Can you explain what the T9 option on my cell phone messaging settings is supposed to do?

My experience is limited but if you scroll to “en” when typing the message it’ll try to predict and if it can’t it’ll say, “spell word” then it adds that and saves to the word bank. Why don’t you just get a real phone this kind made my head explode lol.

I have no need nor desire for a “real” phone. I’m fine with the one I have, which I just got. Also got a free tablet. :D

Fair enough, I guess you could just ring them and talk.

I could, but we were watching a movie and I didn’t want to go in the other room, or pause the movie so I wanted to text them.

T9 or “Text on 9 keys” is allegedly a “predictive text” feature similar to “autocomplete” or “autocorrect” meant to speed typing messages on phones that lack a full keyboard. Given that some letters require 3–4 button presses and double letters are a hassle on 9-button keypads, I can see the desire for such a feature.

In practice though, it’s generally inaccurate and falls far short of the abilities of the multiple-prediction abilities of something like most Android keyboards. Using T9 for texting is like trying to cut down a tree with a serrated steak knife instead of a saw, or haul furniture in a Mini Cooper instead of an F-150; you may get it to work, but it’s going to be slow, messy, aggravating, and generally silly even though it’s technically possible. Personally, before I got a smartphone, I never used T9; it was so horrid that I was better off typing unassisted.

There used to be plenty of “dumbphones” that had slide/flip-out QWERTY keyboards, but those went the way of the dodo. The assumption is that either you want a smartphone, or you want something that is only good for voice-calls; those who want modern capabilities will use a modern device while those who stay in the past “obviously” don’t care about modern convenience like texting.

In other words, it don’t work!

I have a tablet that came free with the phone. I can use that to access everything everywhere. No reason to go with a more expensive smart phone. My husband also has a tablet.

Tablets can’t fit in pockets though. Do you take your tablet grocery shopping, or do you just call when out and about?

Also, if you didn’t know, tablets murder data plans. If you use it mostly at home, use wifi :)

Yes, I know that.

Why would I take my tablet to the grocery store?

Ehhhhhhhhhh. Love you, val

What?

“I set the phone to T9 and tried to type the word “Test.” I typed “Te,” and it reverted to “Ted,” and it just went down hill from there.”

Try it again, but instead of balking when the phone overrides you to “Ted”, keep typing the next two letters. In other words, ignore its suggestions until you have 3 or 4 letters in there. Often, that many keystrokes will at least prompt the word you want as one of the immediate choices.

“Why would I take my tablet to the grocery store?”

Because your phone’s keyboard makes texting difficult and you don’t want a smartphone. Then again, I’m the type of person who finds the magazine selection in most waiting rooms to be boring enough that I like bringing my own time-killer, preferably a pocket-sized one.

I did try that @dappled_leaves. I ended up with “Veerst.”

But why would you need it at a grocery store? If I needed to call back home, I’d just call and not mess about texting.

The tablet I got is a UK410. It’s 8.5 X 5.5 inches. It fits neatly in my purse, which is also where I carry my cell phone. It would also fit in a coat pocket. (Actually, it’s really called a pad.)

“But why would you need it at a grocery store? If I needed to call back home, I’d just call and not mess about texting.”

Some things are not worth a call, like a question where dialing will take longer than asking, and the ring will take longer than the answer. And sometimes you really can’t afford the sound. Try having a phone call silently. Admittedly, more of an issue for those of us with sound-triggered migraines, but my wife works in an office and often texts me on her breaks.

Some people who prefer texts over calls may try to contact you and you’ll never know. My local pharmacy does that, as do some of my friends.

That’s about the same size as my tablet, but I generally don’t carry a bag; if it doesn’t fit in my pocket in a way that doesn’t interfere with my mobility (having my tablet in my jacket pocket would prevent me from using a seatbelt), it stays at home.

I think it’s one of those things where different lives lead to different needs.

I had a flip phone for years, eventually accidentally set it to T9 texting, tried it and was fairly amazed how likely it was to guess well. I got fairly good at using it and it did speed up my texting a lot.

If you type ‘test’, you only need to press 4 keys (8–3-7–8) so I’m not sure what you pressed to get VEERST (8–3-3–7-7–8 ?). If you are used to pressing each key several times to get the right letter then it is hard to get used to pressing them just once and letting the predictive text take over.

There should be a ‘next’ button (perhaps an arrow key?) that allows you to choose a word that is in the list of words matching what you have typed in e.g. good and home have the same combination of keys (4–6-6–3) so there has to be a way for the user to choose the correct one

Have you tried looking at the handbook. You should be able to look up the model online and find it. It might make it a bit clearer for you

Jerv…I get my texts. On my phone. Unlike some, tho, my phone does not rule my life.

@Stinley Like this, typing the word “Test.” I type T. Then I click twice to get the “e.” It defaults to “Ted.” I back space to get rid of the “d” and it defaults to “Ve.” When I just push on through and ignore the prompts it goes like this:
T…(click twice to the “e”) Ted…(Ignore and click on to the S) “Veers” click to the “t”, wind up with “Veerst.”
8, 3(x2), 7 (x4) 8.

