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Apple Testing iPhones with Physical Keyboards?

Stupid!

This sounds like BS. I don't think Apple is going in this direction. It makes no sense.... it would make sense for them to offer a foldable bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone. I think this article is just a waste of time... someone's joke.
 
The Register, the new source of exclusive tech news? How about a self important journalist who figures if he writes something sensational enough, he'll boost his hit count?

Which is more likely? A journalist at the Register having access to Apple's top secret prototypes, or inventing copy to sell more papers? :/
 
benpatient said:
if auto-correct wasn't constantly incorrectly correcting me, I would say that a physical keyboard isn't necessary. The sad fact is that in its current state the iphone keyboard is not "smart" enough.

every time I've used one, it drives me crazy. There's actually very little keeping me from an iphone now that the 3G one is coming...but I just can't stand constantly going back and fixing the "corrections." Have you ever tried to type "blackberry" on an iphone? it is hilarious. The best part is that OS X "proper" is the opposite. every instance of "iphone" in my post is underlined as being misspelled...but blackberry is in the dictionary!

ironic.
Click to expand...

Dude... your post makes no sense? I tried iphone, blackberry, OSX what ever on my iPhone with no issues??? If you DON'T actually have an iPhone and have only played with one in the Apple store, then that is the problem... It took me convincing myself to "just type". It seems the harder you try to be exact with the iPhone keyboard the worse it is.... just "go for it" and type and it seems to do things right 99% of the time.
 
Is it needed?

i said earlier on in this post that i can type just as fast on the iPhone as i can on a full sized keyboard.

Here are some pics;


Landscape iPhone


Portrait iPhone


Full size laptop keyboard

So why is a physical keyboard needed?

All results are first time results.
iPhone tests were done on an 8Gb iPhone running iPhone software version 1.1.4
Full size keyboard test was conducted on an Acer Aspire 9300 running Windows XP SP2 in Safari.

All test were conducted here
 
You folks may poo-poo the idea of a next-generation iPhone with a real keyboard, but this is not as crazy an idea as you think. After all, why do you think the LG Voyager cellphone has a built-in keyboard, and just about all Blackberry devices also have real keyboards?

I think Apple will put in a real keyboard on its third generation iPhone because Apple wants this model to become a true, viable alternative to the Blackberry devices out there.
 
Rhalliwell1 said:
i said earlier on in this post that i can type just as fast on the iPhone as i can on a full sized keyboard.

Here are some pics;


Landscape iPhone


Portrait iPhone


Full size laptop keyboard

So why is a physical keyboard needed?

All results are first time results.
iPhone tests were done on an 8Gb iPhone running iPhone software version 1.1.4
Full size keyboard test was conducted on an Acer Aspire 9300 running Windows XP SP2 in Safari.

All test were conducted here
Click to expand...

So the "accomplishments" of some nerd typing means the rest of the population wouldn't have a need for a physical keyboard?
 
Jeez, tons of negative feedback.

I think a physical keyboard is a *great* idea. Honestly, having both is the best. Windows PocketPC phones generally have both, but the onscreen keybd is 95% USELESS without the stylus.

Where they keyboard will always win is in allowing you to dedicate all screen real-estate to your program. On the go, keyboards suck.. touch-screen is faster.. but if you're in a meeting or at a place where you can fully concentrate, a keyboard makes quite a nice difference.

The way Apple can maintain its edge is by making a nice keyboard.. slim, durable.. etc. Frankly I think it'll be a huge hit.

However, for me, a much more important feature is tethering. That in itself is keeping me from switching. :rolleyes:
 
poppycock!

Sorry, don't buy this story for a minute. Apple will never do a physical keyboard on the iPhone, b/c it's a step backwards. So what if corporate America is used to physical buttons? If they want to join the iPhone party, they'll get used to the touch screen, and they'll realize how much better it really is..

Apple is known as a leader of new concepts, not a follower of tired old ideas. i don't believe this story. The end.
 
