Thoughts of a slide out keyboard for iPhone

[CaryMacGuy]

I just wanted to get an idea of what iPhone fans think about having a slide out keyboard similar to HTC windows mobile devices on the iPhone. I know several people that would buy an iPhone if it had that.
Do you think Apple could pull it off in an elegant way?

[FarSeide]

I just wanted to get an idea of what iPhone fans think about having a slide out keyboard similar to HTC windows mobile devices on the iPhone. I know several people that would buy an iPhone if it had that.
Do you think Apple could pull it off in an elegant way?

I cant see how they would accomplish that without sacrificing the thickness of the iPhone. I actually like the current keyboard and I dont want iPhone to resemble any of current HTC models or Windoze models.

[mikes63737]

I would love to see a slide out keyboard. If Apple made one and it looked nice (and worked well!) I would buy one immediately.

However, I can see Apple making some sacrifices on that keyboard. Just like Apple decided that we don't need MMS or custom text message alert sounds, they might decide that no one needs the letter "Q" on their keyboards anymore or something.

[Applejuiced]

That would defeat the whole touchscreen interface of the iPhone. Its not happening

[7on]

Not to mention with the HTC touch taking off, I can't see slide out keyboards staying popular in HTC's camp for long either.

[ucfgrad93]

I don't like sliders as they tend to make the phone thicker. I like the iPhone keyboard the way it is.

[anmoldagreat]

thats only taking off because it works on cdma networks. and the iphone does not.
that may just be me but how about you search htc touch iphone skin?

personally the fact that the iphone does not have a keyboard makes it a joke for most professionals. i like the ipod touch because of the touch interface but i go with nothing less than my blackjack 2 for a real phone.

i guess we'll just have to wait and see for the new iphone...

[7on]

thats only taking off because it works on cdma networks. and the iphone does not.
that may just be me but how about you search htc touch iphone skin?

personally the fact that the iphone does not have a keyboard makes it a joke for most professionals. i like the ipod touch because of the touch interface but i go with nothing less than my blackjack 2 for a real phone.

i guess we'll just have to wait and see for the new iphone...

That really doesn't make sense, I was comparing the HTC touch to other slider style phones from HTC. It's selling better than those. People who like qwerty on their smartphones are turning into a niche.

[t0mat0]

If you need the function of a keyboard that much, you'd probably be better off getting a roll up Bluetooth keyboard, and hoping Apple are gong to get decent BT support in the 2.0 update come June.

WM is moving away from stylus and towards touch. RIM is in the market primarily because it doesn't have a decent rival (until Apple updates its software...).
If you want a keyboard, get a keyboard. If you want a Crackberry or HTC, get one. Apple can't be all things to all people, and won't do every model under the sun. The same goes with a slider, or a flip phone.

[Santa Rosa]

Bog awful. I hope that never happens as it would be terrible. The keyboard on the iPhone at the moment is amazing. I really have difficulty seeing how people find it difficult to use, maybe I'm just shortsighted....

[Surely]

No thank you. I like the iPhone keyboard. I'm good at typing on it. I don't want the extra bulk of a slide out keyboard.


personally the fact that the iphone does not have a keyboard makes it a joke for most professionals.

I don't even understand what that means. I know plenty of professionals that use the iPhone. I'd say the bigger problems are the lack of Exchange Support (coming soon), push email (also CS), BCC, cut/copy and paste, and the ability to edit docs.

[Merlosso]

Adding a physical keyboard to the iPhone would be a step backwards. What would be next? A floppy drive on the MacBook Air? :rolleyes:

Having the ability to display a different keyboard for a different function is far superior to assigning multiple functions to individual mechanical keys. I would be surprised if Apple considered doing this but in the end I really wouldn't care as long as a touch screen only model was still available.

[dupdup]

I'd love to have a thin slide out keyboard. The iphone key board is a pain in the ass to use for anyone with slightly big fingers. You can say what you like about my typing ability, but I know I'm not the only one that constantly screws up on the iphone keyboard and is reliant on its auto correction (which works about 70% of the time). I was so much faster on the old HTC 6700. What they need to do is allow for landscape typing for all apps. That is so much easier for me.

[RedTomato]

I absolutely love the qwerty slide out keybaord on my phone (HTC TyTn ) and would never buy a phone without one. I send about 1000 texts a month (about 30 a day) and have about 5000 texts from other people in on my phone (need to clear out that SMS log soon)

You might ask do I never use it for phone calls? You'd be right. I never make or receive phone calls. Something to do with being deaf.

