Who here misses their smartphone with a physical keyboard? - General Questions and Answers

Honestly, I don't think I can do this whole touch screen phones anymore. My first smartphone was a palm Treo 650 and it ran like a champ.. I had then bought a touchpro but the touchscreen keyboard, along with that landscape keyboard just wasn't cutting it(plus I thought windows mobile was pretty sluggish) anyways I don't want to bore you with all the phones I've owned throughout the years but I've had alot.
At the end of the day I'm trying to be productive, whether it be me shooting an email real quick, replying to a message or pulling up a contact to call, it's all easier, and a hell of a lot faster on a device with a keyboard. The best device to do this on would of been the dell venue pro. Nice size screen, nice slide out keyboard but one problem for me, it wasn't running android.
I don't care what anyone says, a touchscreen keyboard can never replace a physical keyboard, I don't care how well the auto correct or prediction is(I'm using swiftkey). I think I had the best experience with a touch screen keyboard with the iphone 4 and nexus s running ics but it still wasn't cutting it.
I think I'm gonna go back to my Droid pro, hell I might pick up a Droid pro plus. I need to productive, I need to be able to respond to texts messages with a quickness.. Not have to keep back spacing like I am now because of how off the auto correct is. I need to safely be able to text and drive (yes this can be done on phones with portrait style keyboards) I need to be able to flow like water and be smooth like butter when it comes to taking down notes, adding people, adding an event in a calendar.
Why am I riding this? Because I miss my Treo 650, my Treo 755p, my Palm Pre, nokia e71and yes, even my old ass blackberry curve lol. I'm sure some of you can relate to my situation.
What sucks is that the current portrait style android phones out there seem to be those cheap budget phones. The only I've seen that's somewhat high end was the Motorola admiral for sprint. Such a sexy phone but it's not gsm!
In all honesty I hope RIM fails at their next OS and decides to start selling handsets running android, that would be sweet.
Hell who knows maybe ill jump ship to a blackberry but I. Honestly don't see myself doing that.
Sorry for this thread, I guess this was a little bit of venting and hoping there's a few out there that can relate to me haha
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

I kinda agree... yes there are some Android QWERTY devices such as the Galaxy Y Pro and the Moto Droid. But you kinda have to think, Android on a small screen doesnt work... It works for BlackBerryOS as they have been built for the QWERTY type but Android needs to have a large 4.0+ screen... hence why we have slideout ones... An alternative to the BlackBerry is THE LEGENDARY SONY ERICSSON P1I SYMBIAN UIQ3 PHONE which I am using at the minute as the devices under in my sig are gone back / sold for a HTC One X, Galaxy Note II and something cool. All I have is the AsusPrime and im waiting for my SensationXL

Earlier i was using Galaxy 551 which had a physical keyboard but i didn't use them much.. It was okay typing on touchscreen
I never care for physical keyboard while it comes to buying new phone for me or suggesting some friends out thr....
Now im well accustomed and feel lot comfortable typing on touchscreen....
Sent from my GT-I9103

I had one that had a physical slide-out keyboard. SE X10 Mini Pro. Was not a bad phone for the price but was very small and battery hungry.
With that said i kind of miss having a keyboard, but it makes for a bigger phone, which i don't like.

I still use my HTC G2 every now and then because of the physical keyboard. However if we were to go use physical keyboards again, I would be very picky about which one I want. The one on the G2 takes more pressure than I would like and it slows down my typing. Whereas the keyboard on the Samsung Captivate Glide/Epic 4G was perfect for me. The one on the G2 wouldn't bother me as much had it'd been a bigger phone. 4" display is pretty good for the keyboard phones: that's one thing I envied about the Droid 3.
But a 4.3" display with a keyboard would be even better for me. Maybe the trend will come back as most buyers want a light slate-phone more than anything. I'm hopeful a "HTC G3" will be the answer.

This is my HTC Universal 2005 (still works great), the best hardware keyboard device ever build!
Wish HTC launch a newer device with H/Kb
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MO3iusONE said:
Honestly, I don't think I can do this whole touch screen phones anymore. My first smartphone was a palm Treo 650 and it ran like a champ.. I had then bought a touchpro but the touchscreen keyboard, along with that landscape keyboard just wasn't cutting it(plus I thought windows mobile was pretty sluggish) anyways I don't want to bore you with all the phones I've owned throughout the years but I've had alot.
At the end of the day I'm trying to be productive, whether it be me shooting an email real quick, replying to a message or pulling up a contact to call, it's all easier, and a hell of a lot faster on a device with a keyboard. The best device to do this on would of been the dell venue pro. Nice size screen, nice slide out keyboard but one problem for me, it wasn't running android.
I don't care what anyone says, a touchscreen keyboard can never replace a physical keyboard, I don't care how well the auto correct or prediction is(I'm using swiftkey). I think I had the best experience with a touch screen keyboard with the iphone 4 and nexus s running ics but it still wasn't cutting it.
I think I'm gonna go back to my Droid pro, hell I might pick up a Droid pro plus. I need to productive, I need to be able to respond to texts messages with a quickness.. Not have to keep back spacing like I am now because of how off the auto correct is. I need to safely be able to text and drive (yes this can be done on phones with portrait style keyboards) I need to be able to flow like water and be smooth like butter when it comes to taking down notes, adding people, adding an event in a calendar.
Why am I riding this? Because I miss my Treo 650, my Treo 755p, my Palm Pre, nokia e71and yes, even my old ass blackberry curve lol. I'm sure some of you can relate to my situation.
What sucks is that the current portrait style android phones out there seem to be those cheap budget phones. The only I've seen that's somewhat high end was the Motorola admiral for sprint. Such a sexy phone but it's not gsm!
In all honesty I hope RIM fails at their next OS and decides to start selling handsets running android, that would be sweet.
Hell who knows maybe ill jump ship to a blackberry but I. Honestly don't see myself doing that.
Sorry for this thread, I guess this was a little bit of venting and hoping there's a few out there that can relate to me haha
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
texting while driving is now illegal in most states.. it cannot be done safely.. a young kid is in jail for killing someone while doing that.

Comfortable typing on screen
But will always prefer H/kb.
Even with clean fingertips oil from skin still smudges screen from time to time.
I like keeping my screen clean without having to Screen Wipes after just a cpl txt msgs.
Unless they come out with a felt fingertip attachment thats touch screen compatible I wont be 100% content with touch screen kb.

firehopper said:
texting while driving is now illegal in most states.. it cannot be done safely.. a young kid is in jail for killing someone while doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I read about that. It cannot be done safely on a all touchscreen phone, ie iphone, evo, galaxy, etc.. But phones such as blackberry, an old palm pre, basically anything with a portrait style keyboards is doable.. Would I advise. It? Probably not but if kids are gonna text and drive cause let's be honest, their gonna be doing it, give them a portrait style keyboards, physical keys all the way.
Also, I never been a big fan of landscape keyboard. I feel their too slow, takes too long to slide out that keyboard, wait for the screen to rotate, although that has gotten better. Plus you can't type with one hand on a phone like that. That's why portrait keyboards are awesome. Everything is so jumbled up close together that when it comes to typing on that keyboard, it's easy. I had posted a video years ago on YouTube, me typing on a palm pre and I was quick with it. Once your thumbs get the hang of where all the keys are, typing just becomes a breeze
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

Google the dell venue pro. The screen is ideal and they keyboard is nice and spacious. In all honesty ill go back to my Droid pro and use this one x as a weekend phone or something.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

