Input not working in some parts of the Deezer app

[LukachoLombardi]

So it seems like the guys at Deezer are doing weird things when it comes to keyboard input. Specifically on the main search page, t9 immediately "loses" typed letters and starts a new word. Same thing also happens for abc mode, with only the first letter of a key successfully being typed, and subsequent presses resulting in the same letter. My guess is that Deezer just lazily re renders the entire page when displaying new search results, which results in t9 losing control over the text already in the field.

What could be done about this? A first crutch could maybe be to offer a compatibility mode for selected applications where text stays in a field owned by the keyboard app, before being inserted into the apps field. I reckon this is also probably the only realistic solution, given this is such a niche problem.

[sspanak]

This problem has been reported before. Does it occur in the search field again or somewhere else?

What could be done about this? A first crutch could maybe be to offer a compatibility mode for selected applications where text stays in a field owned by the keyboard app, before being inserted into the apps field. I reckon this is also probably the only realistic solution, given this is such a niche problem.

Yes, TT9 has such compatibility mode. See the last video I posted in #670. When that mode is enabled, the current word is not displayed in the app until you accept it using OK, Space or by tapping the suggestion list. It is a bit inconvenient, but I have not found any other solution.

Now, I am beginning to realize this problem is not so rare as I thought. I've noticed in the Gmail app, too. Currently, the compatibility mode is activated only for specific apps and only if they request specific typing options, but I believe, to solve the problem completely, the mode should be activated automatically whenever TT9 starts "losing" letters, as you said.

I am only a bit concerned people will be confused why words are not appearing in the app as they type. I will probably display a toast message saying something like "Word composing disabled. See the Help for more info.", and in the manual I will put a section with a more detailed explanation and links to this issue and #670. But if you have a better idea of notifying the users something is wrong, please share it.

[LukachoLombardi]

Is this compatibility mode activated in deezer by default? I'm using TT9 (v44.2) on a flip phone with physical buttons, and the workaround doesn't seem to trigger for me. I'm also not able to find anything relating to it in the settings.

About the proposed workaround: I think, since the amount of apps having this problem seems to be indeterminable, you should maybe ship the app with a list of known problematic apps, but also allow the user to manually extend that list in the settings if they spot any more apps requiring this hack.

Showing a toast every time the behavior triggers seems excessive, but I also don't really have an objectively better solution. Maybe show a full popup the first time it happens, with the option "Don't show this again" and "Ok" (left to right)? The chances of the user actually reading through it are higher, and you don't have to show it every time. Also, if they just mindlessly click it away, they'll probably choose the "Ok" button (since it's on the right side) and see it again the next time, Leading to them eventually reading it in most cases.

[sspanak]

Is this compatibility mode activated in deezer by default? I'm using TT9 (v44.2) on a flip phone with physical buttons, and the workaround doesn't seem to trigger for me. I'm also not able to find anything relating to it in the settings.

There is no setting at the moment, it should kick in automatically. However, the Deezer developers may have changed something, making it impossible for TT9 to recognize it.

About the proposed workaround: I think, since the amount of apps having this problem seems to be indeterminable, you should maybe ship the app with a list of known problematic apps, but also allow the user to manually extend that list in the settings if they spot any more apps requiring this hack.

It would be easier to provide an on/off switch in the settings. But either way, it is too much work for the ordinary user who has zero technical knowledge and just wants to listen to music. Also, detecting the problem, rather than the application is much easier. For these reasons, I would like to keep it automatic.

Showing a toast every time the behavior triggers seems excessive...

No, I meant showing a toast message only once, until the next phone restart or update. Showing it every time you search for songs is indeed excessive.

[sspanak]

Update on this. The problem no longer occurs in Gmail. This leaves Deezer as the only problematic app. Unfortunately, I don't have a subscription and without it I am unable to open the app and fix the problem. I thought I could but it is not possible. If you would like to help, please donate 5 beers and mention it is for the Deezer problem. This will allow me to pay for a 1 month premium account.