Funny thing is I know plenty of hearing people who send far more texts than I do.

For you USA Macrumors people, texting is far more common in EU than in USA as it's free to receive a text, (you pay when sending it) and there are lots of tariffs with high / unlimited text sending allowances.

[anmoldagreat]

That really doesn't make sense, I was comparing the HTC touch to other slider style phones from HTC. It's selling better than those. People who like qwerty on their smartphones are turning into a niche.

i actually havent heard a lot of news about htc touch only phones such as the htc touch (for sprint and verizon as the xv6900) to be selling more than their huge selection of qwerty phones... even a lot of htc touch users want to switch to the htc touch dual because of the physical keys.
i actually do believe that the iphone keyboard isnt that bad and with people making their own keyboards for winmo and haptic feedback; im sure touch smart phones will be a lot more practical.
but i'd say for now its just a fad and that most folks will stick with physical qwertys.

[Surely]

I absolutely love the qwerty slide out keybaord on my phone (HTC TyTn ) and would never buy a phone without one. I send about 1000 texts a month (about 30 a day) and have about 5000 texts from other people in on my phone (need to clear out that SMS log soon)

You might ask do I never use it for phone calls? You'd be right. I never make or receive phone calls. Something to do with being deaf.

Funny thing is I know plenty of hearing people who send far more texts than I do.

For you USA Macrumors people, texting is far more common in EU than in USA as it's free to receive a text, (you pay when sending it) and there are lots of tariffs with high / unlimited text sending allowances.

Why do you think that you would have so much trouble using the iPhone keyboard? It's QWERTY as well.

Receiving text messages in the USA and Canada is also free, same as where you are.

[Applejuiced]

Well said.
People think Apple is going to cater to their every single want.
I'd buy an Iphone if it has this or only when this feature is released etc.....
You like it buy it, if not find something else that does the work for you.



If you want a keyboard, get a keyboard. If you want a Crackberry or HTC, get one. Apple can't be all things to all people, and won't do every model under the sun. The same goes with a slider, or a flip phone.

[RedTomato]

Why do you think that you would have so much trouble using the iPhone keyboard? It's QWERTY as well.

Receiving text messages in the USA and Canada is also free, same as where you are.

I had a go on it in the Apple shop. Lovely phone, but still think I prefer a physical keyboard rather than a virtual one.

One thing I do miss about slider keyboards is not being able to text one-handed - useful when walking or carrying stuff.

Re: texting in Canada + USA - oh I must be out of date then. Last time I looked, it was pay to receive. Things must have changed then.

[speakerwizard]

i think it would add needless size, and confuse the UI which, would create inconsistencies between models. I do however think apple should allow pairing to bluetooth keyboards for those who travel and work a lot as well as open up hardware accessories to the sdk (which i think will eventually happen but maybe in a year or so.

[mogzieee]

Hmmmm it's unlikely.

It would then make it look too much like a business phone - less people from the consumer market would want to get it.

[Stampyhead]

I hate slide phones with a passion. If the iPhone ever adopted a slide-out keyboard (which I'm pretty sure it wouldn't) I would not buy that model. I like it how it is now. If it's not broken don't fix it.

[RedTomato]

I hate slide phones with a passion. If the iPhone ever adopted a slide-out keyboard (which I'm pretty sure it wouldn't) I would not buy that model. I like it how it is now. If it's not broken don't fix it.

Well you know, if you don't like it, no need to buy the slidey model :)

Dunno why some people think phones with qwerty keyboards look like business phones :confused: Yeah blackberries do, but lots others don't. Paris Hilton (still?) uses the Danger Hiptop while partying and she's no business dude.

While I love my HTC TyTn, the Windows Mobile 5 it runs winds me up no end. I'd love to have OSX on a qwerty phone.

[Applejuiced]

Yes, dont buy the slidey model that dont exist. :D

Well you know, if you don't like it, no need to buy the slidey model :)

[Surely]

I had a go on it in the Apple shop. Lovely phone, but still think I prefer a physical keyboard rather than a virtual one.

One thing I do miss about slider keyboards is not being able to text one-handed - useful when walking or carrying stuff.

Re: texting in Canada + USA - oh I must be out of date then. Last time I looked, it was pay to receive. Things must have changed then.

It takes a lot longer to get used to the iPhone keyboard than a try out at the Apple Store. Believe me, I hated it at first, but as I got better at using it, I've grown to really like it. It took me about a week to fully get used to using it. And I had to learn to trust the autocorrect- it's not perfect, but I'm happy with it.