Related

**Touch Dimond PRO2** "NO" 5MP :(

I hope this is not any where esle, I was trying to find to make sure this is not a second post. Sorry if it is.
Check this out............Touch diamond Pro2
emember that leaked HTC 2009 roadmap? Well, it turns out, that thing was pretty spot on. HTC has just gone and announced updates to their ever-popular handsets, the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro. The Touch Diamond2, as you might have guessed, is the new Touch Diamond. It adds a larger display (3.2″ WVGA with touch sensitive zoom bar), a new and improved TouchFLO 3D and 5 megapixel camera. All in an updated and refined exterior casing.
Here’s where things get really interesting, though… We were lucky enough to get some hands on time with the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2, but oh boy, the Touch Pro2 really stole the spotlight. We’re talking about Windows Mobile phone of the year and it’s only February! The Touch Pro2 is a mash-up of the TyTN II, the Touch HD, and the Touch Pro (yes, the tilting screen is back). It has a huge 3.6″ WVGA screen, one of the best QWERTY keyboards we’ve ever seen, a brand new TouchFLO 3D (it includes HTC’s Straight Talk which combines all communication into a fluid UI. Think Palm Pre-esque) and a really cool feature that activates the speakerphone when the phone is flipped upside down. Oh yeah, there’s a mute button on the back of the device for when you want to mute the conference. Awesome. Sadly the camera did not get upgraded to 5 megapixels (something that really would have absolutely sealed the deal) but there’s always the Touch Pro3. Nokia N97, what? (check it out here)
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Bugger. I've only just cleared the credit card after buying the pro.
Engadget review here - http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/16/htc-touch-pro2-is-awesome-in-ways-the-touch-pro-never-could-be/
edit - your thread title says yes 5mp, should read no 5mp! It's still a 3.2mp camera.
Hmmm, I still think I'll wait for the first WinMo 6.5 phones to come out, and you can bet HTC will get in there early. I prefer the idea of a native touch OS to a stylus OS with a touch GUI slapped on top of it.
Apart from the conference call stuff (which I wouldn't use), the only thing that appeals is the bigger screen (which I believe Tomtom 6 won't run on due to the WVGA resolution?) and the keyboard tilt. Neither are quite worth the upgrade costs.
WinMo 6.5 is due out, what, Q2? Same time as the Touch Pro 2?
holy crap! the TP2 looks awesome. dammit htc, why did you guys come up to a successor so soon!!
Jim Coleman said:
Apart from the conference call stuff (which I wouldn't use), the only thing that appeals is the bigger screen (which I believe Tomtom 6 won't run on due to the WVGA resolution?) and the keyboard tilt. Neither are quite worth the upgrade costs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Come on guys. We have to show HTC that we are not ships. They gave us a 3,6 screen and an old fashion style (TyTN II) and they expect us to give 700 euros for this?
They do not even fix Touch Pro (1) GPS problems.
This is just marketing. We need new (working) technology.
By the way this is the answer to my email for Pro 's GPS problem which I recieved Feb 5th 2009 (!!!)
Thank you for contacting HTC Europe Technical Support. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in our reply to your email dated <29/9/2008> as we were facing some technical issues with our systems.
With reference to your inquiry regarding HTC touch pro, Gps issue, you must contact Tomtom to know the compatible version of totmotm with your device.
Do you realy think we have to upgrade?
also disscussed in the news http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=483293
no dpad is not cool
yeah, missing dpad. essentially a touch hd with keyboard...
hopefully multitouch?
THE GRIZZ said:
also disscussed in the news http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=483293
no dpad is not cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dpad on the current Touch Pro is very difficult to use - if they've replaced it with a suitably usable alternative such as full touch-scrolling in all apps (including Excel!) then that may be an improvement.
The blurb says TouchFlo 3D goes "deeper" into the OS so maybe this is exactly why they've dropped the dpad.
I need a mop for my keyboard.
My thoughts:
1. First thing I thought was: I wonder if there will be some way to buy this from AT&T without breaking my contract? I mean, what do they do for people who got a 2-year contract with the original iPhone, and then a year later they want the new iPhone?
2. Longer battery life and a bigger screen are very welcome.
3. I hope that keyboard is a mock-up. Also, I can't imagine using a non-Fuze keyboard, let alone one of those 3-row keyboards most phones have, but it's just way too convenient to have all those punctuation marks available top row.
4. I wonder when this phone will reach stateside.
5. I wonder why the phone's specs aren't improved?
6. I wonder why it's not all-black. It better just be a mockup.
7. Almost Touch HD-sized screen, and the TYTTN II tilt *drools*
But really, it took an entire year for the Touch Pro to come out in the states, so who is really banking on this thing coming out by Summer? And what will AT&T do when I'm willing to give them 300 more dollars for the Touch Pro II, and I still have a contract?
Sure, it's not the improvement we'd all have made. Not more RAM, not a better processor, or drivers... but it's still an improvement over the Touch Pro (unless that isn't a mockup keyboard, in which case I may cry over the colour scheme and the fact that there are LESS KEYS on that phone than the existing Touch Pro) and I'll take it. Plus, the front-facing D-Pad is a pain to use anyway that I just open it up and use my Keyboard D-Pad.
Brendo said:
...hopefully multitouch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it, Apple hold a patent on multitouch, that's why the Google G1 doesn't have it - Google are too cosy with Apple to risk upsetting them. I wonder if HTC have the balls......
Nah.
Anyway, multitouch necessitates using two hands. It's not all that.
freco said:
+1
Come on guys. We have to show HTC that we are not ships. They gave us a 3,6 screen and an old fashion style (TyTN II) and they expect us to give 700 euros for this?
They do not even fix Touch Pro (1) GPS problems.
This is just marketing. We need new (working) technology.
By the way this is the answer to my email for Pro 's GPS problem which I recieved Feb 5th 2009 (!!!)
Thank you for contacting HTC Europe Technical Support. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in our reply to your email dated <29/9/2008> as we were facing some technical issues with our systems.
With reference to your inquiry regarding HTC touch pro, Gps issue, you must contact Tomtom to know the compatible version of totmotm with your device.
Do you realy think we have to upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with you
I like the chipset change to 7200A as might get vga video recording but bummer for the still 3.2mp camera. And miss the led light too. (the emergency lights didn't function at work during the 2003 north(east) america blackout)
I originally posted my response over at PPCGeeks so this will be short since I am on my Touch Pro...
This phone most likely wont come CDMA as it simply doesnt offer much improvements over the Touch Pro... If it does I wont be buying it.
The hardware is all the same except a worsened shell. No D-Pad a cramped keyboard to say a few...
Any TouchFlo enchancements will be cooked into TouchPro roms since the hardware is basically the same we can expect it to perform well.
I will hold out for WM 6.5 or 7 and a device with more RAM and a faster CPU. Hopefully better battery life too.
I think the TP is awesome spec wise, but an upgrade needs to have better specs. Otherwise why upgrade?
HANDS ON VIDEOS
I'm fallin' in love... no kiddin
looks nice but missing a few things here and there. the LED light is a big deal for me and the tp2 doesn't have it. the keyboard style also reminds me of the omnia and that's a no-no.I also noticed the 4 hardware button to be a ton smaller... that is kinda worrysome sinceit makes it harder to press (atleast for me). lastlythe tilt function. as far as i have heard, the at&t rep and various ppl have told me that the tilt function on the tytnII actually makes the phone more vulnerable. the rep told me that customers come in with a completely snapped in half tilt after accidently dropping it when it's tilted.
so that's my 2 cents. Unless the really upgrade the hardware I probably will be using this guy (tp2,aka fuze) for a long time.
Where is the camera's flash, website specs don't mention it and square next to camera lens is a button.
mtbmtbmtb said:
Where is the camera's flash, website specs don't mention it and square next to camera lens is a button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is gone... That is a mute button or something useless...
I wonder if HTC actually does any market research on their target consumers or if they are just taking wild stabs in the dark figuring we'll just buy whatever they ship?
As seriously, this phone is in no way worth $600+USD over the Touch Pro.
They could have AT LEAST offered beefier specs somewhere. Where is the more RAM or faster CPU? Where is the return of some hardware buttons that I and a lot of others complain about loosing?
All they do is shrink the KB? Are they saying the "5 row keyboard" they advertised to death on the current TP was a failure? Who did they ask? As the phone hasn't been on the market long enough to get complaints up to carriers then back up to HTC...
Ah well enough venting for me. I won't be buying it. As I said earlier, I'll just get a cooked rom with any enhancements I like (if I like any as I hate Touch Flow 3D and have it all turned off on my TP).
http://www.engadget.com/photos/first-hands-on-with-the-htc-touch-pro2-with-video/1361020/
HTC TOUCH PRO2
The TP2 has:
- No D-Pad (Do you really trust on a WM GUI without a DPAD ? )
- No Camera Flash.
- Bigger
- Heavier
- Almost the same hardware.
- no TF3D Landscape "as seen in the engadgetmobile video (link above)".
- Really, really, really ugly look (Like the OldSchool Tilt ).
A part from the bigger screen, and some new "tiny" software options (conference... lol) that can be easily ported ( Is it necessary ???) I see nothing pushing me to buy something like this ~ $700 crap.
So HTC, are you serious ???
Oh yes, and I think this device will have an excelent graphic performance as well as other Qualcom devices like Diamond and TP.... let me laught
Cheers
what i am liking is the new landscape TF3D cant wait to have that ported to the TP
and its not just verizons it has all the tabs they just reorient themselves

