Installing Hacker’s Keyboard is recommended on Android devices that have a hardware keyboard or keyboard-like device connected to them. Examples of such input devices are pinpad or barcode scanner.
The Hacker’s Keyboard is open-source, peer-reviewed. Other than fixing defects in the default Google keyboard, the Hacker’s Keyboard is specially suitable if you type a mix of letters and numbers a lot as it makes the numerical keys always visible (unlike Google keyboard which has the numerical keys hidden unless toggled on).
The actual definition of the word hacker (which is something programmers are used to) is, per Wikipedia: “In computing, a hacker is any highly skilled computer expert.” The co-inventor of Apple (Steve Wozniak) or Linux (Linus Torwalds) are often referred to as hackers.
Step 1: Unplug connected devices
Unplug the barcode scanner and pinpad. Then reboot the terminal.
Step 2 Download the keyboard.
Go to Google Play and search for “hacker keyboard”. Install the app with the “Esc” text on grey background.
Step 3: Enable the Hacker keyboard.
Launch the app from the home screen.
Once you start the app, you will see buttons at the top of the screen. Tap Enable keyboard.
You will be taken to a list of keyboards on your device. Choose Hacker’s Keyboard, unselect all other options including Google voice typing. Acknowledge the warning which always shows up when enabling a third-party input method.
Step 4: Set default keyboard.
Go home and launch the Hacker keyboard app again. This time, click on Set input method.
This will present you with a list of enabled keyboards. Tap on “Hacker’s Keyboard” to set it as your default keyboard.
Originally posted on WikiHow http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Hacker’s-Keyboard