Also, is the iPhone's TTY feature something that is useful to you?

Incoming texting in Canada has been free for a number of years, so I guess it has been a while since you last looked. :)

[infosprt]

I have both an HTC cellphone and an iPhone. I use both on the Internet and definately think the iPhone approach is better.

[carlosbutler]

i dont think a slide out keyboard would ever be seen on an iPhone because it would mean that the touchscreen wouldnt be used. it also costs more and more can go wrong. but the biggest thing is that you would only be able to use it horizontally or vertically, not both since the keyobard would only slide out in one way (i guess).

[JBaker122586]

Why do you think that you would have so much trouble using the iPhone keyboard? It's QWERTY as well.

Receiving text messages in the USA and Canada is also free, same as where you are.

Receiving texts is not free in the US.

That doesn't mean it's used less than in Europe though. I routinely go over 1000 texts a month.

[Surely]

Receiving texts is not free in the US.

That doesn't mean it's used less than in Europe though. I routinely go over 1000 texts a month.

Are you sure you aren't going over the 1000 sent messages?

If I am incorrect about receiving texts in the US, then I stand corrected.

[RedTomato]

i dont think a slide out keyboard would ever be seen on an iPhone because it would mean that the touchscreen wouldnt be used. it also costs more and more can go wrong. but the biggest thing is that you would only be able to use it horizontally or vertically, not both since the keyobard would only slide out in one way (i guess).

Most HTC qwerty slider phones work both horizontally and vertically in all apps - the screen flips. (like the iTouch I think) And they all have touchscreen.

Most functions can be called both through poking the touch screen or via the qwerty keyboard. The touchscreen and keyboard actually work together pretty well - its nice having both options.

One fly is that there are several keyboard shortcuts thats are visible (and can't be turned off) in Windows Mobile's menu items, but can't be activated with the keyboard as HTC didn't include any of the windows meta keys. Grr. And there isn't a key for right-click/context menus either, so right click functions can only be done on the touchscreen. Grr x 2.

That's due to the OS and the HW designers being several thousand miles distant. Wouldn't happen with Apple.

[zeptov]

I'd like to see a slide-out keyboard - it's the only reason I got a TyTN instead of an iPhone last year. I don't need my laptop traveling, and I frequently find myself writing documents and long emails on my phone. Add that onto an iPhone and I think it would be awesome. When it's integrated, it's great - I use the touch screen and soft keyboard for lots of stuff, then the keyboard when I'm writing something longer.

As for text costs -- I used AT&T for several years then T-Mobile for the last 4 or 5; AT&T never charged for received email, T-Mobile always has. It depends on your carrier. (Turns out it doesn't make much difference - the cost of 1 received and 1 sent on T-Mobile was the same as 1 sent on AT&T.)

[iGeRmAn]

I do not see apple going one step back. So, sorry but there will never be a mechanical keyboard on a product named iPhone.

[jarjarblinks]

It will look atrocious and totally defeat the purpose of having a touch screen.

Atrocious because gone are the smooth svelte shape of a "unibody" iPhone that characterizes it without any "lines" to break the aesthetics.

Anyways its 4 weeks to WWDC and we'll know for sure then (hopefully!).

[Knolly]

Would absolutely love a slide out keyboard.

I know they will never ONLY have a model with a keyboard, but I've always been hoping that they'll introduce two models of the iPhone, one with and one without the keyboard.

[patrickdunn]

I think slide out keyboard would be the opposite direction that apple wants to go.

See: new iPod shuffle sans buttons and the new keyboard with no number pad.

[maflynn]

I'm not a fan of slider phones and has done such a good job with their "virtual" keyboard that adding anything to the current iPhone would destroy the nice lines and looks w/o really adding a lot functionality.

I can see palm doing it from a marketing/product differentiation perspective but that doesn't mean apple should embrace it.

[iPhoneFreak17]

as much as i like qwerty keyboards on phones,i dont want it to happen to the iphone,i just want it to stay the way it is....sexy touch screen phone:D:cool::D:cool:

[The General]

No. Absolutely not. There is no elegant way to have a physical keyboard on a phone. Having a physical keyboard would mean Apple would have to make a different phone for every language that has a different keyboard as well. Currently, they just have to make a new keyboard layout in software.

It will never happen. Ever. Don't get your hopes up.

[janstett]

What they need to do is allow for landscape typing for all apps. That is so much easier for me.

