accessories - detachable hard keypad for touch screen - General Questions and Answers

Hi All,
my wife is not comfortable with mobile phones having only soft keypad. is there any hard keypad like alternate available so that it can be put on the phone / screen whenever required and later removed. i remember little back sony p800 series phones were having such solution available with them.
is there anyone manufacturing / marketing such products?
pls. help me with the details.
thanks

Related

Trying to decide between the Touch cruise and Kaiser...

I did a list of downsides for each (only in relation to each other).
Downsides of Kaiser:
- relatively Big and heavy.
Downsides of Touch Cruise: (from more worse to less worse)
- No cheap version (like AT&T's TILT - $500 USD).
- Insensitive touch screen.
- Bad reception on Bluetooth.
- Mediocre build quality (loose volume control, etc.)
- No hardware keyboard (becomes a bigger problem if the touch screen is insensitive).
- Smaller xda community (might change in the future).
It seems like the choice should be easy, but I just don't know how easy it will be for me to live with a 200 gram brick in my pocket...
As a former kaiser and now a polaris owner, I can say:
The Polaris is cheaper than the kaiser
the touch screen works just fine (same as with the tilt)
community for polaris & kaiser is almost the same
the polaris has more & newer functionality (applies to original rom)
As a former kaiser and now a polaris owner, I can say:
The Polaris is cheaper than the kaiser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, for the Kaiser there is the cheaper option of going with the AT&T TILT, which can be had NEW (with warranty) for $450-500 USD on ebay. The lowest price on ebay for which the Polaris can be bought is around $700 USD. That's a HUGE price difference, for two products which basically have similar functions and hardware.
the touch screen works just fine (same as with the tilt)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read just too many posts from people with the Polaris saying the touch screen is insensitive. Are you saying it's a non issue and both the touch screen sensitivity of the Polaris is not worse than the Kaiser ? (it's important for me to hear it from someone who came from the Kaiser).
Noam23 said:
I did a list of downsides for each (only in relation to each other).
Downsides of Kaiser:
- relatively Big and heavy.
Downsides of Touch Cruise: (from more worse to less worse)
- No cheap version (like AT&T's TILT - $500 USD).
- Insensitive touch screen.
- Bad reception on Bluetooth.
- Mediocre build quality (loose volume control, etc.)
- No hardware keyboard (becomes a bigger problem if the touch screen is insensitive).
- Smaller xda community (might change in the future).
It seems like the choice should be easy, but I just don't know how easy it will be for me to live with a 200 gram brick in my pocket...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a kaiser for 1 month or 2 also then sold it because I realized I didn't use the hardware keyboard as much as I thought I did.
When I took the cruise out of the box I thought it was a fake phone because it is lighter then the kaiser (obviously) and my s730, hell, even lighter then my Motorola v60 I think! lol
Here was my mini list
Kaiser:
More mechanical components mean greater chances of something physically breaking/wearing down. I drop kaiser on the city bus, I am screwed!
jog wheel works fine, but it's a little loose sometimes too, like the cruise volume slider (this thing is almost useless at the moment unless I can "work it in")
The hard keys on the front are great, but on a lot of kaisers, they are loose. I had two kaisers, and both hard key face plates were loose. had to send the first one back because depending on how much the plate had slid, i couldn't go up or down with the d pad.
I really liked the touch keypad that i installed on the kaiser, but the buttons were harder to press with thumb in corners or a long the side cuz of the groove where the screen meets the casing.
Kaiser is around the same size, but just a lot thicker obviously.
Thoughts on the cruise so far;
Volume slider sucks ass, have to use my nail to move it. Luckily whatever i am listening to i can either use that REALLY cool dial pad/jog wheel thing. I set hat more than I used the kaiser jog wheel. Or I use my headset.
The screen is flush with the sides and tops of the casing, so hitting buttons on the corners or sides are no problem, but if you have a case then it's the same as having a kaiser.
About the insensitive screen. I have to agree with you on that somewhat. With the kaiser, it looks like what's there is just the screen. But with the cruise, it looks like the screen is underneath another layer of something. This is how we have the flush face with the cruise, there is something else over the screen that the kaiser does not(i don't think at last) have. sometimes if you press hard enough (which you shouldn't have to do ) you can feel your thumb hit the "second screen" (the actual lcd), not the thing that we actually touch on top). It's hard to explain clearly
I have sensitives on very high using kaisertweak and playing with reg keys. I've got it pretty close to sensitivity of kaiser now. I do notice with cube i have to press a little hard to OPEN it, but not left or right or close it. kind of weird.