Windows Mobile vs Android

Windows Mobile has long been neglected and tossed aside in the tech/geek community, but James Kendrick of jkOnTheRun recently wrote an article comparing several features on the two platforms and Kendrick finds that Windows Mobile beat out its Android counterpart. Multi-tasking, number of available applications, and the UI were all given Windows Mobile advantage with a tie between desktop synchronization depending if you like the cloud or computer method better.
Full article:
http://jkontherun.com/2009/11/23/windows-mobile-vs-android-winmo-is-better-than-you-think/
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Please delete if already posted
Well, he does have a point. But I've been using WinMo for years and years now. And now I have an HTC Hero and the whole experience with the Hero and Android is just much better.
For example the 'multitasking experience'. With multiple programs open, in my experience the WinMo devices always slowed down at some point. I don't have this all the time with Android. With WinMo it was annoying to have a lot of apps open. In Android it's not annoying, big difference. I guess the way the multitasking works is different.
Installing stuff on the SD was a bit of a pain. But re-formatting the SD-card (which can now be done automaticly, yeah with custom recovery) and using A2SD (apps to sd) and that problem is gone.
Anyway, back to my point. I was (and still am) a big fan of WinMo. But for some reason the -whole- feeling of Android (agree, with SenseUI) is just so much better for me. It all feels much more complete. A much more consistent experience all the way through.
WinMo did feel old in the end. And even things are much better now with 6.5.x it feels 'patched' and not very cohesive in the interface and OS.
Guess that's where the problem is a bit nowadays. WinMo is a great OS with loads of features and possibilities. But in the end a lot of people want a nice and consistent modern finger friendly experience. WinMo lacks that a bit. Which makes people 'feel' the other OS is better.
It's subjective, it's emotion... it's human.
I used WinMo for a few years before switching to Android and I think of it as an old hat.
An old had you will always love but still, an old hat.
I have used WM for several years - Android is new - and still beats WM for usability.
WM7 is just around the corner and hopefully will bring WM up to date. For now I'll use Android.
-shrug- I got a WMphone for the simple fact i use my phone for...well lets just say more then a celly.
Now i must say WM6 was kinda...well....it just sucked, lack of EVERYTHING, but with 6.1 and 6.5(official Versions) the limitations are becoming nonexistent.
I have not personally OWNED an official 6.1/6.5 phone or Droid.
But i do get to play with alot of phones.
Droid gets the vote as the next Danger
(God i hate that OS) Its for Kids, and app junkies.
Windows mobile gets the vote to the tide and true Business "people" and those who NEED a computer when one is not available.
And seeing as the new Samsung Behold II is Droid "Cube" just an example of the Kid/app junkie marketing
And yes WM is losing this battle...for now, but i think that 7 will bring them back in popularity..Along with the new Marketplace.
So it all really comes down to what you use your phone for and as always personal choice
I dont really care for any of the Droids...Made by HTC or not, i just do not like them, their interface is just kinda annoying and a little...well Generic.
Using my friend's G1 a while back, I can say that I like Winmo more(old android version) Besides, My primary device that I use winmo on has a 4 inch screen, so finger usability isn't a problem for me
Since Business use is the name of the game for me, I must have WM!
Well I have been on this forum for years and am glad I found this article and have been torn between WM or the android OS. before I voice my opinion I must also add that I work on black berry software and have touched the Iphone for development.
I for one will be going back to the WM when I get the TP 2. I own the hero and the BB storm and pound for pound for what I use the phone for WM is way better.
business apps
IT apps (network ect)
but if your just a regular every day user I think the android os is way better then the Iphone.
now when looking at a platform thats up and comming in a development aspect I think not to focus on the android is not only stupid but not good business sence.
icreepin said:
but if your just a regular every day user I think the android os is way better then the Iphone.
now when looking at a platform thats up and comming in a development aspect I think not to focus on the android is not only stupid but not good business sence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree that android is becoming more impressive by the day. I'm getting the HTC Google Nexus One as my next toy!
Are there any android device's with a resistive screen with a stylus?
I can't think of anything worse than trying to work with spreadsheet's and word doc's with a finger based UI, the closest my greasy finger's get near my screen is via fingernail
When it comes to listening to music the android OS does not have the tools needed by app developers for sound manipulation (see comments on coreplayer forum as well as elsewhere). Does not even have an equalizer. I am using pocket player and will probably stay put with windows mobile since this app does everything I need.
Big Android Fan
I love Android and I love XDA.
android with capacitive screen really sucks! that is why i selling my Acer liquid on ebay! capacitive screen only works with finger where resistive screen works on finger, nail and stylus! (you have alot of options!).
if you do alot of texting or instant message with capacitive screen, your finger will get sore after awhile!
bjrmd said:
When it comes to listening to music the android OS does not have the tools needed by app developers for sound manipulation (see comments on coreplayer forum as well as elsewhere). Does not even have an equalizer. I am using pocket player and will probably stay put with windows mobile since this app does everything I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have no idea how much this aggravates me.
The lack of EQ makes it a non factor for music playback. Major fallback IMO.
netnerd said:
android with capacitive screen really sucks! that is why i selling my Acer liquid on ebay! capacitive screen only works with finger where resistive screen works on finger, nail and stylus! (you have alot of options!).
if you do alot of texting or instant message with capacitive screen, your finger will get sore after awhile!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyones entitled to there opinion....but this one is just delusional.
Capacitive screen are infinitely easier to use and reduce the "work" of your fingers. Its not even up for debate its like saying a 8 bit nintendo pad is great for FPS.
At this point in the game resistive screens and stylus are like metal keys and ink ribbon.
Capacitive screens + Trackball ((especially optical trackballs)) render resistive+ stylus obsolete.
In any case I really did love the power WinMo game me over my device. I do miss the ease of File management,Codecs , Registry tweaks , second to non Copy/Paste , and some other things im forgetting.
That said Android is just leaps and bounds more usable and functional on a day to day basis than WinMo.
Android really feels like WinMo 8. Unlike Iphone which is crippled and shallow , Android takes most of the great features and power users have on there WinMo phone but puts it in a MUCH friendlier and straight forward package.
The Apps are simply better looking and much easier to interact with. The memory management is much better. Multi tasking and notifications are smoother and smarter. Everything is just far more refined and seems well thought out.
My bottom line...WinMo 6.5 was the last straw. It was such a weak effort and simply ignored every single major flaw in the OS. Android has made more progress in one year than WinMo has made in 5. I refuse to give winmo my attention until it does something to demand it.
KOF33 said:
You have no idea how much this aggravates me.
The lack of EQ makes it a non factor for music playback. Major fallback IMO.
Everyones entitled to there opinion....but this one is just delusional.
Capacitive screen are infinitely easier to use and reduce the "work" of your fingers. Its not even up for debate its like saying a 8 bit nintendo pad is great for FPS.
At this point in the game resistive screens and stylus are like metal keys and ink ribbon.
Capacitive screens + Trackball ((especially optical trackballs)) render resistive+ stylus obsolete.
In any case I really did love the power WinMo game me over my device. I do miss the ease of File management,Codecs , Registry tweaks , second to non Copy/Paste , and some other things im forgetting.
That said Android is just leaps and bounds more usable and functional on a day to day basis than WinMo.
Android really feels like WinMo 8. Unlike Iphone which is crippled and shallow , Android takes most of the great features and power users have on there WinMo phone but puts it in a MUCH friendlier and straight forward package.
The Apps are simply better looking and much easier to interact with. The memory management is much better. Multi tasking and notifications are smoother and smarter. Everything is just far more refined and seems well thought out.
My bottom line...WinMo 6.5 was the last straw. It was such a weak effort and simply ignored every single major flaw in the OS. Android has made more progress in one year than WinMo has made in 5. I refuse to give winmo my attention until it does something to demand it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice post - agreed
KOF33 said:
Everyones entitled to there opinion....but this one is just delusional.
Capacitive screen are infinitely easier to use and reduce the "work" of your fingers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how is it capacitive reduce the "work" of fingers when IT ONLY works on fingers? resistive screen works on finger, NAIL, and STYLUS! (more options!)
that is like saying driving to work save gas when cars only work on gas! (instead of riding a bike!)
KOF33 said:
At this point in the game resistive screens and stylus are like metal keys and ink ribbon.
Capacitive screens + Trackball ((especially optical trackballs)) render resistive+ stylus obsolete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a matter of opinion. Capacitive screen are inferior when it comes to handwriting and scribbling. You cannot compare WinMo UI with Android UI since one is designed for stylus and another for finger. Using Android with stylus is aggravating experience. Using stock winmo with fingers is equally aggravating.
netnerd said:
how is it capacitive reduce the "work" of fingers when IT ONLY works on fingers? resistive screen works on finger, NAIL, and STYLUS! (more options!)
that is like saying driving to work save gas when cars only work on gas! (instead of riding a bike!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do know what the word "resistive" means right ?
Needing to push and press is not going to be easier than something that picks up the instant you make contact.
5hur1k said:
This is a matter of opinion. Capacitive screen are inferior when it comes to handwriting and scribbling. You cannot compare WinMo UI with Android UI since one is designed for stylus and another for finger. Using Android with stylus is aggravating experience. Using stock winmo with fingers is equally aggravating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hence my point as to why its such a dated function.
Im not over looking the fact many users do need to walk around jotting down notes all day. But those users are in the heavy minority. Why would you choose to stop , take out a stylus to begin input when a few screen taps would suffice.
text/email/social networking/webbrowsing/dialing out , contact lookup/games Id wager thats a massive bulk of any smartphones workload. Why cripple all these just so you can scribble with a little more accuracy ?
The whole point is to make things as easy as possible with minimal input. The move towards voice to text should be another nail in the coffin of stylus/resistive screens.
The hurdles with capacitive to me seem to be UI design..not technology.
BTW I will say WinMo voice recognition and dialing >>>> Android voice. I sooooo miss Winmos speed and accuracy.
meh
I used android for a year, it's kids stuff, it's like the Wii of cell systems. It's fun and flashy to begin with but that quickly wears off, and for all the progress that has been made, I would argue that most of the improvements included in these updates were things that SHOULD have been included from the launch!
I recently picked up my first winmo device, the expo, and I must say that I'm impressed. I'm not looking back even for a second!
I have had Android & Windows Mobile experience in the past. I feel Android is fresh & better in terms of its speed & multitasking. But it can't compete winmo having such a large support reserve in terms of apps. I can expect a day when we Android has all the applications that winmo has & I will ditch winmo for sure.

Are There Any Good Front Facing Qwerty Devices?

My Samsung BlackJack II aka i617 has kicked the bucket and I'm using my old Moto Razr until I find a replacement. I'm not inquiring you to search google for me, I just would like to know if you know any that are decent. I want another Front-Facing QWERTY device, but I can't think of many that are 'Smartphones' and of that form factor except for these few I have below:
Samsung OmniaPro B7330--------------------------Palm Treo Pro
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I'd prefer it to have a Touch-screen (not a requirement though) and must have fairly modern specs. Also are there any Android phones that meet this requirement? I willing to take recommendations for all OS's as long as it's fairly customizable.
Unfortunately, touchscreen devices with a frontal qwerty keyboard are terrible.
The Samsung Epix is a decent touch screen device. It has a stylus and optical navigation pad that can be used just like a laptop mouse pad (meaning their is a mouse cursor). However, the keyboard is ridiculously terrible and unintuitive.
There is also the Palm Pixi which has a keyboard and touchscreen right in front of you. However, the keyboard is very, very minimalist and small. The keyboard is also very bad.
There really are no good devices with a frontal keyboard and touchscreen interface. At least, not yet.
Luckily, their is a new Sony Ericsson phone coming out real soon. It's called the Sony Ericsson Aspen. It will not by amazing in terms of technical aspects because the processor is presumed to be around 500 megahertz, which is slow for a Windows Mobile device. But from my experiences with qwerty keyboards on phones like these, the Sony Ericsson Aspen will have a pretty good keyboard.
If you really need the quick access and efficiency of a smart phone keyboard, I highly suggest you to purchase a Nokia E-series device or a BlackBerry device. These phones lack the touchscreen, but they excel in this form factor. Windows Mobile and Touch Screen phones do not excel in this form factor.
I suggest the Nokia E72, it is fast and efficient with a great keyboard. However, the BlackBerry 9000 or the BlackBerry 9700 have an even better keyboard.
So here is a quick summary:
According to the form factor that you're looking for, Touch Screen devices have terrible keyboards and are inefficient. However, Nokia E-series devices or BlackBerry Bold Series devices tend to have the better keyboards and are designed to work really well with their operating system.
Just know this if you decide to listen to me: Nokia E-series devices have a good non-touch screen operating system. BlackBerry devices are designed for email and messaging and have the best of the best keyboards with this form factor, but I think that the operating system is a bit boring and lack software development.
Thanks for the reply poetryrocksalot. I was considering the Pixi Plus, but the only models available so far are CDMA and i need a unlocked phone.
When I said fairly modern specs, I meant a phone that didn't have hardware from 2006. I just neeed something that was faster than my previous phone, the Samsung i617. Also what I meant was that I would like something with a touch-screen but it's not biggy if it doesn't.
krjcook said:
Thanks for the reply poetryrocksalot. I was considering the Pixi Plus, but the only models available so far are CDMA and i need a unlocked phone.
When I said fairly modern specs, I meant a phone that didn't have hardware from 2006. I just neeed something that was faster than my previous phone, the Samsung i617. Also what I meant was that I would like something with a touch-screen but it's not biggy if it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nokia E72 has a ARM 11 600 MHz processor, 5 Megapixel camera, Modern Look, Decent RAM considering the average RAM size for Symbian devices, LED Flash, 3.5 mm headphone jack, active noise cancellation microphone technology, up-to-date S60 Series 3rd Edition OS (considering the fact that it came out fairly recently), a microsd card slot, accelerometer, optical trackpad, FM Radio receiver, Digital Compass built in, flashlight integration.
BTW, of all of these devices, the Nokia E72 has the best camera (except for the Sony Ericsson Aspen).
The Palm Pixi Plus has a 2 Megapixel Camera, no FM Radio, no flashlight integration (you need someone to develop software and it isn't out yet), no microsd card and only 8 gb of memory for now, no digital compass built in, no active noise cancellation, and the OS is in it's infant stages
The only thing that makes the Pixi modern over the E72 is that the Pixi is a touch screen device. Furthermore, it's 2010 and the Sony Ericsson Aspen hasn't even came out yet, but it is a disappointment to see that it has 3 megapixel camera.
I am really against purchasing a Palm Pixi plus. By purchasing this, I think that you are basically saying: "I don't really care about the front facing keyboard, I just care that it has a capacitive touch screen and a fun interface". If this is your priority than I really hope you purchase a WebOS device with atleast a 3.5 inch diagonally long screen.
By the way, the Nokia E72 has been praised for being one of the fastest Nokia device out there right now. Symbian devices do not need as much CPU as windows mobile devices, so the processors are usually ARM processors around 400 megahertz. Even the Nokia N97 has a 400 megahertz CPU. The E72 is an exception.
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
adamdon89 said:
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I can not believe I totally forgot about this device. I should have mentioned it.
However, there are some things to mention. This image is fake rendition by an unofficial artist
Here is the link and some proof: http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/recent-htc-trophy-image-looks-good-but-fake-artist-render
Here is the actual image that was leaked: http://www.techdigest.tv/HTC Trophy.jpg
I am looking forward for HTC to implement the artist rendition!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't forget the Maple, I love it's keyboard, although the HTC inner circle which is heavily hyped on it isn't that great, but it has no touch screen
cmstackar said:
Don't forget the Maple, I love it's keyboard, although the HTC inner circle which is heavily hyped on it isn't that great, but it has no touch screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right!
HTC Maple
It´s one of the best options for bar smartphones
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=1782&c=htc_snap_s521__captain_htc_maple_100
Please don't get the HTC Maple. It's very low end.
I suggest waiting for the HTC Trophy to be officially announced or for the Sony Ericsson Aspen. Or get the successor to the E72 if it comes out.
Completely disagree
Have you had one?
or you just talking light
It´s one of the best actual options
Trophy looks nice but it´s not here today for sale
Here the low end specs:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=1782
