For those in the audience enamored with the
iPhone -- especially those willing to look past the lack of 3G and requisite 2-year service agreement -- there's really only one x-factor left: the touchscreen keyboard. We've all seen it done, but no one's ever seen it done right -- and
Steve seems to think it's going to be off the chain. So why is Dvorak, noted tech pundit, and goader of Mac users and
iPhone fans, reporting that he's got insider information that the iPhone's keyboard is complete crap and "people are going to return the phone in droves"? Well, that might have something to do with the fact that he's Dvorak, but we did consult a trusted and well connected source who, as it turns out, has heard the very same thing from multiple iPhone users, and who further noted that an accessory keyboard to go with the device may become necessary if the touchscreen keyboard doesn't cut the mustard. Of course, we can only reserve judgment until we wrap our paws on a real production model, but we hope it all turns out well -- even if only because we're sincerely frightened of an iPhone-incited fanboy riot in the streets.
posted Jun 8th 2007 12:47AM
I wonder if u could "Sidekick" texting with the touchscreen?!? Texting with one finger reminds me of the person typing with two index fingers.
It's only shown using one finger so you can see whats happening on the screen.
No, i'm talking when you flip it sideways... can you thumb-type "Sidekick" style. I think that would be the final touch.
Seems like texting/emailing will be quite a chore!! I'll stick with the QWERTY on my Treo 755p.
But the treo is a terrible terrible phone. Everything about it sucks. I have a 700p, most of the other people in my office also have treos (a couple 650ps, one 680p, several 755ps, and a few other 700ps). Every single one of us hates them. We have them because we need them, but we hate everything about them. They are all buggy as hell, they crash all the time, they suck to type on, they have very little internal storage, they are dodgey with SD cards, their batteries are crap, and they are utterly worthless as phones. A few of us have verizon, most have cingular (now AT&T I guess) and one person has T-mobile. Regardless of the carrier, the Treo can't keep a signal. Almost any other phone will have full signal while the treos sit at one, or zero bars. We've all had moments where inexplicably, we can't make or receive phone calls, but we can still check email and send IMs. Perfect EvDO signal, but I can't make a call? WTF? The treo is a terrible phone, it sucks in so many ways. I use mine a lot, every day, I couldn't live without it, but the second I see a way out, I'm going for it. I define suffering as being dependent on a treo.
I just hope the iPhone on-screen keyboard features haptic feedback (vibration) when used, like the Neonode N1m.
its the same size as a regular thumb-board, has better input prediction, what could be the problem? no feedback?
Problem. People love typing on touch screens. That's why all the other successful smartfone and messaging designs have went to it. Should quickly become the new standard, especially with their new anti-fingerprint coating.
I don't, i hate the f** thing. It's why i put up with the cingular 8125 bulkiness, so i can have a decent size keyboard.
@Patrick --
People love "typing" on touch screens? Is that why most of them have an additional QWERTY keyboard? (either slides out or flips out?)
Really, the only thing that could improve on the typing experience would be one of those frickin' laser beam keyboards. Yeah. Or maybe something that actively blanks the screen just before I press a letter.
Clearly some folks just don't appreciate good sarcasm. :)
** Clearly some folks just don't appreciate good sarcasm. :) **
Thanks Grant.
Haptic feedback would be cool but I better be able to disable it for longer battery life.
Dvorak is just trolling for effect. He's always been that way with anything Apple creates. Anyway, I think he's wrong on this one and the iphone will be the biggest thing in cell phones in the last 10 years.
I come from the generation of touch-typers; ok, I admit i have problems with the numbers! but to me, it is counter intuitive to use my 2 thumbs, 2 fingers or a pointer on a qwerty keyboard.
I rather use a stylus and script it. Look at the advances made with the VISTA version of the tablet. Hey, its a phone, how about voice recognition!! As far as using the touch screen to select, stretch, edit photos and play lists, that may be terrific.
I guess there is only one way to know, please send me one to evaluate. I wonder if there will be as much talk on it as there is already written about it.
I really think you need some kind of feed-back from the device. Maybe future Iphones with have the haptics like the new RAZRs.
this the one major flaw i see with the iphone, i know that i'll be more interested in the 3rd gen. version of the iphone since it really needs to be a dual screen device for when it comes to surfing the web the screen feels really cramped when typing.it needs a stylus or i need to grow out a finger nail for typing things out. a dual screen with a "real" qwerty style board would complete this phone since for calling and just listening to music is great the way it is just open it up to surf the web would be great!
You mean, like a Nintendo DS? Are you serious?
I think we all just need to reserve judgment about the thing until it's release and someone's had some real world usage with it. All this bickering and bad mouthing a device that hasn't even hit the market yet just blows my mind.
I've said before and I'll say again, the people who bad mouth the iPhone are Apple haters. They'll never like anything Apple does no matter how nice it is. They refuse to carry an iPod, refuse to acknowledge that the Mac OS is years ahead of Windows and that Vista is just another one of Windows "borrowing" of someone else's vision. They believe that Windows is better because it has such a majority of marketshare. (Hey, there may be more Fords on the road than Mercedes, but that don't make the Ford's better.) I think the number one reason to hate the iPhone is the cost. You get what you pay for. Can you imagine what a peice of crap the iPhone would really be if it only cost $199? This phone is not going to be affordable by everyone and just about everyone wants one.
You gotta pay to play man. My iBook costs a lot more than my crappy little Windows Dell but guess which one is better looking and more stable? Guess which one ran better after putting the Mac OS upgrade on it and which one bombed after upgrading to Vista?
Hey, all I'm asking is at least wait until it comes out to hate it. Then you can bad mouth us iPhone users all you like. We may not hear you though. We will be listening to tunes, or watching a video with our headphone on.
Spoken like a true Apple Fanboy... Why did you even bother...
actually bob.autrey, i absolutely despise windows, ive had an ipod, and i am actually looking into buying a macbook pro in the future and i dislike the iphone. it just doesnt seem to be anything new. theres nothing ground breaking about it other than its being produced by a well known computer manufacturer. it has an outdated 2 megapixel camera, maps with google maps and lack of a true GPS receiver (which is available for all java enabled phones and they have added gps capability for windows mobile phones and are adding to it all the time), it has a touchscreen...big whoop, 4gb or 8gb memory? whats so special...there are already 4gb micro-sd's for sale by sandisk. absolutely nothing special about this phone other than its brand name, and automatic screen rotation.
for the price id much rather get a nokia n95 and a 4gb micro-sd (which is confirmed to work with the n95) and get real GPS, a 5 megapixel camera, and HSDPA 3G(if you're in europe).
although, i applaud apple for trying, lets hope their 2nd or 3rd generation iphone is actually something to wow about
I'm liking my Dash more and more :)
I am handing my Dash down to a friend in need the day I get the iPhone. Windows mobile *blows*.
It's been determined that people prefer the tactile feedback of real buttons, as with the qwerty keyboard. In an effort to create a slick device, Apple may have outdone themselves, sacrificing practicality for looks.
The keyboard is totally aggravating, the size is not too bad and has a very intuitive layout, but for me it registers the wrong key about 15% of the time... unless I'm real careful.