QFT, I think people having a hard time adapting would warm up with a landscape keyboard. I still hunt-and-peck on the iPhone at decent speed, but I can't do the two-handed thing on it until we get landscape mode and false hits should all but disappear because of the wider keys.

[janstett]

How about something that slides into the dock connector and gives you a Palm/Blackberry style physical keyboard?

[fireshot91]

A slide out keyboard requires buttons.

Steve Jobs wouldn't go backwards in technology and sink to buttons :rolleyes:


Also, I don't think we need a physical keyboard. Once you get used to typing on the iPhone, it becomes natural. I can't type on a T9 keyboard anymore, or a actual physical QWERTY keyboard.

[TheSpaz]

Please please please no. Please do not ruin my iPhone with a slide out keyboard. Ugh. I would stop buying iPhones if they came with a physical keyboard.

[Randman]

Uhh, no.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

why do people pick up these old threads that are over a year old?? :rolleyes:

[Consultant]

Yes as mentioned by Apple the software keyboard allows better usability.
However it would be convenient if an iPhone can pair up with say the apple bluetooth keyboard.

why do people pick up these old threads that are over a year old?? :rolleyes:

Lol. Using SEARCH for newbies...
Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

At least the one who resurrected the thread used the search. Give him a break. =)

[english06]

No thank you. I like the iPhone keyboard. I'm good at typing on it. I don't want the extra bulk of a slide out keyboard.

I don't even understand what that means. I know plenty of professionals that use the iPhone. I'd say the bigger problems are the lack of Exchange Support (coming soon), push email (also CS), BCC, cut/copy and paste, and the ability to edit docs.

Push will be here in a month. Along with cut, copy, and paste. Oh and BCC is completely already here. So your concerns will be fixed soon. Minus the whole edit docs thing...

[John T]

No, I can't ever see the iPhone having a "physical" keyboard. Two reasons for starters; It would destroy the thin profile of the iPhone and it would be pointless on a touch-screen 'phone.

The iPhone has been launched primarily at the "younger generation" who want, in addition to a 'phone, a music player, web browser a big/small boy's toy. ;) Professionals - the press etc, who use their 'phone primarily as a pocketable laptop replacement/communication tool will always prefer a RIM type machine. To them, a physical keyboard is a prerequisite.

[Surely]

Push will be here in a month. Along with cut, copy, and paste. Oh and BCC is completely already here. So your concerns will be fixed soon. Minus the whole edit docs thing...

Um, you do realize that you quoted and responded to a comment of mine from April 22, 2008?

You consider that soon? It's been over one year since the day I posted that comment.

[english06]

Um, you do realize that you quoted and responded to a comment of mine from April 22, 2008?

You consider that soon? It's been over one year since the day I posted that comment.

Oh... I didn't realize this thread was brought back from the dead... Sorry just saw the April and ran. :D

[Surely]

Oh... I didn't realize this thread was brought back from the dead... Sorry just saw the April and ran. :D

That's okay..... I had a feeling you didn't notice the year. :D

On the plus side, at least the person who brought this old thread back actually did a forum search instead of starting a new thread. Searching doesn't happen often around these parts.....


I still don't think that Apple will revert back to a hard keyboard for the iPhone- slide-out or not.

[kdarling]

Well, as long as the thread came back from the dead...

Something like what the Verizon Versa has would be interesting (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/02/19/verizon-wireless-lg-versa-info-galore/): optional I/O accessories in an attachable case.

The Versa can be used standalone, or with a keyboard case attached, or with a gamepad case.

I think the iPhone could really use at least an optional gamepad. And many people ask for a wide physical keyboard for typing because of the size of their fingers.

[Primejimbo]

I don't like sliders as they tend to make the phone thicker. I like the iPhone keyboard the way it is.
Same here. I thought I would hate not having a regular keyboard but I really like this touch screen a lot. One thing I also hated about having a button keyboard is the paint would rub off over time making the keyboard look very cheap.

[dlamin517]

if you watched the keynote where they introduced the first iphone, you will realize that they will NEVER release an iphone with a physical keyboard. EVER

[226896]

Bog awful. I hope that never happens as it would be terrible. The keyboard on the iPhone at the moment is amazing. I really have difficulty seeing how people find it difficult to use, maybe I'm just shortsighted....

Agreed. I've never typed on a mobile device so fast before. The iPhone keyboard is piss easy to use. I honestly don't see people's problems with it.