It's true about the communities, it is a little small right now, but also I think tytn i had abig following so it's natural tytn II would now also. but again, cruise and tytn ii are pretty much the same inside.
I bought my cruise for 699 Canadian, new.
The radio is really cool too (amazing, for such a high tech modern device, something as old school as an FM radio is what really impresses me.. lol)
Another gripe so far about cruise is that i dont know if its the rom i am using, or if its all roms, or if it's the extra layer over the screen, is that when I am typing out a message, with ANY keyboard, but ONLY in the messaging application, i get no feedback from the keys. Nothing highlights if i press it quickly. The letter appears, which is great, but i don't see any of the keys being highlighted unless i hold onto it longer. This could be the rom id downloaded, but i tried on 2 roms I think, and it might have even been like this on the original rom too, I can't remember. I am still trying to figure it out. But visual key feedback is very important to me. I didn't have that problem with the touch keyboard installed on the kaiser. I think I'll do some more testing on that tonight actually.
A few other things.. haha, on a roll.
With the Kaiser.. I noticed that the way I hold it with one had, my pointing finger woudl ALWAYS land on the damn camera lens because the lens is on the top half of the casing the back. Pretty annoying to obsessively clean that lens. With the cruise, the main camera is in the middle, and my finger does not touch it
I do admit the Kaiser is nicer to actually hold because of the rounder corners and it's thickness. If fits in the hand better.
The cruise has more of a rectangular/pointy shape. It takes a little getting use to but I didn't really notice the difference until today. Also, depends on how you hold it i guess.
Kaiser (i've never owned one, although I have a Hermes)too thick....looks dated (very shallow statement..I know)
Polaris..I've never had a problem with the touch screen...barring ofcourse when you try to select a different SIP from the taskbar.
The PocketCM keyboard is one the best touch software around...very intellegent...I was never a texter..but with this keyboard I very rarely have to backtrack my typing...and in general touch software is only going to get better.
besides IMVPO I dont like thick pullout keypads....
Just my 2 pence worth...
briggs81,
Thank you for your words.
From what you say I think I'll go with the TILT. I simply can't justify paying $200 USD more for the cruise. If they were both at the same price, I would have taken the cruise with its faults, but the price difference is the last straw.
In the following year I'm sure lots of great devices wil come out, including probably HTC devices with proper video drivers. We should always be ready to upgrade, and I don't feel the cruise is such a good investment at this time (if you're on a budget, that is).
Screen insensitive??? Lol, with the right tweak the screen is to sensitive haha...mine is quick and very alert for touches.
Yzord said:
Screen insensitive??? Lol, with the right tweak the screen is to sensitive haha...mine is quick and very alert for touches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe on your device, and in your opinion. No point in laughing.
Don't know about everyone else, but my screen is extremely sensitive, it has never missed a tap EVER. FYI, I roll w/o a screen protector (they ruin the look too much imo but I always keep the phone in its suede case when not in use). BTW, Kaiser is really a brick compared to the Polaris, and the polaris is pretty much a one handed phone for me whereas the Kaiser is definitely not, furthermore as far as looks there is really no competition. However, if you need the keyboard Kaiser is clearly the only choice. I emphasize need, bc you will most likely find that you get along just fine with the onscreen touch keyboard.
briggs81 said:
Maybe on your device, and in your opinion. No point in laughing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... this is true. There is not any touch-sensitivity problems with Polaris as it can easily (very easily) can be improved with some registry tweaks.
I own one of the first Touch Cruises (first one reported here in the Forum) and I also have a Kaiser for conducting an end-user custom ROM review. I am free to put my sim card in either device, but it always ends up in the Cruise. I have to force myself to keep the Kaiser active for any time over a few hours.
With the Kaiser custom ROM, I have all of the TouchFlo interface features as the Cruise. I have never perceived a problem with the screen sensitivity on the Cruise. To the contrary, I have more struggles with the Kaiser and most often, I find the landscape/portrait getting out of sync due to accidentally nudging the screen slider on then back off before the swap has time to apply. If you're bothered by the pointy corners on the Cruise, get the Orbit II but this is really only cosmetics. For me I have no issues with the volume slider on the Crusie. The scroll wheel is kind of free and easy, but for the limited number of times I've ever needed to use it, it works fine. I think you can tell which device I prefer. For me, even if it were $200-$250 less for the AT&T Tilt, I don't like it sitting side by side with the Cruise.
