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Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

theverge.com

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Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#71

Post by rchaud »

jaredandrews wrote: post #34

I had the "blackberry key one" from 2017 to 2018 and I really loved it. Like the Titan it had a keyboard, but it was an otherwise normal sized phone with a passable camera. Unfortunately it broke after one year, basically it split in half. I was hoping Blackberry would continue iterating on the design and I looked forward to buying a future, sturdier version but from what I can tell they abandoned that. So... When I…

They've since moved on to the Titan Slim, which has a narrow aspect ratio like most Android phones.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#72

Post by rchaud »

pluijzer wrote: post #51

As a side note on the state of phones; I am a bit disappointed by the current state of them. When I walk past the phone section in the electronic store it is nothing but boring black slabs. No real innovation, No real reason to buy one over the other. For me there is absolutely, zero, reason to buy a new phone to replace my current five year old black rectangle. Which is perfect against e-waste of course, but part of…

I'm using a foldable phone with a pressure-sensitive pen, so I'm not familiar with this lack of innovation that you speak of.

I can prop it up, pull out a folding BT keyboard and I've got a mini laptop that fits in a coat pocket.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#73

Post by dm319 »

I started on the Psion 3a, then 5mx, Nokia E90, Nokia N900.

And then sadly I ran out of good options.

Nothing beats a good keyboard (though it does also need to be a good one).

I would love another clamshell design, maybe with an e-ink display, running debian like my N900.

EDIT: I do have a beady eye on Planet Computing's machines: https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/devices

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#74

Post by rchaud »

benbristow wrote: post #16

Steve Ballmer on the release of the first iPhone: “And it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard. Which makes it not a very good email machine.”

Microsoft had the last laugh though. In the 2000s, Blackberry basically owned "enterprise cloud" for mobile communications; BBM and BES. Today that's been replaced by an Android or iPhone running Outlook and using Active Directory. That's really what Ballmer wanted, he didn't care about hardware or consumer applications like Apple did.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#75

Post by rchaud »

catapart wrote: post #44

I still have a Blackberry Key 2 that I use for development. Awesome little phone: https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/27/17504714/blackberry-key2-... Fully android with a nice keyboard that was even touch-sensitive, so you could run your finger across it to scroll. Absolute game-changer, for me at least. I have been wanting someone to add a touch-sensitive volume rocker that I could use the touch-sensitivity for scrollin…

The Key2 was a truly great phone; BB messed it up by pricing it too high, then releasing a cheaper version (Key2 LE) that had a much worse keyboard. Meanwhile the original quickly sold out its initial production run, and the supply wasn't replenished. It was either Key2 LE or nothing.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#76

Post by dm319 »

pluijzer wrote: post #32
st_goliath wrote: post #4

I miss my N900. On screen keyboards are a PITA, they have zero haptic feedback and I constantly end up fat fingering all over the place.

I don't miss my N900; I still use it. I do not use it so much as a phone and more as a pocket computer. Install PostmarketOS on it with Emacs. Made a configuration that is very comfortable with the keyboard. I actually use daily, using it to write my journal, emails, have Telegram working on it within Emacs. Even whip it out in the train now and again to do some explorative coding. My favorite use of it is writing do…

I'd love a modern equivalent. Maybe have a look at the Gemini by planet computers. Isn't there something you can do with pihole to get browsing? I remember someone doing this where it removes adverts and compresses images for a better mobile experience.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#77

Post by soylentcola »

FridayoLeary wrote: post #12
RobotToaster wrote: post #11

I miss the keyboard on the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1[0], it hid behind the screen until you needed it, so there was no need to sacrifice screen or keyboard size. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Dream

Aren't sliding keyboards dust traps?

I had a couple of HTC PocketPCs and a Palm Pre back in the day. All were sliders and never had dust issues. Just unpolished UI (WinMo) and underpowered hardware (Pre).

I'd love a "modern" phone that's a slab with a landscape slider keyboard. Don't care if it makes the phone thicker (especially if they use the space to cram in some more battery capacity).

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#78

Post by pluijzer »

dm319 wrote: post #76
pluijzer wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't miss my N900; I still use it. I do not use it so much as a phone and more as a pocket computer. Install PostmarketOS on it with Emacs. Made a configuration that is very comfortable with the keyboard. I actually use daily, using it to write my journal, emails, have Telegram working on it within Emacs. Even whip it out in the train now and again to do some explorative coding. My favorite use of it is writing do…

I'd love a modern equivalent. Maybe have a look at the Gemini by planet computers. Isn't there something you can do with pihole to get browsing? I remember someone doing this where it removes adverts and compresses images for a better mobile experience.

That is actually a great idea, thank you. A quick search came up with Browservice I will give it a go tonight.

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#79

Post by mst »

RobotToaster wrote: post #11

I miss the keyboard on the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1[0], it hid behind the screen until you needed it, so there was no need to sacrifice screen or keyboard size. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Dream

I still miss my Nokia N900.

Being able to feel a text or other message come in, pulling it out and popping the keyboard to activate the screen, reading the message, and then being able to type my response with two thumbs without looking at the screen was a delight.

Plus the one window per conversation thing across all protocols (it was IIRC libpurple backed) worked -really- well due to the extremely good window switching system.

Oh, and a resistive touch screen which meant (a) tactile feedback (b) it actually worked in mild rain.

Ok, it was significantly pants at pretty much everything else, but as an upgraded pure communications device I don't think I've ever liked anything better (remove 'upgraded' and it and my beloved series of 6310i dumbphones are neck and neck).

Re: Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

#80

Post by vulcan01 »

joseph_grobbles wrote: post #13
isaacfrond wrote: post #2

From the article: Yes, that means I can access all of my favorite desktop keyboard shortcuts on my phone. Need to select all? Function-A. Want to search a page? Function-F. Undo? Yup, I can do that, too. I can even hit Function-L in Chrome to jump to the address bar and immediately start typing in the site I want to go to. That is something that I miss in my iPhone. The ability to press 'del' or undo.

FWIW, with a bluetooth keyboard it is pretty shocking how complete the keyboard support in iOS. I have a K480 at the office for those random times I need to respond to something on my iPhone and don't want to deal with the crippling restrictions of an onscreen keyboard, and I hugely recommend it. With the keyboard almost every norm of macOS is supported.

I believe the keyboard support in iOS is thorough due to the iPad Pro and its related keyboard accessory.
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