How to install additional virtual keyboards on your Google Nexus S

As any decerning Android user will know, one of the key bonues of being on Google's mobile platform is that you can download and install a variety of different keyboards.

Some are more straight forward, others are rather exotic and some are pretty run-of-the-mill.

Either way, there's plenty of choice – so why not have a look and see if you can find something you like?

Here's a few to get you started:

Better Keyboard is an option that actually has countless skins available right from the Market. It will allow you to change and fine-tune the keyboard to make it your own.

SwiftKey is another option that provides impressive word prediction, including a feature that predicts the next word you haven't even begun to type yet.

Now, you're ready to switch:

1. Tap the applications launcher

2. Scroll over and tap Settings

3. In the settings menu, scroll down and tap Language & keyboard

If you have a custom keyboard installed, you will see an option to toggle it on and off with a check box. In order to have it appear as a selection, the box next to your myTouchd keyboard must be checked.

4. Tap on Input method

5. Find the name of the keyboard you want to activate, and tap on it.

6. Press the Home button

Your new keyboard is now active! If you want to test it to make sure it is activated, just press the Search key, and your keyboard will pop up like in the image above.