After install, you’ll see “Power Geez Unicode” in your language bar (bottom right).
| Shortcut | Action |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Right Alt (Alt Gr) | Switch to English temporarily |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Toggle phonetic/typewriter layout |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Show on-screen keyboard |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Insert Geez book title marks (ፀሐፈ) |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo (works normally) |
| Ctrl + Shift + [1-7] | Switch between 7 different layouts |
One of the most praised features in the 2021 version is the automatic normalization of combining characters. For example, typing "wa" produces ዋ consistently, not ዐ+ዋ (a common bug in older editors).
| Feature | Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) | Abyssinica SIL (Free) | Keyman (with Ethiopic) | |--------|-----------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------| | Phonetic layout | Excellent (customizable) | Good (basic) | Very good | | Spell-check | Yes (Amharic/Tigrinya) | No | No (third-party plugin) | | System-wide shortcut | Yes (Win + G) | No | Yes (via Keyman engine) | | On-screen keyboard | Yes | No | Yes | | Price (2021) | ~$49 one-time | Free | Free (but layouts limited) | | Unicode support | 13.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | | Learning curve | Low | Medium | High (requires configuration) |
Verdict: Power Geez is best for professionals (translators, publishers, government offices) who need high-speed typing and integrated spell-check. Abyssinica SIL is ideal for casual users. Keyman is for developers or polyglots.
Power GeEZ Unicode 2 2021 is not "exciting" software in the way a new video game is. It is exciting in the way a reliable power grid is. It is infrastructure. power geez unicode 2 2021
It solves a fundamental problem: How do you put a 3000-year-old script onto a modern computer? It does so without bloatware, without distracting ads, and with a learning curve so gentle that a child could master it in an afternoon.
Pros:
Cons:
Final Score: 9/10 If you type in Amharic, Tigrinya, or Ge'ez, this isn't just a recommendation; it is a requirement. Power GeEZ 2021 remains the king of the hill for Ethiopian localisation.
Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) is a popular software suite used to type in Ethiopic scripts, such as Amharic, Tigrigna, and Afaan Oromo, on Windows-based systems. It allows users to write using a phonetic keyboard layout, where English letters are converted into Ge'ez characters based on their sound. Key Features Restart your PC
Phonetic Typing: Enables writing Ethiopic characters by typing their English phonetic equivalents (e.g., typing "selam" to get "ሰላም").
Unicode Support: Uses the Unicode standard , ensuring that text remains readable across different devices, modern web browsers, and updated software like Microsoft Office 2019 or later.
Font Compatibility: Comes bundled with various fonts like Power Geez Unicode 1, 2, and 3, which are specifically designed to handle the complex ligatures of Ethiopic scripts.
Legacy Support: Often includes tools to convert older, non-Unicode documents into modern Unicode formats for better compatibility with newer operating systems like Windows 11 . How to Use Power Geez Unicode
Power Ge'ez is a widely used software for typing in the Ge'ez script, essential for Ethiopic languages like Amharic and Tigrinya After install, you’ll see “Power Geez Unicode” in
. The "Unicode" version of this software specifically allows for modern web and document compatibility by using universal character standards rather than older, legacy fonts. Core Functionality Dual Modes : The software typically offers two distinct typing modes: Normal Phonetic Mode : Uses traditional fonts (like Ge'ez-1, 2, or 3). Unicode Mode
: Uses standardized Unicode fonts (like Power Ge'ez Unicode 1, 2, or 3) for better compatibility with modern web browsers and email. Phonetic Typing
: Users can type Ge'ez characters by using English letters that sound similar (e.g., typing "hu" for "ሁ"). Key Features
how to convert Ge'ez -1 font to unicode (power geez ... - Stack Overflow
Users can add personal abbreviations. For instance, typing tnt autocorrects to ትንታኔ (analysis), saving hundreds of keystrokes in long documents.
Three primary layouts are included, switchable via a system tray icon or hotkey: