Typing umlauts via multi-tap conflicts with fast word typing

[uestueab]

On a physical keyboard (Titan 2 / Q25), the current way to type umlauts is multi-tap into the variation layer (e.g. a → ä, o → ö, u → ü). For most words this works, but it breaks down when a word contains letters in quick succession that sit close to the variation options.

Concretely: multi-tap requires a deliberate rhythm, so when you're speed-typing a normal word with repeated or adjacent letters, the keyboard can misfire — you end up with an umlauted character (or a variation candidate) where you wanted the plain letter. The rhythm-based timing is the root of the problem, and it compounds when several such letters appear near each other in one word.

I've also tried the variation/suggestion bar (the row that appears showing alternate character options). It's better than nothing, but it's not a good fit for fast typing either — it pulls focus to a bar and adds a selection step that a physical keyboard shouldn't need.

Suggested direction (one option, not necessarily the best)

A compose/dead-key style behaviour, e.g. pressing " followed by a letter produces the umlauted vowel:

" + a → ä,  " + o → ö,  " + u → ü

I've considered this fairly seriously, and I could live with it. But I'm aware it's not the most elegant solution — a dedicated compose sequence is arguably clunky next to how someone naturally types a quote. That's why I'm posting this as an open request rather than a rigid spec.

What I'm really asking for

I'd like an alternative to multi-tap and the variation bar for accented characters on fast physical-keypad typing. The dead-key example above is one way; I'm happy to leave the how open and let you design whatever mechanism best fits the existing model layer, multi-tap engine, and layout system. Ideally it feels natural at rapid typing speed and never makes a plain letter or a real punctuation character misfire purely because of typing rhythm.

[pzauner]

Modifiers -> Long Press -> Variations is my recommendation.
So not using multi taps but long press for umlaute

[uestueab]

but then I lose the ability to output the symbols above my letters right? That would be a bummer, since I use those more frequently. Ofc if the device alt symbols appeared in the variations by default then that would be something worth to consider.