Indeed you can edit the registry setting for the sensitivity of the screen, although it is not needed (atleast for me).
I find it strange that you have to pay 200 dollars more for a cruise then a kaiser.
A kaiser here costs around 670 euro, the cruise costs about 500 euro
Also the pictures I am taking have far more better quality then on the kaiser.
Maybe my lense on the kaiser wasnt clean enough, i don't know.
But as said before here, the position of the camera is way better then on the kaiser. No more fears for dirty fingers on the lense
I switched from kaiser to touch cruise and until now i hadnt have one moment of regret
Damn it guys, you are making this decision harder for me
Regarding the screen of the touch cruise, how can you protect it if it's on the same plane with the sides of the device, I mean, how will the screen protector stay in one place and not move ?
I find it strange that you have to pay 200 dollars more for a cruise then a kaiser.
A kaiser here costs around 670 euro, the cruise costs about 500 euro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because you don't have the AT&T TILT version of the Kaiser in europe.
Regarding the screen of the touch cruise, how can you protect it if it's on the same plane with the sides of the device, I mean, how will the screen protector stay in one place and not move ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TC comes with a screen protector which sticks to the screen via adhesive (I haven't put it on though as I'm careful with the phone and keep it in its oem suede/microfiber case when I'm not on the phone).
BTW, I was actually in a position to get the ATT Tilt for just $100 after rebates and discounts...I still chose the Touch Cruise as its ridiculously better looking and a lot more usable for me as the flush screen paired w/Touch Flo allows for one handed usage (one-handed usage is key for me, esp as I'm a former Smartphone user).
FYI: I did pick up another smartphone from ATT to sell on eBay so that I could in a way subsidize the cost of the Polaris.
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
The TC comes with a screen protector which sticks to the screen via adhesive (I haven't put it on though as I'm careful with the phone and keep it in its oem suede/microfiber case when I'm not on the phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But can't it still catch a scratch from the stylus ?, is the screen of the touch cruise less prone to scratches ? (like the Iphone)
Also, using adhesive will destroy the look of the phone, no ?, and how will you take it off if you want without leaving residue ?
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity is for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, it will be easier using a stylus with the Kaiser than with the Cuise ?, a lot of software is still for stylus only...
I have never found a need for using a screen protector on any of my devices. As they have been passed down through my teenage sons, they too have learned proper care and use of the screens. With the Cruise, I definitely don't like to prospect of having a 'sticker' on the face if it. Just learn how to properly care for and use your screen and it will last.
I have never found a need for using a screen protector on any of my devices. As they have been passed down through my teenage sons, they too have learned proper care and use of the screens. With the Cruise, I definitely don't like to prospect of having a 'sticker' on the face if it. Just learn how to properly care for and use your screen and it will last.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I intend to put the phone in my jean's pocket (without anything else) with the screen toward the leg.
Could this thing cause a problem ?
alipi2007 said:
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this issue, its easy for me to use my finger just as it is easy to use the stylus. Both require very little pressure. I did use a Kaiser in a shop once, and it actually required a lot of pressure (prob due screen protector they had installed on it).
I intend to put the phone in my jean's pocket (without anything else) with the screen toward the leg.
Could this thing cause a problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't think so.... but I would still use the oem suede/microfiber sheath, as its extremely thin and doesn't add to the bulk of the device, but protects it from lint, and any inadverdent scratches just in case something happens to already be in your pocket.
But can't it still catch a scratch from the stylus ?, is the screen of the touch cruise less prone to scratches ? (like the Iphone)
Also, using adhesive will destroy the look of the phone, no ?, and how will you take it off if you want without leaving residue ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen seems very resistant to scratches from the stylus and the stylus glides across the screen without any resistance. In fact, you got me curious and I applied a moderate amount of strength to the stylus just to see and its still smooth as silk without any scratching.
As far as the adhesive from the screen protector, my guess is that this is a non-issue. I don't use screen protectors as they tend to look kind of cheap, but I'd imagine if it did leave any residue behind, it could be cleaned up fairly easily.