MM2270 said:
Sorry, don't buy this story for a minute. Apple will never do a physical keyboard on the iPhone, b/c it's a step backwards. So what if corporate America is used to physical buttons? If they want to join the iPhone party, they'll get used to the touch screen, and they'll realize how much better it really is..

Apple is known as a leader of new concepts, not a follower of tired old ideas. i don't believe this story. The end.
Click to expand...

Reverse-poppycock! You say that like Apple doesn't have keyboards and mice on their computers and that everything Apple does is new and original. Like there's no middle ground. As I said in a previous post, screen real estate is valuable, and being able to separate data entry from your view improves this.

Anyway, who said Apple has to follow the leader. Unlike most of their overly-keyboarded competitors, they don't have to create a button for everything or do that annoying thing phone mfgrs do where every button has a secondary feature.. Instead they can focus on just the very basics. Also, who's to say they don't add a whole second touch screen similar to the nintendo DS?
 
Landscape Keypad Orientation

As long as iPhone 2.0 software enables Landscape Keypad Orientation in ALL apps (not just URL entry), this will help greatly.

On the other hand, I'm not entirely opposed to having a horizontal type slider on a future iPhone.
 
caprica said:
Hurrah .. finally a real keyboard.

I find typing on my ipod touch an absolute nightmare my big clumsy fungers on that glasz screan mean I keep on hitting the wrung keys ....

Now there is a real reason to give up your blackberry and come over to the light side of the force
Click to expand...


Looks like you don't do very well on any keyboard.....:eek:
 
Popeye206 said:
This sounds like BS. I don't think Apple is going in this direction. It makes no sense.... it would make sense for them to offer a foldable bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone. I think this article is just a waste of time... someone's joke.
Click to expand...

You mean like when someone said loudly that the next version of OSX is NOT going to be called "Snow Leopard" and then a few days later it was verified that it IS called that? :D

There are several indicators that show that Apple is gearing up to tackle the Enterprise market and business users in general. I can see Steve Jobs announcing something along the lines of listening to Enterprise users; it happened with other 2.0 features like Exchange support. Who would have thought Apple would license that from Microsoft for iPhone a year ago? It's counter intuitive to support your rival, but if that's what it takes to break into new markets then you do it anyway.

Frankly, if true, this would be one of the few smart hardware decisions I've seen from Apple lately. Now if they'd just offer Enterprise level Macs (i.e. cheaper, Mac-Mini type priced small towers that are easily maintained and upgraded for business needs) and offer a gaming level Mac (mid-range tower with a good graphics card), they'd really prove they're serious about replacing Windows in vital markets. iMacs and Mac-Minis are niche products by comparison being pushed as mainstream. They simply don't fit what some people need. I bought a used PowerMac instead and upgraded it for my needs, for example, rather than buy something that would make a MESS all over my desk (i.e. all iMac expansion is EXTERNAL and my desk has a nice nook for a tower so why would I want boxes all over the top of my desk when I can park the tower with everythign INSIDE IT in that desk nook? Mac Pros cost too much for non-professionals so it wasn't a realistic option.)
 
I have to say i'm in between the camps at the moment. There are times where I'm listening to my iPod and surfing or typing an e-mail with my iPhone and the keyboard lags...badly. I love the prospect of not experiencing that lag with a physical keyboard.
 
At first, I missed real keys, but only on the phone part (I want to be able to use the phone and dial with one hand). The touchscreen allows you to design the keypad any way you want.

As far as real keys, I was at the cell store yesterday and those "real keys" seem to be getting more and more micro-scopic... :eek:
 
Rhalliwell1 said:
i said earlier on in this post that i can type just as fast on the iPhone as i can on a full sized keyboard.

Here are some pics;

[snip]
Landscape iPhone

[snip]
Portrait iPhone

[snip]
Full size laptop keyboard

So why is a physical keyboard needed?

All results are first time results.
iPhone tests were done on an 8Gb iPhone running iPhone software version 1.1.4
Full size keyboard test was conducted on an Acer Aspire 9300 running Windows XP SP2 in Safari.

All test were conducted here
Click to expand...

I want a video
That's pretty amazing
 
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