Source available and privacy-friendly alternative to Gboard (Google's keyboard)

https://keyboard.futo.org/

This is a very solid alternative to Google's keyboard, the only issue is that it's not European.

38 points · 20 comments · view on lemmy.world

20 Comments

jlow@discuss.tchncs.de · 31 pts · 230d (4 replies)

Futo are apparently a somewhat shady company, so do your own research and if you don't like what you find check out Heliboard, Florisboard or Fossify Keyboard (all on Fdroid) to name a few.

victorz@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 229d

This should be pinned somehow.

INeedMana@piefed.zip · 3 pts · 229d (1 reply)

Oh. It's that FUTO. I had the feeling the name rang a bell

jlow@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 228d

Yep 😿

bossito@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 229d

I read their explanation on being "source available" instead of open source, didn't sound unreasonable to me. But I'll do further research.. In the meantime one of my bank apps doesn't trust it either and refuses to open if that's the keyboard being used.

Localhorst86@feddit.org · 12 pts · 229d (1 reply)

A truly open alternative would be Heliboard:
https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard

EDIT: one possible issue with HeliBoard is that swype input relies on an external closed-source library that needs to be downloaded and installed manually.

INeedMana@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 198d

I've been using it since I read this comment. I think I like it more than AnySoftKeyboard. And they've started gathering data to create open-source swipe lib https://makertube.net/w/cQECfDkuLGR9eUQquUEo4K

INeedMana@piefed.zip · 7 pts · 230d

Interesting. I've been using AnySoftKeyboard. Gesture typing is a bit spotty but in general it's ok

Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 6 pts · 229d (3 replies)

As with other FUTO services, FUTO Keyboard is source available, not open source.

bossito@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 229d (2 replies)

Yep, I just read their explanation on that, doesn't sound unreasonable to me..

Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 229d (1 reply)

Whether their reasons are reasonable or not, it's not open source. FUTO minimizes the difference between the two, having originally sought to make their own definition of open source before qualifying it with the term 'source first' (i.e. source available).

bossito@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 229d

Just fixed the title

jaschop@awful.systems · 5 pts · 224d

The PrivaScore Project provides ratings for Keyboard Apps, and there are multiple options in the top tier.

wuphysics87@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 229d (1 reply)

I get where people are coming from with Ban American, but it seems like open source should be an exception.

erebion@news.erebion.eu · 2 pts · 229d

Sometimes.

Depending on whether free US software was made with privacy concerns in mind or not.

Kornblumenratte@feddit.org · 2 pts · 229d (3 replies)

Is it even permissible to use lemmy with any other keyboard than thumb key?

bossito@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 229d

Wow that seems cool

Joyje@feddit.nu · 1 pts · 229d

I just downloaded it for the first time and I'm currently using it to type this comment.

It will take some practice to get used to this. 😅 Thanks for the recommendation.

Cycadophyta@lemmy.cafe · 1 pts · 229d

I cant believe I've been typing on a full size keyboard all these years!

lukkon@piefed.social · 2 pts · 229d
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Tundra_Lifeform@piefed.social · 1 pts · 221d
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erebion@news.erebion.eu · 1 pts · 228d

Just use the AOSP keyboard