Restore original kb layout on Fuze using Dummy keys

It occurred to me that it may be possible to swap the keys from a Fuze with the keys from a Dummy Touch Pro in order to get a NAM GSM Touch Pro with the original layout. I remember playing with a CDMA Touch Pro dummy and the keys depressed like a regular keyboard. Normally I would order the service parts online, but there don't seem to be any available yet.
Note that I am talking about the physical layout. As you know it is easy to switch between Fuze and original layout in software.
Anyone care to comment on this idea?
Usually the parts on dummy devices won't work. As the cases aren't the real thing the few parts attach differently therefore would be problematic attaching to a real case.
Indeed, I would need to take the two apart to see how they compare. Most often keys are simply pieces of plastic that sit on either rubber or plastic and the functionality is not contained within the key itself.
I mean I could get little stickers to cover up the Fuze key symbols, but this may provide a fairly inexpensive (>$30) physical solution.
I'm also talking about taking the 60 or seventy keys and swapping them with the keys on the Fuze. It would require taking the keyboard completely apart.
OK, so I have obtained a Raphael service manual, so I should be able to disassemble it without destroying anything.
Am I the only one crazy enough to think this is worth while?
trueg said:
OK, so I have obtained a Raphael service manual, so I should be able to disassemble it without destroying anything.
Am I the only one crazy enough to think this is worth while?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it does work, everyone will think you're a genius (and the cost of dummies will go through the roof). Make sure to let us know. The keyboard is my major annoyance with the FUZE. Why create a custom keyboard when everyone knows where the keys are on a QWERTY!
Just wanted to update this thread for historical purposes. Looks like I just had to give it some time.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=479273
Turns out the keyboard just sticks on. Had I went and purchased the dummy, I could very well have simply pulled off the keyboard and swapped it for the one on my Fuze. Buying the dummy would now be overkill since you can simply purchase the OEM keyboard for $10.
http://www.gsm4world.us/htc-touch-pro-htc-raphael-100-oem-inner-keyboard-d-02161_405.html
Cheers

Identifying a HTC clone ... and fixing it.

I recently bought a HTC touch phone and i suspect it is a Chinese clone but i really dont know. They all look the same to me (the phones). After searching Xda it appears to be like the HTC Elf100 and dopod S1. Is there a definitive way to tell the exact model? The phone was purchased from a website called Deal Extreme.
I would like to know if it is possible to extract the ROM from the phone and save it onto my computer for back up.
More importantly (and the reason i am here) is that the screen is malfunctioning in that the colours are all very faded and there are black lines across the length of the screen wherever there is text or icons. There is a severe flicker when the backlight is set to anything other than full brightness. For the first three days the screen was crystal clear and the colours very vibrant. The only changes made were installing some third party softwares and applying a screen protector.
I have uploaded an image here:
http://www.ibj.co.nz/vlt/CamScreen.jpg
I am trying to isolate the problem down to software or hardware. If it is hardware i will order another screen or digitizer and replace it and if it is software i will begin to look down that path, perhaps flashing the unit with more up to date ROM.
Tell us one thing, is the serial number in the following format? -> HTxxxGxxxxx, if Yes you have have original HTC Touch, if No, you have a nice Chinese clone.
If the back of the device underneath the battery looks like attached picture, you have the clone on your hands. you will have to ship it back to DX for replacement or repair.
Regards
Just from looking at the front of your phone, yes you have a clone
Yep CLone
OK Thanks for assistance. I have a clone here. DX offered to send me a replacement screen if i can locate one on their website. I would have thought they would know if they have one in stock but apparently not.
Can anyone think of a way to find what sort of a screen i would need to replace this one? I am told that the original HTC screen will not do, perhaps different pin outs.
Replacement screen
So i guess i am just sh#t out o luck then? The retailers can't find a replacement screen. Can the ridgy didge screen be modified to fit a clone?
Don't know. Since it's a clone they can have used whatever LCD, with whatever flex connector. But one thing for sure is that you wont be able to use original HTC Touch LCD.
Best option is to ship back to DX for replacement.
Regards

XPERIA X1 vs touch diamond2

which one is better to get.
i can get both phone on almost same price in used condition.
Mmm hard one, if you like a d-pad & hardware keyboard the x1 is your device, I just set up a Diamond 2 for a work friend, quite a nice device but I did miss d-pad & a hardware keyboard is simply better than any touchscreen for serious typing.
any suggestions?
As a diamond2 user myself, i would definitely go for the x1 just for the keyboard.
If typing is not that important to you, you should probably go for diamond2.
I have X1 for about year and a half. After few months of use it developed a crack in the housing (standard issue). Today physical keyboard is pain to use, since bottom row buttons barely register presses (sometimes nothing, sometimes 3-4 letters at once). At least in my case, my xperia's build quality is terrible.
Another issue is the SOD (appears on most ROM's with Sense), when phone freezes overnight just when just have to wake up on time in the morning.
If I was looking for a used phone with a keyboard, I would probably look some more for a TouchPro.
well typing is not that important to me.
cheekugr8 said:
well typing is not that important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case I would probably go with a Diamond 2 & load it with a 6.5.3 series ROM making it more UI touch friendly.
The Diamond is a nice sized device, has g-sensor & a practical notification LED.
Another plus is build quality is good & the Topaz forum is very active.
how about screen resolution?
which one has the more sharp colors and bright screen?
Have a look here for a detailed comparative where all your questions will be answered

