Okay, I sort of resolved my own issues, but in case others are wondering: After you install an alternate keyboard apk, you can select to use it instead of the default keyboard by pressing and HOLDING in any input field (basically any field clicking in which brings up the virtual keyboard). Smart Keyboard pro is indeed nicer than the default keyboard, although it suffers from the same random LCD response issue as the regular one. You can select other languages once you have added them via the keyboard settings menus.