Good news!
When I had the idea to create RuneInput, I couldn’t imagine how big this project would become. My initial concept had two main points:
- It was supposed to be a keyboard for writing Elder Futhark runes, allowing you to use it in any mobile app.
- It should be as simple as possible.
With over 20 years of studying runes and about 15 years of development experience, it would be an exciting challenge. I had never worked with Java before, but I wasn’t scared. I sat down at my desk, and two weeks later, I introduced the world to RuneInput, an Android keyboard featuring the 24 Elder Futhark runes that you can use in any app on your device. That was in June 2020, during the pandemic.
In August of the same year, I released a new version using the Younger Futhark runes. I’ve renamed the apps to RuneInput – Elder Futhark and RuneInput – Younger Futhark to clarify the intent of each.
Runes are a phonetic alphabet, and these apps often don’t consider that. Most available applications try to convert text to runes, prone to errors. So instead of trying to do something like that, RuneInput gives you a keyboard with runes. And you can write it any way you want.
Last year I visited Brazil to visit family and friends and discuss the keyboards my friends, and I developed. The project turned from a simple thing I wanted to one of the most exciting keyboards available in stores.
Based on this discussion, we set a new goal: to release other keyboards that could interest the general public. I’m happy to report that we’re finally reaching our goal!
We now have 11 keyboards for the ‘Input Series’! We have four keyboards that allow you to write with “stylized fonts” in any application: Monospace, DoubleStruck, Calligraphy and Fraktur! We have four rune-focused keyboards: Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, Futhorc Anglo-Saxon and Medieval. And their siblings: Ogham, Astrological and Alchemical characters.
All have been available on the Google Store since last February. The Apple Store only had the Elder Futhark and Younger Futhark. But it is with great happiness that I announce that the other keyboards will be available in the Apple Store from the 01st of May, 2023!
The bad news…
Developing apps is a challenging task. What I wanted to have on my personal cell phone for writing runes has become one of the best rune keyboards available in stores.
To develop the iPhone version, we had to invest heavily, buying a Mac computer. And we have to factor in the time and effort to learn a new programming language and recreate the project using the same design pattern we use for the Android versions. Based on this, we came to a decision: we need to increase the price of the application.
The old Android versions have been available since June 2020. The new ones we released in February were the same price. That price was US$0.99 / £0.99 / €0.99.
Apple has a different pricing model that allows us to only go up in tiers, so the price is slightly higher: US$1.99 / £1.99 / €1.99.
As of the 01st of May, all apps in both stores will have their prices adjusted: US$ 1.99 / £ 1.99 / € 1.99, both in the Google and Apple Stores.
THE AMAZING NEWS!
If you use Android, you can purchase the apps at the price we currently charge.
And to make things fair, we decided to open a pre-sale of iOS apps, using the same price as today for Android! So, until the 31st of April, you can get any of our keyboards for $0.99 / £0.99 / €0.99. Apple handles the pre-order directly and will release the apps on the 01st of May at 11:00 UTC.
Pre-order your favourite keyboards today and take advantage of our limited-time offer!
If you have any questions, contact us using the following e-mail: contato@hodstudio.com.br.