Next time I’m out an about I’ll go by the US Cellular office down town.

Oh right I forgot the bonus entertainment feature! Not only is it surprisingly good at predicting words, it is also creative at inventing nonsense words and offering those too.

I sometimes would go with the nonsense words just for the comedy value.

Phone ruling one’s life? Really? What brought that on? Is that what you honestly think of the huge number of people living a typical early-21st-century metropolitan lifestyle?

With the T9 you don’t have to press the key more than once to choose the letter. So to type test you just need to press the 8–3-7–8 keys once and it predicts which word you are trying to spell.. The way you are doing is the old way eg to type test you would have to press 8–33-7777–8.

Try pressing 8–3-7–8 and see what happens!

^ Yes, this is what I suggested that you do, @Dutchess_III. Don’t stop when it offers you the wrong thing after a letter or two, just ignore it and keep on typing. The whole point is that it’s trying to save you the trouble of correcting it. Just let it do its job.

Dang man! It worked! Anybody want a text that says “Test”? PM me your number!

Next question….what is the difference between T9 and T9Palabra?

Now that I know how to work it, that’s pretty damn cool!

Nevermind the T9 Palabra. I googled it.

Ya I was surprised how well it worked. I usually avoid such things, but I enjoyed it.

Making my life so much easier!

Omg holding head in hands

Now you know how I felt when I ditched the stock Android keyboard for this one. I like using the same type of keyboard on my desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone; typing the same way on all of them is just simpler than having to learn multiple styles. And as you can see from the top row, it has multiple guesses too. More than show there; it scrolls left-right to show all it’s guesses.

In the end, it’s what you are comfortable with that matters. Meanwhile, I’ll just sit here confused, wondering how anyone can type comfortably on 9-key, and why anyone would pick 9-key over QWERTY if given a choice.

Because on smart phones the QWERTY keys are so small it’s too easy to hit the wrong key, then you have to back up and do it again. My tablet, though, is easy to type on. It’s not nearly as touchy as a smart phone. It’s not as touchy as the tablet I used to have, either.

Thanks for explaining how it works, guys. Nobody knows anything until they’ve been taught.

Oh, and the reason I went with my flip phone is that it saves me $25 a month on my bill. When you get a smart phone they try to tell you that you HAVE to have internet as part of your plan (for $25.00 a month,) or your phone won’t work. They tried to tell me you can’t even make or receive calls without it, which is bullshit.
I have more devices to “stay connected” than I know what to do with. No reason to pay $25 a month for another one that I don’t need.

The keys on my keyboard are about the size of the buttons on your flip-phone, so that’s a wash; typos are equally likely on either. That may be true of an iPhone or older Android with a small screen, but not for many current Androids as screens are generally 4.5” or larger. Or maybe I just have good dexterity despite the hand tremors.

Again, different lives have different needs. I pay the extra $15 (not $25, at least not on my contract) for the things that you likely either have no interest in, no need for, or that you would prefer to carry a separate item for.

How often do you need GPS? As one who prefers to not be stuck in Seattle-style gridlock, I find traffic updates handy… though even on a dedicated GPS, that often requires internet (and a subscription fee). Why pay $10/month just for traffic when you can pay $15/month for that and more?
How much music do you listen to in your car or when you are just moving (work, gym…)? Or does your phone double as an MP3 player and radio?
How often do you need to look something up when you aren’t home, like nearby eateries, or the closest gas station? Pure convenience, but still handy.
Do you have a camera in your purse? Having a camera handy has saved me a few legal headaches and a bit of money before.
How about a notepad? Sure, I still carry a pen as well, but I’ve been known to take notes when I’m out and about.
Can your phone automatically look up numbers while ringing and give you a name even when regular Caller ID fails or just block certain calls outright based on a blacklist of known spam-callers?
I think all that and more is worth a few bucks a month. You might disagree, and that’s fine, but I find the convenience well worth it.

I have fewer devices because I opted to consolidate. Unlike the “I hate cellphones because they’re a leash!” generation, I know how to make that a one-way connection as needed. My smartphone is for my convenience, not anybody else’s. But if you feel too connected already, just remember that this is the 21st century. If you don’t know what to do with 2015, then 2025 will be really rough for you. Don’t worry though; it’s actually kind of cool to be retro now (unless you’re doing it ironically; hipsters are not cool). Just know that you’re going to be looked at a little funny by some people as a result of your quaint quirks.

Oh, and without internet access, a smartphone can still be used for voice calls, though the only time you’ll see that is a “recycled” deactivated smartphone, and deactivated phones (smart or dumb) can generally only call 911. A smartphone without access is as useful as a car without an engine or a sink without a faucet, so most smartphones are activated/connected ASAP to unlock the other 99.44% of it’s capability.

In the time it took to figure out her flip phone I could’ve sent war and peace as a text to someone from my iPhone.