[instaxgirl]

Agreed. I've never typed on a mobile device so fast before. The iPhone keyboard is piss easy to use. I honestly don't see people's problems with it.

I looove typing on the iPhone. I was always one of those people that was incredibly slow at texting etc though.

I'm not too great at qwerty keyboards. My dad's also one of those rare businessmen who curses his Blackberry's keyboard. He vastly prefers touchscreen phones. (I'm pretty sure he's trying to work out how to get upgraded to the Storm)

[stargzr737]

I love the iPhone and have to say that my only reason for not buying one for myself is the lack of a real full QWERTY keyboard. I just can not for the life of me get comfortable with tapping a message on a screen, plus I lack the accuracy. Many say then just go with an HTC or some such alternative. But that's just it, there are the lot of us out here that are stuck between wanting something conservative and something new and creative. I think that an iPhone with a slide-out keyboard would fit perfectly in that niche. I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[JBaker122586]

niche.

I just have to take one word from your post to let you know why it won't happen...

[Carniphage]

The wide-screen keyboards in 3.0 are really really fast for two thumb typing.

I am sure there are people that don't like them, and prefer physical keys. But physical keys require you to hit the key, and then press down make an electronic contact. Yes there is tactile feedback, but the iPhone keyboard you just type, use the force, and the words appear at an amazing rate.

I am certain that I could not type so quickly if I had to depress physical key switches.

The biggest downside to the non-physical keyboard is the lack of accuracy, its easy to hit the wrong key when your thumb tip straddles about 4 keys. But the widescreen format keyboard increases the inter key spacing and solves that problem.

C.

[mouchoir]

I find the iPhone's keyboard extremely easy to use and would rather it stayed as a touchscreen interface.

It makes it really easy to switch between languages, and find accents and symbols.

A physical keyboard would be a step backwards now.

[akbc]

I've used quite a lot of smartphones, (HTC TyTn I & II, iPhone and Samsung Haptic and such...)

I LOVE physical keyboards. The feedback is just awesome. The "tick" sounds that iPhone makes isn't all that satisfying. However, I wouldn't mind iPhone having the "haptic" feedback. Where it vibrates every key pressed. It's such a joy using Samsung full-touch phones with the haptic feedback.

So.. please.. iPhone next generation, consider haptic feedback :)

[Doju]

NOO!

I can type faster on the screen than on any Blackberry or slide out I've used. It just takes time to learn it. The keyboard is maniputable if it's virtual as well. Switch symbols, accents, etc. is so much easier than on a CrapBerry too.

Dang, there's no point. It just makes it thicker.

[ineedamac]

if you watched the keynote where they introduced the first iphone, you will realize that they will NEVER release an iphone with a physical keyboard. EVER

I agree. There will never be a physical keyboard. God help me if Apple does come out with one, it would be the worst move ever.

To quote from the original keynote..."The most advanced phones are smart phones, so they say...The problem with the user interfaces is really in the bottom 40...they all have these keyboards that are there whether or not you need them to be there...it doesn't work because the buttons and controls can't change, they can't change for each application..."

[Unspoken Demise]

I think it would be a giant step backwards, and it would show weakness on Apple's part, and show a lack of faith in the way their product has been running for 2+ years. The keyboard is fantastic! 3.0 will bring landscape texting to SMS. I don't see a need for a slide out keyboard on future iPhones. Apple isnt HTC. Coming from an HTC Tilt, I would know. The qwerty slide out is nice, but creates more problems than it alleviates.

[jessica.]

I think a slide out keyboard is going backwards in design. I'd prefer them to keep it as it is.

[Melrose]

I've used both keyboard types - not extensively though - and can't say there's anything really bad about the iPhone's virtuality.

It's really not all that difficult to type on. The biggest thing to get over is that you don't actually get a tactile push of a button. And as said, the lack of any hard keyboard - or any buttons at all really - is one of the singular best features of the iPhone.

The more buttons they make, the more handsets they have to produce to come up with new features. This way, all they do is update software basically. I hope they stick with it the way it is... but then again, I don't see Apple adding a keyboard anyway..

[anjinha]

I've used quite a lot of smartphones, (HTC TyTn I & II, iPhone and Samsung Haptic and such...)

I LOVE physical keyboards. The feedback is just awesome. The "tick" sounds that iPhone makes isn't all that satisfying. However, I wouldn't mind iPhone having the "haptic" feedback. Where it vibrates every key pressed. It's such a joy using Samsung full-touch phones with the haptic feedback.

