Hacker News: shimku

New comment by shimku in "In world without BlackBerry, physical keyboards on phones are making a comeback"

shimku — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:48:47 +0000

Check out Klava for iOS – got BlackBerry, Windows Phone-inspired looks and so on https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/klava-keyboard/id6756861211

Plus customisations and BlackBerry 10-like predictive system

Show HN: Privacy-first iOS Keyboard with above-key predictions

shimku — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:11:33 +0000

Hey y'all, building Klava – an iOS keyboard inspired by BlackBerry, Windows Phone and other iconic aesthetics. It's pretty cool, I love it.

It started because I missed BlackBerry keyboard's above-key predictions dearly. That is, suggestions are displayed above individual keys as you type, and you can flick them up to input words. Then came the realisation that I am violently nostalgic for the design languages of the past, when phones were fun – and have been looking for something like that on iOS for ages. Lastly, I realised that everything should be highly customisable and privacy-first because that's nice for me and for everyone.

v1.2 now out with 25+ languages supported. Any Qs on the peculiarities (there are a ton) of building a custom iOS keyboard – feel free to shoot, and any thoughts & feedback.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46978562

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

New comment by shimku in "Ask HN: What are you working on? (February 2026)"

shimku — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:03:19 +0000

I am building Klava: a privacy-first BlackBerry-inspired iOS keyboard (https://www.klava.space/)

Klava got: - Themes that are based on BlackBerry, Windows Phone and other OSs / aesthetics - Above-word suggestions that you can flick up, it's super nice + on-device LM - Gestures: swipe left to delete words and such - Full customisation: turn stuff on and off (incl. things mentioned above) as you will - Slack-like emoji suggestions such as :fire - 25+ languages - And more stuff cooking

Showing some love on today's ProductHunt launch would be appreciated immensely y'all :) https://www.producthunt.com/products/klava