Broken touchscreen :eek:

Hello dear community, my dreadiest fear just realized today :
my X2 decided to make one with the concrete...
luckily, both with my heart, only the touchscreen shattered from this unholy union.
So now I want to replace only the broken thing (less expensive) with a replacement part I found on aliexpress (25 € for those wandering), BUT I was unable to find any clue about the separation of the LCD and the touchscreen :
Are they inextricably bound together as the galaxy S series are ?
Or are they just attached with some tape as any good reparable phone should be ?
I was also wandering whether the screen parts were the same between the X1 and the X2 !
If you have any material showing how to proceed with the separation, and care to share them, I'd be in your dept forever !!
Boujou bien !
kwenteen said:
Hello dear community, my dreadiest fear just realized today :
my X2 decided to make one with the concrete...
luckily, both with my heart, only the touchscreen shattered from this unholy union.
So now I want to replace only the broken thing (less expensive) with a replacement part I found on aliexpress (25 € for those wandering), BUT I was unable to find any clue about the separation of the LCD and the touchscreen :
Are they inextricably bound together as the galaxy S series are ?
Or are they just attached with some tape as any good reparable phone should be ?
I was also wandering whether the screen parts were the same between the X1 and the X2 !
If you have any material showing how to proceed with the separation, and care to share them, I'd be in your dept forever !!
Boujou bien !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The disassembly should be the same as the X1 video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NOG1SISbKw
Yes I have seen this video, but it is only showing the removing of the screen/touchscreen from the phone, not the separation of the LCD from the touchscreen (they are both broken in the video, hence no point to mess with them !)
kwenteen said:
Yes I have seen this video, but it is only showing the removing of the screen/touchscreen from the phone, not the separation of the LCD from the touchscreen (they are both broken in the video, hence no point to mess with them !)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are fused together so it's not even worth trying to remove them. 99.99% of the time you won't be successful.
Good to know !
I almost succeeded once, with a heated bench, But I'm not willing to try that again…
Did you have to fix yours already ? Any clue about backward compatibility with the X1 assembly (20 % cheaper !) ?
kwenteen said:
Good to know !
I almost succeeded once, with a heated bench, But I'm not willing to try that again…
Did you have to fix yours already ? Any clue about backward compatibility with the X1 assembly (20 % cheaper !) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine they would be the same display assembly but I'm not 100 percent sure.
I Sat on my Huawei honor X2 -Screen is not working Properly
Hello (posted this in wrong area a few weeks ago)
I sat on my X2 GEM-703L under several pillows - bend was 1/2 inch - the top & bottom were 1/2 inch lower than center . I carefully bent it straight (there is a small kink in metal frame right side just above center button. Everything else seems to work beside the screen. *** I will push "4" and the key adjacent character is recognized, also it will type on its own or type 3-5 characters when I only pushed one...
Questions:. Does this sound like touch screen Replacement will fix these issues??? Or is thier additional interface hardware attached with the touch screen, or both?
- I really like that phone - hoping it is not a lost cause...
Thanks for your help
Gary
Gary2017 said:
Hello
Questions:. Does this sound like touch screen Replacement will fix these issues??? Or is thier additional interface hardware attached with the touch screen, or both?
- I really like that phone - hoping it is not a lost cause...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Gary, sorry just saw your post.
I Think this might be fixed by a change of screen, but the problem might also come from the bent frame too.
For the tactile to work properly, and not register wrong input, the screen needs to be grounded and I think also calibrated to the phone caracteristics. If you just replace the screen, it's environment would not be the same as it is suppose to be anymore (frame with a kink) hence there is a risk that the new screen might reacts weirdly, registering ghost input etc... Because the screen might not rest flat on the support frame, and the contacts used for grounding might not be working anymore.
I have a spare screen that I*just bought for mine, unfortunately my problem seems to come from the motherboard, so the screen is useless for me.
If you want to give it a try, and live in the US, pm me !
If you don't want to do it (the screen comes without a frame, so you have to use your old one)
I'm willing to buy your phone to try to save mine ! :angel:
Best,
Quentin.

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