Introducing the Bluetooth Keyboard
Ending this month we added a fully functioning bluetooth keyboard onto the app. It took a while to get the combined mouse and keyboard HID descriptor working, but we finally got it functioning!
The Keyboard Fragment: Seamless Integration
Our latest update includes the integration of a keyboard fragment within the app. When you navigate to the keyboard section, it automatically focuses and brings up a soft keyboard. This allows for an intuitive and familiar typing experience, similar to standard mobile device keyboards.
Key Features of the Keyboard Fragment:
- Automatic Focus: The keyboard opens and focuses immediately, ensuring a smooth transition for the user.
- Soft Keyboard Implementation: A soft keyboard is displayed, offering a comfortable and efficient typing experience.
- Multiline Editing: Supports multiline text editing, catering to various text input needs. Including deleting text, and creating line spaces via the enter key.
Behind the Scenes: Development Insights
The development of this feature involved several technical considerations:
- Fragment Implementation: The keyboard is implemented as a fragment within the app, allowing for easy access and integration with other features.
- Hiding the Text Box: To maintain a clean and uncluttered interface, we chose to hide the textbox on the app while ensuring the keyboard remains responsive to user input on the target device.
- Bluetooth HID Protocol: Each keystroke is captured and sent via the Bluetooth HID protocol to the target device. This ensures real-time text input and response.
