Some people use iOS’ Dictation feature more than others, but if you find yourself on the opposite side of the spectrum and not using it as much as you’d initially anticipated, then you just might benefit from a newly-released jailbreak tweak called EasyKeyboardX by iOS developer Soh Satoh.
EasyKeyboardX essentially replaces the Dictation key on the iOS keyboard with a configurable shortcut key instead. With it, you can either use the button to switch between your enabled keyboards more quickly, or you can enter a specific text string that you’d like to be able to paste into any text field in a jiffy.
In the screenshot examples above, you’ll notice two different setups:
- Left: @ button automatically enters an email address when tapped
- Right: ENG button switches current keyboard to the English keyboard when tapped
Here are a couple of demonstration videos provided by the developer for a clearer understanding of how the tweak works:
Once you’ve installed EasyKeyboardX, you’ll find a dedicated preference pane in the Settings app where you can configure the tweak to your liking:
Here, you can:
- Enable or disable the tweak on demand
- Choose what happens when you tap on the shortcut button once (single press):
- Switch keyboards
- Insert a predefined text string that you’ve configured (such as an email address)
- Insert the contents of your clipboard
- Choose what happens when you tap and hold on the shortcut button (long press)
- Reveal the debugging interface
- Switch keyboards
- Insert a predefined text string that you’ve configured (such as an email address)
- Insert the contents of your clipboard
- Enter a custom button label name
- Enter a custom snippet to enter when tapping on the button
- Save all changes
The developer provides a Respring button at the very bottom of the preference pane so you can save any changes you make to the settings on demand. You’ll want to do this every time you configure different parameters to ensure that they take effect.
If you’re itching for a way to make better use of that Dictation button on your keyboard, then EasyKeyboardX might be a viable option for you. On the other hand, the tweak’s $1.25 price tag in the Packix repository is an instant turn-off for me given the humble functionality it brings to the table. The tweak supports jailbroken iOS 11 and 12 devices.
What are your thoughts regarding EasyKeyboardX and its functionality for the price? Let us know in the comments section below.