Thanks for the reply. I've decided that I'm going with a windows standard device, because their cheap and simple then I'll upgrade to Windows Phone 7 or Android later this year. But the problem is that now I'm stuck choosing between the HTC Snap and Samsung OmniaPro B7330. They have similar specs, except that the OmniaPro has a Bigger Screen, More Ram & Rom, a higher res camera, and It's cheaper everywhere i look. Here's a link to the comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=2032
Is HTC's software good enough to waiver the samsung better spec and lower price tag.
Hopefully this will be the successor of Samsung i780/Epix.
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=15101
krjcook said:
Thanks for the reply. I've decided that I'm going with a windows standard device, because their cheap and simple then I'll upgrade to Windows Phone 7 or Android later this year. But the problem is that now I'm stuck choosing between the HTC Snap and Samsung OmniaPro B7330. They have similar specs, except that the OmniaPro has a Bigger Screen, More Ram & Rom, a higher res camera, and It's cheaper everywhere i look. Here's a link to the comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=2032
Is HTC's software good enough to waiver the samsung better spec and lower price tag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say that the software is much better, but the keyboard is phenomenal on the snap, 2nd favorite keyboard on any mobile device. And if the keyboard is anything like Samsung's other models, it will be decent, but not great
I'm really optimistic about the Samsung Pivot. If the device we're seeing now is the actual release model, than I would definitely get it. It reminds me of the Nokia E61 (terrific keyboard!).
This is the Samsung Pivot:
This is the Nokia E61:
Horrible designs indeed...
poetryrocksalot said:
Unfortunately, touchscreen devices with a frontal qwerty keyboard are terrible.
The Samsung Epix is a decent touch screen device. It has a stylus and optical navigation pad that can be used just like a laptop mouse pad (meaning their is a mouse cursor). However, the keyboard is ridiculously terrible and unintuitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you owned the Epix? I have, and it is a very good device. I had it for 2 years, never had a problem like everyone else says. I had mobile shell on it for a bit running fine, then switched to manilla 2D with real vga. The keyboard was great, much better than flat keyboards. I typed faster than anyone I knew could on other phones, I even used to type up notes in class.
However it has been discontinued, so the chances of getting a new one are very slim. It just didn't have the appeal and didn't sell, but with windows 6.1, maybe a possible official 6.5 upgrade(doubtful since it was discontinued, however ms website says april 2010), and everything an htc device has except for a g sensor and a perfect touch flo. I liked it, too bad mine decided to stay in my pocket when I went for a swim. HTC Touch Diamond 2 in 3 days wooohoo
brunodemelo said:
Have you owned the Epix? I have, and it is a very good device. I had it for 2 years, never had a problem like everyone else says. I had mobile shell on it for a bit running fine, then switched to manilla 2D with real vga. The keyboard was great, much better than flat keyboards. I typed faster than anyone I knew could on other phones, I even used to type up notes in class.
However it has been discontinued, so the chances of getting a new one are very slim. It just didn't have the appeal and didn't sell, but with windows 6.1, maybe a possible official 6.5 upgrade(doubtful since it was discontinued, however ms website says april 2010), and everything an htc device has except for a g sensor and a perfect touch flo. I liked it, too bad mine decided to stay in my pocket when I went for a swim. HTC Touch Diamond 2 in 3 days wooohoo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not own the device but I have handled the device and typed on it every time I have the chance when I see one. The keyboard is terrible.
The BlackBerry on the other hand is very, very good.
I bet you really like Windows Mobile...well if the Samsung Epix had the keyboard shape and form of a BlackBerry, than I am pretty sure that you are would like your Epix even more.
Anyways, sources say that the Samsung Pivot will be like the successor to the Epix. Fortunately the keyboard is like old E61 keyboard which is a keyboard that is actually better than the new E72 keyboard.
I understand that the Epix keyboard have a more honest feedback (meaning that you are certain that you clicked a button), however, the keys are very firm. You really need to press a little on the keys for the input. Firm keys prevent typing fast. Productivity takes a bit more time on these keyboards. The E72 and the BlackBerry have less firm keys meaning that speed typing is permissible.
Also, the best way to test keyboard is to do a speed run typing on the Epix and the BlackBerry 9700. That is what I did. The results are that I am less likely to make a typographical error on the BlackBerry 9700 than the Epix when I typed the same sentence at full speed.
poetryrocksalot said:
I do not own the device but I have handled the device and typed on it every time I have the chance when I see one. The keyboard is terrible.
The BlackBerry on the other hand is very, very good.
I bet you really like Windows Mobile...well if the Samsung Epix had the keyboard shape and form of a BlackBerry, than I am pretty sure that you are would like your Epix even more.
Anyways, sources say that the Samsung Pivot will be like the successor to the Epix. Fortunately the keyboard is like old E61 keyboard which is a keyboard that is actually better than the new E72 keyboard.
I understand that the Epix keyboard have a more honest feedback (meaning that you are certain that you clicked a button), however, the keys are very firm. You really need to press a little on the keys for the input. Firm keys prevent typing fast. Productivity takes a bit more time on these keyboards. The E72 and the BlackBerry have less firm keys meaning that speed typing is permissible.
Also, the best way to test keyboard is to do a speed run typing on the Epix and the BlackBerry 9700. That is what I did. The results are that I am less likely to make a typographical error on the BlackBerry 9700 than the Epix when I typed the same sentence at full speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that is the case for you. It is different for everyone, and each and every person gets used to their phone's keyboard in a few days. I can't just pick up a blackberry and hope to do a fair speed test as I am used to the Epix. Only way to find out would be someone who has never typed on either phone.
About the pivot, that thing is quite ugly. It might have a better keyboard but thats pretty much it over the Epix, and some more memory.
Chinese Blackberry clone with WM 6.1 Pro
http://www.nowsupplier.com/new-w088...one-quad-band-single-card-gps-wifi-p-378.html
This device has a keyboard and WM professional, I dont think it has a touch screen, but it looks to be a good cheap device, although it lacks 3G. Quad-band GSM and GPRS, with WiFi and TV antenna.
Just my two bits.
adamdon89 said:
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree and it's coming soon! You can pre-order it here:
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wir...c&utm_term=HTCTROPHYBKEU&utm_campaign=froogle

