Is FUTO Keyboard and Voice Input Necessary?

So the /e OS is degoogled, meaning that tracking has been stripped wherever possible. However I have a question about the keyboard: As far as I can tell, my murena phone is still using the android keyboard. Does this mean that it is sending all the words I type (or maybe just the ones I misspell?) to google so they can send spellcheck suggestions? Is there a reason to use a different, more privacy-oriented keyboard? What about for voice input? I see that FUTO offers microphone software as well…but both of these things (meaning input methods that don’t “phone home”) seem like features that might be included with the basic e/ OS software, so i wasn’t sure.

Thanks!

PS I’m no kind of expert with computers at all–I might know enough to be dangerous, but only to myself. So please do set me straight if I’m making some incorrect assumptions here.

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

eOS keyboard does not send data to gogol.
You can check system settings → apps → show all apps → show system apps → search “com.android.inputmethod.latin.auto_generated_rro_product__”
You will see that this keypoard does not phone home (due to internet connection not allowed)
eOS would have done a miserable degoogling job if they’d allow the keyboard to still contact gogol… :slightly_smiling_face:
Install a different keyboard if you don’t like it but there’s no need to do so from a privacy point of view…

FUTO voice input works fully offline, depends solely on local database. Install it if you require voice input.

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Fantastic, thank you Obacht

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@obacht since it seems you know a topic that starts interesting me, I will take advantage of the post and ask a question.

I have started wondering how I could write SMS instead of typing them, and, unless I am wrong, the setting “Voice input key” for Android Keyboard settings was not effective … Therefore, if I install this FUTO, I will be able to do so offline, in different languages, and without privacy concerns?

Thank you in advance

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I am not an expert on voice input but I use futo voice input every once in a while and only because it respects my privacy as it works fully offline, everything happens locally on my phone.
Once installed a number of languages is available in the apps settings to be downloaded before usage, check out if your preferred language is available in good enough quality for your needs. There’s a testing menu in the settings to play with as well.
Now, no matter the app (mail, sms…) and whenever you want to use voice input instead of typing hold the globe-button on the keyboard (just like choosing another input language) and choose futo voice input method and there you go.
Just give it a try, I found it pretty straightforward…
(Futo also offers a keyboard app that is fully integrated with their voice input, I did not try it as the voice input part in combination with my standard keyboard suffices for my needs, maybe it’s less clicks are needed to start the talking… Don’t know)
Right now I use it for free but if I’d use it more often I’d be happy to support them and pay.

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thank you very much @obacht for your comprehensive answer.
I will give it a try.

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