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iPhone with physical keyboard; would you prefer that?
- Thread starter orange42
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I've never liked using the QWERTY keyboards on phones. I would not like it if the iPhone had one. This would also make the iPhone thicker, which would suck.
Also, they have one single iPhone for many different languages. They would have to produce a lot more different versions to accommodate other languages.
Also, they have one single iPhone for many different languages. They would have to produce a lot more different versions to accommodate other languages.
No, but I would like the option of an external full size fold-up keyboard, like I had for my Palm.
While I may be able to type slightly faster with a thumb keyboard compared to a virtual keyboard, it's not enough difference to be worth the extra bulk of the physical keyboard. Especially now that several apps are coming out which allow editing Office documents on the iPhone, I would like the option when traveling, of just bringing my iPhone plus a fold-up keyboard, rather than a laptop. I traveled all around Europe and Asia with my Palm TX and a foldup keyboard, which was great for writing in my journal, and writing emails which I could then send whenever I had a wifi connection available.
While I may be able to type slightly faster with a thumb keyboard compared to a virtual keyboard, it's not enough difference to be worth the extra bulk of the physical keyboard. Especially now that several apps are coming out which allow editing Office documents on the iPhone, I would like the option when traveling, of just bringing my iPhone plus a fold-up keyboard, rather than a laptop. I traveled all around Europe and Asia with my Palm TX and a foldup keyboard, which was great for writing in my journal, and writing emails which I could then send whenever I had a wifi connection available.
The biggest issue I have with the on-screen keyboard is exactly that - it's on screen and takes up a ton of real estate (particularly in landscape mode).
What might be quite cool would be a slide out touch sensitive landscape keyboard made from an oled display so it could still be configurable, and be thin enough to not add too much bulk - imagine the iPhone as thick as it is now but with the display sliding forward just below the chrome bezel.
What might be quite cool would be a slide out touch sensitive landscape keyboard made from an oled display so it could still be configurable, and be thin enough to not add too much bulk - imagine the iPhone as thick as it is now but with the display sliding forward just below the chrome bezel.
Agreed.
The iPhone is big/thick enough for me; I'd hate to have to make room for a physical keyboard. Also, I've used a BlackJack 2, and numerous Blackberries and I hate them all. The virtual intelligent keyboard is just that, intelligent.
Also, prices of the iPhone will surely go up to accommodate for new physical keyboards in every language. They wouldn't be able to use economies of scale for such physical keyboards as they do now.
Well Blackberries I think are fine cause it's not a flip or slide phone. Like the Pre and Voyager type keyboards are what I mean and make those phones much less appealing to me.
Yup, same for me. After using and loving the soft keyboard I would not use a physical one, unless it was perfect.
ChrisN
If Apple made one with a physical keyboard, they'd nee to make 30+ different models of it for each language.
Then, you wouldn't be able to switch the keyboards on the fly if you speak multiple languages.
Then, you wouldn't be able to switch the keyboards on the fly if you speak multiple languages.
First of all, it will never happen. When Apple designed the iPhone, the reason they developed the touch keyboard was because they wanted the iPhone to have no moving parts and be as thin as possible.
Aside from that, after having my iPhone for over a year now, whenever I try typing on the demo phones at the store that have the physical keyboard, they are slower and awkward. With the iPhone, you just "close your eyes" and type super fast and the software automatically corrects any errors (sure, you probably want to proof-read it, but you'd be doing that anyway). You don't have to worry about pressing a specific physical key either.
Aside from that, after having my iPhone for over a year now, whenever I try typing on the demo phones at the store that have the physical keyboard, they are slower and awkward. With the iPhone, you just "close your eyes" and type super fast and the software automatically corrects any errors (sure, you probably want to proof-read it, but you'd be doing that anyway). You don't have to worry about pressing a specific physical key either.
"c" for crap?
This is now possible with the accessory talk API, right?. Hope someone makes one. Would love it for the Quickoffice app.
Use the force.
I tried the keyboard on my wife's Palm.
I wasn't sure the best way of using it. I ended up using a fingernail to hit the right key.
It took quite a bit of force to depress the key. I estimate the amount of force needed was a few grams. (Perhaps half an ounce)
For the iPhone the amount of fingertip pressure is much less. Perhaps a quarter of that amount of physical force.
And I think that's what you either love or hate. For me only having to brush the surface with the lightest possible touch makes the virtual keyboard very fast indeed. Having to apply force to depress the key would slow me down.
But I think people used to physical keyboards like to rest their fingers on the keyboard and press harder when they are over the right key.
C.
I tried the keyboard on my wife's Palm.
I wasn't sure the best way of using it. I ended up using a fingernail to hit the right key.
It took quite a bit of force to depress the key. I estimate the amount of force needed was a few grams. (Perhaps half an ounce)
For the iPhone the amount of fingertip pressure is much less. Perhaps a quarter of that amount of physical force.
And I think that's what you either love or hate. For me only having to brush the surface with the lightest possible touch makes the virtual keyboard very fast indeed. Having to apply force to depress the key would slow me down.
But I think people used to physical keyboards like to rest their fingers on the keyboard and press harder when they are over the right key.
C.
For many, this will make the iPhone a replacement for their laptop when traveling.
I remember in the days of using the Newton, Palm and Windows CE devices, that an external keyboard allowed me to input my text fast enough to the point I didn't need to carry my laptop with me. I just emailed my text to myself and when I returned I would cut and paste into my report. Sweet.
I'm curious why people say they require a physical keyboard. I'm not saying they don't, but I'm curious what advantages a physical keyboard has, beyond tactile feedback.
It shouldn't take any amount of pressure on the iPhone as it's done via the static electricity in your body, so simply having your finger barely touch it should be enough.
Ditto, a BT folding keyboard would be a great accessory for student and travelers who want to use the seat back tray as a work space.