Arial font.

Regards

Original comment by hishamn@gmail.com on 28 Sep 2009 at 1:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

You can download the latest strings file from here:
http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/source/browse/trunk/project/res/values/str
ings.xml
Translate it (and save it as UTF8), and send it back here (as attachment).

The "ا same as أ and إ etc." statement seems like these letters are variants.
How about showing them not on the main layout, but instead as a pop-up? Long 
press
"ا" will show a pop-up with "أ and إ".

The icons should be the same dimensions as the smiley icon
(http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/source/browse/trunk/project/res/drawable/
sym_keyboard_smiley.png)

Thanks.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 29 Sep 2009 at 2:14

[GoogleCodeExporter]

guys, the keyboard is missing the "alf" variants as mentioned, but more 
importantly.
it does not include an important letter "th" ذ which is different than د 
which is
included in this keyboard.
am i  missing something too obvious? i tried double clicking some letters, 
holding on
some others, but couldn't find it.

Thank you

Original comment by alal...@gmail.com on 25 Jan 2010 at 8:16

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thanks Alali48.

Dear Mennyed,

Kindly add the letter "th" 
NCR code: 

`=` 

Thanks.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 25 Jan 2010 at 4:15

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Where should it be added in the layout? In which row? At what position?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 10:34

[GoogleCodeExporter]

`=`
it is the "`" character.
usualy it is bfore the numbers on the keyboard on the top raw.
with shift it is "~"

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 2:01

[GoogleCodeExporter]

OK.
So the changes will be:
1) `/~ to the top row
2) ا will have long-press أ and إ
3) and what about ذ ? Should this be included? And where?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 2:46

[GoogleCodeExporter]

1-  `/~ to the top row is the letter ذ  (`=`)

2) ا will have long-press أ and إ  (h=ا)

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 2:51

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I don't understand the first one. What do you mean "` is the letter ذ"?
you mean I should put "ذ" at the top row instead of the `?

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 2:58

[GoogleCodeExporter]

you might have a diffrent keyboard but the character ` is the letter  "ذ" in 
arabic. 
the "`" is on top raw before the number "1" on my keyboard.

Original comment by mji...@gmail.com on 31 Jan 2010 at 3:01

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Please try the latest:
http://softkeyboard.googlecode.com/files/anysoftkeyboard_20100203.apk

It is not completed, the ذ character is missing.
I do not know where to put it. So please, look at the keyboard, and tell me 
what to do.

Original comment by menn...@gmail.com on 3 Feb 2010 at 1:05