The Zoom Mode
The Zoom Mode enables you to enter full text using only nine keys. These keys are larger than the keys of the regular mode; 33% larger.

We invented the Zoom Mode for devices with smaller screens, such as Smartwatches. But you can also use the Zoom Mode on any device when you need to have a very small keyboard footprint, or for when you require larger keys.

In Zoom Mode only the main nine keys are accessible; the functions provided by the Hand Key and the editing functions provided by key 123/ABC are not available.

Also, in Zoom Mode, Backspace, Space, and Carriage Return functions are provided by special Long Gestures. These are gestures that span more then two keys.

To Enter Zoom Mode: Do a Drag-and-return n on the Hand key.

Alternatively, you can do a Drag-and-return p on the Hand key. This is especially useful if you use a left-handed keyboard.

To Exit Zoom Mode: Do a long Drag-and-return p starting on the top left key and spanning to the bottom right key.

Alternatively, you can do a long Drag-and-return n starting on top-right key and spanning to the bottom left key. This redundancy is added for those who use a left-handed keyboard.

Once in Zoom Mode, all taps and drags on the keys work as before. The only caveat is that you have to limit most of your drags not to span more than two keys, as in this mode, some long drags spanning more than two keys are used for the additional functions:

Space: A long drag a starting from the first column and ending on the third column enters a Space. Also, a long diagonal drag, h starting on the top-left key and ending on the bottom-right key enters space as well.

Backspace: A long drag left e starting from the third column and ending on the first column enters a Backspace. Also, a long diagonal drag, starting on the top-right key and ending on the bottom-left key enters Backspace as well.

Carriage Return or Enter: A long diagonal drag b starting on the bottom-left key and ending on the top-right key enters Carriage Return or Enter.

cursor_control_string A drag-and-return right i or left m moves the cursor right/left one character position.

Miscellany: To switch to Number mode (and back) do a long drag-and-return j up-right. In Number mode, to enter zero, draw a circle starting on the middle key. To switch to the next language, do a long drag-and-return l up-left. Draw a large clockwise cirlce on the zoom keyboard for Select All, and draw a large counter-clockwise circle for invoking the voice-to-text module.

Entering Ctrl, Alt, or Fn keys
To enter these special meta characters, first enable them in settings_string, advanced_options_string.

Once they are selected, use drag-returns on the Spacebar to activate them:

Check Character-Based Ctrls box to enter pure ASCII Ctrl codes that are requiredby some apps.

Blank Keyboard
Although it may seem counter intuitive, once you learn the keyboard, using a blank keyboard will increase your texting speed by as much as 30%! The blank keyboard feature is provided as an advanced option.

To use it, first check the Blank Keyboard option in settings_string: advanced_options_string.

Then, k on the Space bar to toggle the blanking of the keyboard. The blank keyboard will work in both portrait and landscape modes.

Entering 123 on Letter Keyboard
To enter numbers, you can always tap on ABC/123 to switch to the number keyboard. But you can also enter digits 0-9 right from the letter keyboard, without switching the keyborad. MessagEase provides two ways to do this. Pick the one that is most convenient for you.

Enter 123s by Tap-Hold
Check Tap-Hold for Numbers in settings_string advanced_options_string, and then you will be able to tap and hold on the main letters and the spacebar to enter digits 1-9 and 0. You can even adjust the timing of this tap and hold by using the Customized Timing slider in advanced_options_string. This slider also controls your deleting speed.

Enter 123s by Circles

Set up Directional Circles in settings_string to enable entering digits 0-9 by a circle gesture on the main keyboard. By doing so, you won't have to switch to the number keyboard just to enter a few digits.

You can select either clockwise, or counter-clockwise direction for entering the digits; the other direction will remain useful for entering uppercase letters.