Any word on an upcoming HTC Keyboard Phone? Or an HTC event where they may announceit

I am just treading water now. I don't understand why keyboards are being dropped. I love the Fuze's keyboard. It could be improved on, of course, but keyboards like the Droids make me lose faith in anyone's ability to build a good keyboard.
HTC is the only one I have faith in. And with awesome phones like the HD2 and the Evo... I may not have a keyboard phone at all!! What to do!!
Someone give me good news!!
I have nightmares of a not so distant future where real keyboards on phones (and perhaps one day even computers) no longer exist. Even on this board, when reading posts of people going from the Touch Pro 2 to the HD2, and exclaiming how (because of the gigantic screen) they no longer need a real keyboard, I shed microscopic tears.
Even if one could become as proficient with a touchscreen keyboard as they would be with a real one, there is one thing that a real keyboard can do that a fake one will never be able to emulate. That is, the ability to not take up 3/4ths of the screen while using it.
I cannot imagine using SSH or RemoteDesktop with a touch keyboard that obscures half the screen every time I want to type something. I like using my phone as a mini computer, and I appreciate having the choice to control it without always smudging up the screen. Ever try scrolling through large webpages with a series of flicks? Yea, hooray for directional buttons!
Anyways enough rant, I have no idea what the next good keyboard phone from HTC will be. There's the HTC Tera, but that seems to be a stripped down Touch Pro 2 (lower screen res, similar CPU) which makes no sense. Something like an HD2 Pro would be boss, considering the surface area of that device, HTC could fit some serious keyage in there.
Until then you can pry my underpowered Touch Pro 2 out of my cold dead hands.
MooGoo said:
I have nightmares of a not so distant future where real keyboards on phones (and perhaps one day even computers) no longer exist. Even on this board, when reading posts of people going from the Touch Pro 2 to the HD2, and exclaiming how (because of the gigantic screen) they no longer need a real keyboard, I shed microscopic tears.
Even if one could become as proficient with a touchscreen keyboard as they would be with a real one, there is one thing that a real keyboard can do that a fake one will never be able to emulate. That is, the ability to not take up 3/4ths of the screen while using it.
I cannot imagine using SSH or RemoteDesktop with a touch keyboard that obscures half the screen every time I want to type something. I like using my phone as a mini computer, and I appreciate having the choice to control it without always smudging up the screen. Ever try scrolling through large webpages with a series of flicks? Yea, hooray for directional buttons!
Anyways enough rant, I have no idea what the next good keyboard phone from HTC will be. There's the HTC Tera, but that seems to be a stripped down Touch Pro 2 (lower screen res, similar CPU) which makes no sense. Something like an HD2 Pro would be boss, considering the surface area of that device, HTC could fit some serious keyage in there.
Until then you can pry my underpowered Touch Pro 2 out of my cold dead hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get an lg expo.
Personally, I find the keyboard just easier to use, and it allows for you to use other applications (such as games, which I never play cause the Fuze is slow) or, even better, to scroll through contacts precisely when you have a phone without a front-facing D-Pad. Buttons are great. You just need those keys. I do like to use my phone as a mini-computer as well. I fell in love with the Sidekick when I was younger (never one one), the idea of a mini little IM station. I use my Fuze like that now, putting it next to my monitor when playing a game to direct the IMs to it.
Without a keyboard, it'll feel incomplete. Sure, an onscreen keyboard works, but it's slow. It's clumsy. You need to look at it when you type, and you can never get too far ahead because you are unsure of what you're hitting. My Fuze keyboard is second nature. I need a GOOD keyboard, as good as the Fuze or better.
And I'm not seeing one.
thehyecircus said:
I am just treading water now. I don't understand why keyboards are being dropped. I love the Fuze's keyboard. It could be improved on, of course, but keyboards like the Droids make me lose faith in anyone's ability to build a good keyboard.
HTC is the only one I have faith in. And with awesome phones like the HD2 and the Evo... I may not have a keyboard phone at all!! What to do!!
Someone give me good news!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I´m with you!
Only HTC I want and with keyboard.
Not any virtual keyboard can be compared to the REAL feeling of typing on REAL keys!!!
Tera should be launched in q3 o q4 this year but it´s not really an upgrade from actual great Rhodium
I would say, wait till q2 2011 and for sure we will see something it worth the upgrade.
I spent several years with Universal waiting for a great successor and got it hard to find something till I got Rhodium.
If you know something please share it here!
I´ll do the same
Posted by MooGoo
Even if one could become as proficient with a touchscreen keyboard as they would be with a real one, there is one thing that a real keyboard can do that a fake one will never be able to emulate. That is, the ability to not take up 3/4ths of the screen while using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn right!!!!!!!!
----------------
See this reference thread regarding members asking for a keyboard device
I'm with you guys on this. I'm sure HTC will be releasing some sick phones once win7 hits
I feel the same. I hope that there will be HTC Android phone with keyboard in near future.
And NO i don't want Motorola, LG etc. I want HTC phone with xda support!
Typing on screen is super-slow-motion for me compared to hardware keyboard, probably because of the small screen. But i think good HW keyboard can beat any SW keyboard on any screen.
Keep it alive!!
Great words
Let´s keep alive and actual this thread!
Perhaps...who knows....somebody from HTC could be watching...
Well I don't know about HTC but DELL are rumored to release some great devices one with a keyboard that I bet will have XDA support. It's worth having a look at this monster.
http://www.gsmarena.com/dell_lightning-3280.php
I hope that DELL being a serious firm will not let us down everything on paper looks very promising.
thehyecircus said:
... I need a GOOD keyboard, as good as the Fuze or better.
And I'm not seeing one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touch Pro 2 Keyboard > Touch Pro 1 Keyboard in all way, shape, & form.
In fact so far, the Touch Pro 2 is the most perfect phone keyboard that I have ever used...no comparisons anywhere else.
But I'm with the OP here, I want to see some new phones coming out w/ specs like modern phones with keyboards like my current phone. It shouldn't be too much to ask. Or else I'd be tempted to make a frankenphone of the HD2 w/ the touch pro 2 keyboard if possible!!!
Jason
myrandex said:
It shouldn't be too much to ask. Or else I'd be tempted to make a frankenphone of the HD2 w/ the touch pro 2 keyboard if possible!!!
Jason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be incredible, please DO IT!! Xda will create a new subsection for your frankenphone.
And while your at it, hax the scroll wheel and d-pad from the hermes onto your new phone of horrors, and maybe a couple lazzzars too.
