HTC puts their Sense keyboard up on Google Play, update now available
Google did it. Motorola did it. Heck, even Sony started doing it. The latest trend in Android seems to be the decoupling of many system apps offered by OEMs in their specific flavors of Android. By putting apps like the stock keyboard or launchers on Google Play, manufacturers finally have the ability to update their apps without issuing a full system update, something those of in Android circles will tell you, can take a very long time (depending on the OEM and/or carrier). By circumventing this process, OEMs can continually make their phones better by giving users access to new latest features outside of major firmware releases. Best. Idea. Ever.
Today, HTC has silently added their Sense keyboard to the Google Play Store. Listed as HTC Sense Input, the keyboard is only made available to the HTC One M7, HTC One M8, and HTC Desire series handsets, although we expect availability to open up as newer devices are released. Updated just today, the keyboard adds a few new features and fixes. Here’s the changelog:
1. Support Google extract view in landscape mode.
2. Add the prompt when adding none word into personal dictionary.
3. Show .ru/.ro/.nl on Russian/Romanian/Dutch URL keyboard.
4. Enable Handwriting manual submit mode.
5. Fix Zhuyin “ㄦ” cannot be typed issue.
To update, simply visit the Google Play Store on your HTC One or Desire device and you’ll find it waiting for you. With Android’s vast amount of solid keyboards in the Play Store, we’re not sure how many of you are still using the one that came with your phone. In any case, this is still good for the soccer mom’s that never figured out how to change their Language and Input settings.