keyboardkeyboard-layoutwindows
I very much like the way Smartphone keyboards work. Pressing, a tangent for example, 'A' gives me the different variations/alternatives to 'A':
Is there something very similar to use on a Windows (8) desktop computer? That is just pressing a specific key on my physical keyboard would make something similar popup?
I will have great use of something like that especially when using letters from different languages for example the german 'ß' or french 'Œ' and 'Æ'.
Yet, I've not found out if it is possible to change the default input language via a shortcut or if it's possible to disable the regular fall back to the default input language when opening a new program, but I've found an alternative!
Googling the problem, I came across the following article written by Androgen Belkin: http://www.script-coding.info/AutoHotkey/AhkRussianEng.html
He explains that Russians always have a similar problem with their keyboards concerning the Russian and English language. Thus, he created a script that checks and switches on user input, if necessary, the default input language when Windows starts. The script can be found on the above link at the very bottom and has been written for AutoHotKey, a free keyboard macro program. Luckily, I am a devoted AutoHotKey user myself.
Instead of Russian and English, I adapted the script to check for the German and English default input language. It works errorless and is very handy because now I can set my default input language with ease :)
Furthermore, AutoHotKey supports compiling scripts into single executables. I don't want to withhold my script from everybody to whom it is as useful as to me.
Switching default input language [Germany (German) <> English (United States)]: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A8HKEV4A
Filename: Switching_default_input_language_DE-EN.zip
Contents: (1) Switching_default_input_language.ahk (AutoHotKey script; for editing or re-compiling the script), (2) Switching_default_input_language.exe (stand-alone executable)
Have fun! :)
With Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator you can create CTRL+ALT+ combinations, here is how:
Note: I'm not sure about the last (three) steps, but I was able to make it work only after clicking that keyboard icon and selecting the layout from there.
May be the most simple solution is KeyTweak. There's also Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator but it's an old program and not easy to use as much as the one I suggest you.
Both are presented there: Remapping the Keyboard Layout in Windows XP, Vista, and 7
How to Remapping the Keyboard Layout in Windows XP, Vista, and 7
Best Answer
Windows 8 (or 10) allows you to add the touch keyboard button to the taskbar. Simply right-click the taskbar and select "Show touch keyboard button". You can then control the keyboard with the mouse, using the same long press as you described for a phone keyboard. This keyboard allows access to Œ through O and Æ through A. It also has additional keyboards of emoji, etc.