I'm totally serious!
andes83 said:
Well I don't know about HTC but DELL are rumored to release some great devices one with a keyboard that I bet will have XDA support. It's worth having a look at this monster.
http://www.gsmarena.com/dell_lightning-3280.php
I hope that DELL being a serious firm will not let us down everything on paper looks very promising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That ain't a real keyboard.
And the TP2 keyboard lacks buttons!! And has awkward placement on some keys!! I can use the TP1 so well that I see no reason to compromise. Now, a bigger screen, and the TP2 approach works.
orb3000 said:
I´m with you!
Only HTC I want and with keyboard.
Not any virtual keyboard can be compared to the REAL feeling of typing on REAL keys!!!
Tera should be launched in q3 o q4 this year but it´s not really an upgrade from actual great Rhodium
I would say, wait till q2 2011 and for sure we will see something it worth the upgrade.
I spent several years with Universal waiting for a great successor and got it hard to find something till I got Rhodium.
If you know something please share it here!
I´ll do the same
Damn right!!!!!!!!
----------------
See this reference thread regarding members asking for a keyboard device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey. I was checking out iPad in a local best buy one day, thinking about if it's going to replace my laptop, went back home, opened my lenovo X301, and caught my self thinking, that this kind of flip device, with keyboard on the bottom and screen on top, is a so freaking good NEW idea after all this tablets
alexsemi said:
Hey. I was checking out iPad in a local best buy one day, thinking about if it's going to replace my laptop, went back home, opened my lenovo X301, and caught my self thinking, that this kind of flip device, with keyboard on the bottom and screen on top, is a so freaking good NEW idea after all this tablets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A real Tablet PC is a convertible, where the screen can flip down and go on top of the keyboard. They ALSO use digitizers so you can use a stylus and draw on the screen accurately (instead of this multi-touch capacitive crap designed for fingers.) That is the laptop I want. Not these tablet craps.
If it is designed for the internet, I NEED to type on it. That's all I do online.
Lenovo X200 Multi-Touch Tablet FTW. It could literally eat the iPad.
I upgraded from an HTC Dream to the Nexus One, thinking that I probably wouldn't miss the physical keyboard at all because I had been reading how people were pretty happy typing on their iPhones and whatnot. Although a physical keyboard is not necessary, I find that I make a lot of mistakes typing on a virtual keyboard. I've since switched to a BlackBerry and typing emails is so much worry-free now.
alexsemi said:
Hey. I was checking out iPad in a local best buy one day, thinking about if it's going to replace my laptop, went back home, opened my lenovo X301, and caught my self thinking, that this kind of flip device, with keyboard on the bottom and screen on top, is a so freaking good NEW idea after all this tablets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah!
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myrandex said:
In fact so far, the Touch Pro 2 is the most perfect phone keyboard that I have ever used...no comparisons anywhere else.
Jason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, wholeheartedly. Of course, it's also my first keyboard phone. Regardless of that, I think I've already been spoiled rotten by the TP2's keyboard.
Actually, the Touch Pro 2 is my first smartphone ever. Being a noob to this phone tech level, I did what research I could, but one of the considerations back then that really locked me on to the TP2 was how great its keyboard looked. (This was before I knew what there was an XDA or that the phone could do other little neat things like host 3 different operating systems and other stuff.) I even dropped Sprint and signed on to T-Mobile to get the TP2 in its first week in the states. I love the phone, and I was dead on in my assessment of the keyboard.
It's awesome. I mean, the buttons are huge AND there's space between them like a real keyboard. (I looked at the Palm Pre for awhile and couldn't fathom how someone was supposed to actually press the keys on that tiny keyboard.) The keys are laid out in very efficient locations; again it's like a real keyboard. I actually like the TP2's keyboard layout better than the one on my ASUS netbook.
Yes, the row of number keys gets partially blocked by the screen when it's flipped up, and, I agree, it's annoying. But it's not crippling to me, and the problem is easily solved by just flipping the screen back to the flat position.
Here's the kicker, though. I can type probably 10x as fast on the keyboard than I can on the touchscreen. I'll usually use the touchscreen if I just need to type a few letters for something. I was using the touchscreen more recently, but it got annoying trying to accurately press the right keys quickly with my much larger fingers. So I switched back to keyboard, and now I'm flipping it out just about every time I need to type more than 6 letters or so.
I recall a probably-500-word email I recently had to mash out on my phone as fast as possible to get it to someone important. Keyboard all the way. And I managed to get it done and to the person just before they left for their appointment. Without a real keyboard, I wouldn't have even tried.
So, yeah, I agree with MooGoo above. Until another good keyboard phone comes along, I'll be clutching my Touch Pro 2...and shredding out emails while clutching.
MooGoo said:
Lenovo X200 Multi-Touch Tablet FTW. It could literally eat the iPad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of technology eating technology, one of my simple pleasures in life is the state in which my desk at work may often be found.
Often I'll have my netbook sitting in front of my desktop and my TP2 sitting in front of my netbook with the keyboard out and the screen tilted up. It looks like the netbook is going to eat a miniature version of itself. And the whole setup is like one big computer matryoshka doll. (I should probably throw a full sized laptop in there for even greater effect.)
This, to me, is another strong argument for keyboards on phones.
SemisolidSnake said:
Speaking of technology eating technology, one of my simple pleasures in life is the state in which my desk at work may often be found.
Often I'll have my netbook sitting in front of my desktop and my TP2 sitting in front of my netbook with the keyboard out and the screen tilted up. It looks like the netbook is going to eat a miniature version of itself. And the whole setup is like one big computer matryoshka doll. (I should probably throw a full sized laptop in there for even greater effect.)
This, to me, is another strong argument for keyboards on phones.
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Just the fact that I can see my whole screen, navigate using the d-pad (for anything tricky), and actually type on documents that need it is way too strong an argument for any phone maker to be ignoring keyboards. I don't understand why keyboards aren't being used more - I know the Droid's keyboard sucked big time, but it proved how THIN you can make a phone with a keyboard while still being way too powerful.
If Motorola grew a brain, they could pump out an awesome keyboard phone. And then, maybe it'd set a precedent like the Droid didn't.

