Technology catch-all thread

[BigSqwert]

Anybody interested in this?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/motorol...first-hands-on/

No. I no longer enjoy physical keyboards.

[Controlled Chaos]

No. I no longer enjoy physical keyboards.

Man I just can't get used to the touch screens. I tried the EVO and the droid X. I also tried the physical keyboard on the Epic and Droid 2. Nothing seems comfortable.

[BigSqwert]

Man I just can't get used to the touch screens. I tried the EVO and the droid X. I also tried the physical keyboard on the Epic and Droid 2. Nothing seems comfortable.

Did you try swype on one of the larger screens like the EVO? That's what made all the difference in the world.

[Controlled Chaos]

<!--quoteo(post=2283127:date=Nov 9, 2010 -> 04:41 PM:name=BigSqwert)-->

<!--quotec-->Did you try swype on one of the larger screens like the EVO? That's what made all the difference in the world.

No, but I think if I get one of those devices, swype will be the route I have to go. Anybody here use this? The thing is my thumbs aren't really even big so it may be something I just need to get used to. Also, curious if any of you are using your phone with exchange?

 

Edited November 9, 2010 by Controlled Chaos

[Steve9347]

Also, curious if any of you are using your phone with exchange?

I am using my Evo with Exchange. After a year and a half of it not working properly on the Pre, I figured it'd be a huge issue. I put in the information required for my exchange account, and it was populated within 5 minutes. I've been using it flawlessly ever since.

[RockRaines]

Man I just can't get used to the touch screens. I tried the EVO and the droid X. I also tried the physical keyboard on the Epic and Droid 2. Nothing seems comfortable.

Blackberry is your phone then.

[Steve9347]

Blackberry is your phone then.

If he can't use the Epic keyboard, I don't see why a smaller keyboard would be ideal.

[Controlled Chaos]

If he can't use the Epic keyboard, I don't see why a smaller keyboard would be ideal.

I have an older blackberry now(8800) and that's what I'm used to. I think I'll eventually get used to the touch screen using swype or something. The thing with the epic keyboard is I almost felt it was too big. Like I had to move my thumbs out too wide...which is most likely just due to being used to the BB. That's why when I saw the Droid Pro, I was interested.

Thanks for everyones help.

[Y2HH]

When I first got my iPhone, and this probably mirrors most peoples experiences (Android users included), the touchscreen was "cool", yet odd, especially for typing. After a few weeks of using it, not only was I able to type much faster and more accurately on the touchscreen, but I realized how cumbersome the physical keyboard on my BB (for work) actually is and how much it slowed me down.

 

I currently have the Blackberry 8800, and an iPhon4, and I can type WAY faster on my iPhone, it's not even a contest. Not only that, but for the first time, I actually don't mind writing longer emails on my phone, where with the Blackberry, I still prefer to keep my responses very short.

[BigSqwert]

When I first got my iPhone, and this probably mirrors most peoples experiences (Android users included), the touchscreen was "cool", yet odd, especially for typing. After a few weeks of using it, not only was I able to type much faster and more accurately on the touchscreen, but I realized how cumbersome the physical keyboard on my BB (for work) actually is and how much it slowed me down.

 

I currently have the Blackberry 8800, and an iPhon4, and I can type WAY faster on my iPhone, it's not even a contest. Not only that, but for the first time, I actually don't mind writing longer emails on my phone, where with the Blackberry, I still prefer to keep my responses very short.

I will attest to comments in this post.

[RockRaines]

If he can't use the Epic keyboard, I don't see why a smaller keyboard would be ideal.

Because blackberry keyboards are on another level than all other smartphones. There isnt anyone that can replicate the experience typing on a blackberry.

[SnB]

When I first got my iPhone, and this probably mirrors most peoples experiences (Android users included), the touchscreen was "cool", yet odd, especially for typing. After a few weeks of using it, not only was I able to type much faster and more accurately on the touchscreen, but I realized how cumbersome the physical keyboard on my BB (for work) actually is and how much it slowed me down.

 

I currently have the Blackberry 8800, and an iPhon4, and I can type WAY faster on my iPhone, it's not even a contest. Not only that, but for the first time, I actually don't mind writing longer emails on my phone, where with the Blackberry, I still prefer to keep my responses very short.

i just got my droid about a month ago and still trying to adjust to the onscreen keyboard. ( i have the droid 2 w/ the pullout physical keyboard for longer messages).