So.. please.. iPhone next generation, consider haptic feedback :)

I know there's an option for that for jailbroken iPhones. But yeah, it would be great if apple added it. I didn't really like it when I used a touchscreen phone with haptic feedback but I understand why a lot of people would.

[lostprophet894]

The problem with haptic feedback is battery life. The iPhone already suffers in that department. I don't think Apple is going to add another feature that degrades the already sufferable battery unless they improve the battery drastically.

Another thing is UI slowdown. With jailbroken iPhones, type too fast with HF and you actually get ahead of the phone because of the lag. But we all know Apple wouldn't release something like that so that probably wouldn't be an issue in the end.

[matttye]

Knowing apple they'd give it a laser keyboard (http://www.t3.com/news/maplin-virtual-laser-keyboard?=35324) or something.

[MacGeek03]

That idea would be retarded......Why have a touch screen phone?

[matttye]

That idea would be retarded......Why have a touch screen phone?

A physical keyboard is much easier to type with when you're not looking at the device. There tends to be less margin for error with physical keyboards too as there is more space for each of the keys.

That said, the landscape keyboard on the iPhone is dead easy to type with anyway..

[iGeRmAn]

A physical keyboard is much easier to type with when you're not looking at the device. There tends to be less margin for error with physical keyboards too as there is more space for each of the keys.

That said, the landscape keyboard on the iPhone is dead easy to type with anyway..

But your aren't talking about potrait-keyboards, i guess.

Palm's little fellow :

it's a PITA to type on that

[gmagnes]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread too far, but does anyone know if the landscape keyboard mentioned above that's slated for the 3.0 release will be available within the email, word processing, list making/todo and notes type programs?
thanks,
Gerry

[anjinha]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread too far, but does anyone know if the landscape keyboard mentioned above that's slated for the 3.0 release will be available within the email, word processing, list making/todo and notes type programs?
thanks,
Gerry

It will be available on the built-in notes and email apps. In 3rd party apps it's up to the developers to add landscape functionality.

[MacGeek03]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread too far, but does anyone know if the landscape keyboard mentioned above that's slated for the 3.0 release will be available within the email, word processing, list making/todo and notes type programs?
thanks,
Gerry

yes it will

[instaxgirl]

The wide-screen keyboards in 3.0 are really really fast for two thumb typing.


Having started using bitesms' landscape keyboard for texting I'm surprised at how much I like it. I never was that fond of it in safari but now I love it.

[iphones4evry1]

I speak on behalf of thousands that I have heard say the exact same thing:

Before I had an iPhone, I hated the idea of not having a physical keyboard. Slowly, I got used to it ... and today, I think it works great. So... I do not see a need for a physical keyboard. I would rather Apple fill any empty space inside the phone with a faster processor and more memory instead of a pop-out keyboard.

Volume is limited - you have a choice: pop out keyboard, or more hardware (faster processor, more memory)

[ppc750fx]

I thought the idea of a touch keyboard was cool.

Then I got an iPhone. I used it for 9 months. Yes, I adapted to the touch keyboard, but it still is inferior -- my accuracy dropped considerably when I was walking (fingers slide, etc.), and even when stationary I found that I wasn't really that fast.

Then I got an E71 (physical keyboard), and within five minutes I was wondering how I was able to put up with the iPhone for so long. I don't make the same typos anymore, and the predictive input is fast enough that my typing speed almost doubled. Given that 90+% of my mobile communications are e-mail, the improvement was most welcome indeed.

To each their own though -- I'm sure lots of people find the iPhone to be plenty for their needs.

[Warbrain]

Horrible idea. Would hate it. It would make the phone less appealing to me.

The keyboard as it is now is phenomenal and works great for almost everyone.

[afireintonto]

i heard that the sms app would allow landscape typing in 3.0
can anyone confirm this??

[Warbrain]

i heard that the sms app would allow landscape typing in 3.0
can anyone confirm this??

Uh...yea, that was explained in the Apple event in March.

[MacFly123]

WILL NOT HAPPEN PERIOD!

This thread should not even exist. When will people get this concept through their thick skulls??? :rolleyes:

The current multi-touch keyboard is beyond easy to type on at lightning speed, why do people keep pitching a fit? I think it is just the fat finger people I guess.

[afireintonto]

Uh...yea, that was explained in the Apple event in March.

thanks:]
i never watch those keynotes, i come here to read what all was said. i like the debate:]

[stutzedward]

it will make iPhone looks like HTC and it'll be ugly.