Next qwerty phone? Photon Q is getting old for today's apps...

Hello guys,
Has anyone found a phone worthy as a successor to the Photon Q? At this point I'm willing to give up SD card, removable batteries and camera button just to get something that has a keyboard, root and can run the basic apps like firefox, messenger, gmail, play store, calendar, adobe reader and youtube without random freezes/pauses in the UI.
Already spent 3 years using a nexus 4 and 5 and I've pretty much "disappeared" from people's lives because I couldn't bear to use any form of touch screen keyboards.
Are people like me condemned to go extinct from the world of mobile computing?
My next phone will be Blackberry Priv. Faster enough, better screen, qwerty, Android. It has all I need (for now at least).
Yeah I'm not too much of a fan of the Priv for a couple of reasons:
- No root and locked bootloader spells a short life for this very expensive machine, no custom roms, no remove bloatware, no adaway etc... Root and bootloader unlock are pretty much what keeps android customizable and open source for the end user...
- Vertical slide out keyboard vs horizontal, only 4 rows, abuses the alt and sym keys to hit numbers and special characters, dpad is 100% analog. Never mind trying to do emojis or working in an ssh terminal, might as well use hacker's keyboard.
- Bugged screen drivers, doesn't use Amoled principles to turn off pixels, results in battery drain, although this might have been fixed in the latest update.
With that said, I'd be willing to try one out if BB unlocks the bootloader and the price falls under 400$CAD for a used unit.
I didn't know it's root-locked. You're right that it may render the device unusable in quite a short time. But if not Priv, then what?
This is such a sad question.
The Moto Z's interchangeable back-panels look pretty promising. I find it hard to believe that there's a bigger market for a projector than for a physical keyboard...
https://www.motorola.com/us/moto-mods
Even just using the breadboard dev kit with a 3D-printed back and a donor keyboard from an older phone could work for a one-off.
http://developer.motorola.com/products/mdk
Apparently there are clip-on bluetooth slider keyboards for iPhone (https://www.amazon.com/iNNEXT-Ultra-Thin-Slide-Out-Bluetooth-Backlight/dp/B01DZJUI18). I've been trying to find something similar for a current-gen android phone but haven't been having much luck.
There's the keyboard + case, but one of the nice things about the slider is being able to hold it while typing and not needing a surface to keep it stable...
If anybody's found something I've missed, I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling the pains of obsolescence...
The z looks promising - especially as it is modular, as most manufacturers it would seem want to just simplify their manufacturing process, it would mean making a generic touchscreen phone, and then batches of accessories to suit demand. Very smart idea.
Repairs/upgrades would be a hell of a lot easier also, just replacing the component that fails, or swapping the accessory for a different task.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Free mobile app
The main issue of Photon Q for me is the lack of support for the European LTE bands (the most important for me is the 800Mhz band).
In my country, the 3G coverage by HSPA is quite poor and no mobile network operator is expanding its 3G at all any more, the only new coverage efforts happen in LTE.
The Moto Z (Force) looks quite promising. To be honest, I'm simply waiting for a MotoMod qwerty keyboard to appear, and I'm declaring my xt897 dead. Though the Z's camera bump seems to complicate the eventual hw keyboard mod execution.
Let's see what the future will bring us.
Thanks kabaldan for noticing the Moto Z.
I already gave up for another hardwarekeyboard-smartphone and have nearly decided for a OnePlus 3 (6GB RAM edition).
But I think it is better to buy a phone which *might* get an "acceptable" keyboard than none at all. So I guess I will wait a bit longer for the Moto Z.
I'm seriously considering buying a slider bluetooth keyboard for a different phone and then adapting it to fit a current-gen phone. It's not quite as ideal, but most of the slider jobbies for the iPhone are pretty cheap and simple; they have a case part that attaches to the phone, and then the keyboard slides along rails on the case. So I could replace the case portion with a 3D-printed case sized to fit a current-gen phone and the rails for the keyboard. The downsides would be not necessarily having the right android keys (though those have been largely missing since I stopped using my Epic 4g) and it probably wouldn't autodetect when the slider was deployed. It'll probably taking rooting and some keyboard driver hacking to get it all working right, but maybe it'll be a good enough fix when I'm done in like six months...
DIY qwerty phone
GDorn said:
I'm seriously considering buying a slider bluetooth keyboard for a different phone and then adapting it to fit a current-gen phone...
It's not quite as ideal, but most of the slider jobbies for the iPhone are pretty cheap and simple; they have a case part that attaches to the phone, and then the keyboard slides along rails on the case. So I could replace the case portion with a 3D-printed case sized to fit a current-gen phone and the rails for the keyboard. The downsides would be not necessarily having the right android keys (though those have been largely missing since I stopped using my Epic 4g) and it probably wouldn't autodetect when the slider was deployed. It'll probably taking rooting and some keyboard driver hacking to get it all working right, but maybe it'll be a good enough fix when I'm done in like six months...
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I did that with Xiaomi Mi4C and iPhone 6 keyboard case. If you like smaller phone then you might want to consider Z5C/X Compact and iPhone 5/5S/SE keyboard case.
I know this is an old thread but I just saw this from a Network World article "How Moto Mods went from concept to product." Paul Fordham, lead mechanical architect on the Moto Mods design team says: "We built a battery module that had a full QWERTY keyboard inside. I could show it to you; it's almost like a slider type concept for people who like the tactile feel of a real keyboard. We had all these different ideas that we hadn't even partly developed."
So, it looks like they've at least looked at the idea. I've posted in the Lenovo forums too. Maybe some of us somehow can wake them up to make this a reality. I am grateful for all of the work done on the Photon Q, it still does a good job with all of the tweaks, but I think all of us Q owners could use a newer phone.
bmccrary said:
I know this is an old thread but I just saw this from a Network World article "How Moto Mods went from concept to product." Paul Fordham, lead mechanical architect on the Moto Mods design team says: "We built a battery module that had a full QWERTY keyboard inside. I could show it to you; it's almost like a slider type concept for people who like the tactile feel of a real keyboard. We had all these different ideas that we hadn't even partly developed."
So, it looks like they've at least looked at the idea. I've posted in the Lenovo forums too. Maybe some of us somehow can wake them up to make this a reality. I am grateful for all of the work done on the Photon Q, it still does a good job with all of the tweaks, but I think all of us Q owners could use a newer phone.
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I've been watching the Z also, and have read that thread.
This would be the single best Mod they could release, & I'm currently debating whether to buy a Priv & sacrifice the 5 row keyboard side-slider, or take a chance on the Z in the hope that they (or others) will release a slider keyboard.
Snapping off a keyboard, & replacing it with the speaker mod, or camera or something else - eg, going out & not needing the bulk of the keyboard, so slap on a styled back, or extended battery.
Maybe later you need to write a work email, so slap on the keyboard & type like a demon again. I'd probably purchase an extra keyboard just to have a spare at a convenient location - eg car glovebox.
I'd also buy a Z for the missus, then all the Mods would get a decent use. Extended batteries, camera, speakers, covers, style backs, prob even get the projector, just to have a full set!
All this..... just waiting for the keyboard Mod.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Free mobile app
Sadly, there's still no sign of a keyboard attachment for the Moto Z. You'd think that with Motorola being the last manufacturer to produce a hardward keyboard (both the Photon Q LTE and the Droid 4), they'd have made one for this dev device.
Flash-A-Holic said:
I did that with Xiaomi Mi4C and iPhone 6 keyboard case. If you like smaller phone then you might want to consider Z5C/X Compact and iPhone 5/5S/SE keyboard case.
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Good afternoon. As far as I understand, it can be done with any of the Xiaomi Mi4. The main thing is that the dimensions of the housing and the location of the cameras have been the same. Please make a photo of how you do mount the keyboard to the phone cover?
I do not expect anything new from the keyboard of the Motorola (
Plus one for a newer keyboard phone. Running CM13, I've had unsolvable problems with my (old, 2006) BT car interface staying connect while I simultaneously use AD2P via a separate BT receiver via the stero AUX in. The other aggravation is that with CM13, I cannot flash nandroid backups when I break my XT897's screen (which happens 2x-3x per year), so I have to reconfigure from scratch.
For those two reasons, I keep being tempted to switch back to stock (BT stack that tolerates multiples connections better w/ my setup), and easy NANdroid backups and sprint activation codes, etc/
BUT, then I try stock and wait 10-15 full seconds for an app to open. Much gratitude to the CM guys and whoever picks up ball from them and runs with it.
My latest problem w/ CM13 is I can't take advantage of the free international roaming in Mexico-- can't get global data to work (either problem with the CM13 settings menu, or with sprints OTA activsation of the the (sprint internal) SIM.
Let us know if anyone finds a qwerty android (I tried the priv, and too big, too hot running stock), and thanks for everyone's contributions to this great community.
schmandroid said:
The z looks promising
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Yes it does.
https://www.neowin.net/news/behold-...-slider-moto-mod-that-may-stir-some-nostalgia
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The Solutor said:
Yes it does.
https://www.neowin.net/news/behold-...-slider-moto-mod-that-may-stir-some-nostalgia
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Oh thanks God! It would be great if it becomes true!
Here is the link to the indiegogo compaign. I hope a lot of us Q users will sign up!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/physical-keyboard-slider-mod-for-moto-z/coming_soon

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