 

My biggest obstacle is that I want to type every letter w/ my right thumb and my left thumb doesn't want to do anything....haha

[Y2HH]

Because blackberry keyboards are on another level than all other smartphones. There isnt anyone that can replicate the experience typing on a blackberry.

 

Blackberry keyboards are terrible, IMO. That said, all small form factor physical keyboards are terrible, but of them all, BB designed them ever so slightly better than the rest. The QWERTY keyboard was designed for two hands (10 fingers), not for 2 thumbs. The reason why you feel the way you do is simple, people forced themselves to get used to using a design in a way it was never meant to be used because it was ever so slightly better than the rest. In the end, it's still using a wrench to hammer in a nail. It works, and if you keep doing it, you can probably get it to work quite well...but it's still not a hammer. Now, they're stuck in their ways, despite a newer/better design existing that was designed almost specifically for 2 finger/2 thumb small form factor input, that being software driven multipoint touchscreen. Most don't even want to try it, they have convinced themselves that tactile feedback is necessary, when all it does, in fact, is slow you down unless you can use all 10 digits.

 

Keep using your wrench on that nail.

 

Edited November 10, 2010 by Y2HH

[Y2HH]

i just got my droid about a month ago and still trying to adjust to the onscreen keyboard. ( i have the droid 2 w/ the pullout physical keyboard for longer messages).

 

My biggest obstacle is that I want to type every letter w/ my right thumb and my left thumb doesn't want to do anything....haha

 

As I've told many people when they were having similar problems is that hold the device naturally as possible, so both thumbs are free to move, and don't TRY to help the phone correct your typing, just type. People tend to over compensate for the phone in trying to be precise, when they're actually making themselves less precise by over extending reach, etc. The software was designed to work with you, so don't try to work against it via "helping" it out.

[Controlled Chaos]

Blackberry keyboards are terrible, IMO. That said, all small form factor physical keyboards are terrible, but of them all, BB designed them ever so slightly better than the rest. The QWERTY keyboard was designed for two hands (10 fingers), not for 2 thumbs. The reason why you feel the way you do is simple, people forced themselves to get used to using a design in a way it was never meant to be used because it was ever so slightly better than the rest. In the end, it's still using a wrench to hammer in a nail. It works, and if you keep doing it, you can probably get it to work quite well...but it's still not a hammer. Now, they're stuck in their ways, despite a newer/better design existing that was designed almost specifically for 2 finger/2 thumb small form factor input, that being software driven multipoint touchscreen. Most don't even want to try it, they have convinced themselves that tactile feedback is necessary, when all it does, in fact, is slow you down unless you can use all 10 digits.

 

Keep using your wrench on that nail.

 

Does anyone use their fingers and not thumbs?

[Y2HH]

Does anyone use their fingers and not thumbs?

 

For other input means on the device, such as pinch to zoom, etc. So yes, though not specifically to type.

[BigSqwert]

For swype you use 1 finger.

[lostfan]

As I've told many people when they were having similar problems is that hold the device naturally as possible, so both thumbs are free to move, and don't TRY to help the phone correct your typing, just type. People tend to over compensate for the phone in trying to be precise, when they're actually making themselves less precise by over extending reach, etc. The software was designed to work with you, so don't try to work against it via "helping" it out.

That's probably why I keep f***ing it up.

[BigSqwert]

I just soiled my pants...

 

[RockRaines]

Boxee Box on its way to my house as we speak!!!!!

[Balta1701]

A Firefox fone? F***.

[Steve9347]

I just soiled my pants...

Dear Lord. It's like they put God in a cell phone.

[BigSqwert]

It's only a concept at this point.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Quick Android question:

My wife REALLY needs a PDA/Smartphone with a built in calendar that will beep and/or vibrate at certain times of the day to reminder her to do things. My first thought was a Droid (probably a Droid Pro). Here's my question: If you set a calendar event to notify you, can you set the phone to ring a certain tone when set to ring or vibrate when the phone is on vibrate?

[BigSqwert]

Quick Android question:

My wife REALLY needs a PDA/Smartphone with a built in calendar that will beep and/or vibrate at certain times of the day to reminder her to do things. My first thought was a Droid (probably a Droid Pro). Here's my question: If you set a calendar event to notify you, can you set the phone to ring a certain tone when set to ring or vibrate when the phone is on vibrate?

There are numerous apps that take care of custom notifications.

 

http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=notifications

Edited November 22, 2010 by BigSqwert