@trailsillustrated To be fair, the ability to learn technology is a bit of a knack that not all people have. Some (usually older folks) are so used to the old ways that doing old tasks in new ways is tricky to learn, and getting used to new capabilities that were previously impossible is difficult or impossible. On the other hand, some people (especially kids) are a bit more xenophilic and less rigid-minded, thus can adapt quickly.
There is also the issue of drive/motivation. If one doesn’t care about something, it’s harder to learn than if you’re actually interested. That is why my knowledge of electronics, physics, and cars far outstrips my knowledge of history, biology, and needlepoint; there are certain things I just don’t care much about.
And unlike many people, @Dutchess_III had enough interest to at least ask questions, and enough open-mindedness to at least try T9’s often hilarious predictive capabilities instead of just sticking with the old ways. I may kid her about her refusal to join the smartphone crowd, but I’ve seen far more stubborn people over the years.

It didn’t take long once I understood what they were saying. None knows anything until they are taught. Snarky comments like yours are why some people are afraid to ask questions. And I repeat I’m using my pad for the first time because I don’t have access to a computer. But it isnt. The first time I’ve used one. I had one from work for 2 years. Used it all the time.

PS now I know why this one friend has out of place periods in all her posts!

No snark intended. If I come across as condescending, I apologize. I’m just a technophile who has been at it for 80% of my life who currently lives in an area where having enough tech-savvy to qualify as a total geek anywhere more than a few dozen miles from the Pacific is practically as much of a basic survival thing as being able to do your own grocery shopping. And thanks to that sort of life, it’s sometimes hard for me to see how others can be that different, or how one can eschew the conveniences of modern technology.

And yes, double-tapping the spacebar does insert extra periods all over the place.

Well I hav2e gaps on my tablet. In fact I have every thing you listed on my tablet. And it wasn’t you Jerv. (Loll!) I4t wanted to default your name to jerk!)

GPS!

Ah, it usually is me being the snarky one, so I just assumed….

Regarding GPS, I like having it up on my windshield in the corner of my vision without blocking my view or forcing me to take my eyes off the road to see it. For that reason, a 5” phone beats a 7” or 10” tablet. Waze is probably the best GPS app too.

In fact, my tablet mostly sees use as a PDF reader around the house since most of my PDFs are made from books that were formatted for 8½“x11” and contain enough tables and pictures that they do not lend themselves to reformatting and repaginating into something that can be read comfortably on a small screen the way a pure-text book can. While my phone can do it, my tablet is a more ideal size for that particular task. I just don’t feel like carrying it all that often.

I’d still be using my flip phone (happily) if I hadn’t needed to get a smart phone for work, to handle all the jokers trying to use my web apps from their phones.

I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it to be snarky I do apologise. Really.

Accepted.@Trails. Thanks. I have some suff to show you but or has to wait I get home.

Are there some words it will never learn? I just tried to send, “Home” to my daughter to let her know I was home. It insisted on “Good.” So I went into Abc, and hand typed the message and sent it. Then I tried it with T9 again to see if it would change anything. It didn’t.
I tried typing a longer version “Am home,” and “I am home.” They all defaulted to “Good.’

I didn’t get the impression that my T9 feature actually ever learned anything – I think it always behaved the same. I think it just has some funky algorithm that predicts words and sometimes makes comedic invented word suggestions.

I don’t think any of them actually have an editable dictionary. They only have a list of the words that fit a particular sequence of keys, and many of them don’t even really have a way to deal with multiple “textonyms”. Both home and good are 4663, and while some phones offer multiple choice in such cases, some (apparently, including your’s) do not.

Now you know why I didn’t use T9.

Overall, @jerv, I’m happy with it. It works 95% of the time. The other 5% is not really a problem. Just switch over to Abc, then switch back..

For me, T9 worked closer to 20% of the time. I’m enough of a control freak that when something that is supposed to make things easier actually makes more work for me four out of five times, I ditch it. YMMV.

Glad you got it sorted @Dutchess_III

@jerv I think they have probably improved the feature over time. With my last LG flip, texting drove me nuts. I’d push 4, for “g” and often it would skip on past the “g” and go to “h” or “i.” I’d spend so much time correcting shit and it was so frustrating. However, now I think that it was the T9 feature, which I did not have enabled, “bleeding through.”
Anyway, with my new phone it really does work 95% and I’m happy.
PS, I sent you a message on FB!

Oh, and soon after I got my other, old LG, and it was doing that, I took it to the dealer and asked what was up. Young gal, started composing a text, going just as fast as she could, then said, “I don’t have any problem….oh, wait. It might have done it there.” Then she closed the phone, handed it to me, and shrugged her shoulders. In other words, she was gonna show this old lady how it was done. Dumbshit. I was in the industry for 6 years. I was in the industry when texting was invented. Pisses me off when people make assumptions about my capabilities just because I’m over 40.

Something I discovered by accident last night is that when it gives you a word you don’t want, if you key the 0 key while the word is highlighted, it then goes through a list of other choices. Pretty cool! Made my live a hell of a lot easier.