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Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

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

#81

Post by dsr_ »

gspencley wrote: post #59
albert_e wrote: post #53

I am a big fan of physical buttons -- in phones, in-car entertainment systems, and other gadgets that we operate with our hands/fingers. And am generally disdainful of sacrifies made to physical controls in favour of virtual ones. I also hope to see a few more physical buttons for vital functions (like mute or camera shut off on phones and laptops) Having said that -- But one benefit of the on-screen virtual keyboard…

> And am generally disdainful of sacrifies made to physical controls in favour of virtual ones I agree with you with one single exception. I own a high-end blender that has a touch-screen and I think that's the one and only use-case that I have found where virtual controls win out by far. Not having the risk of food spilling into keys on a food-making device, and being able to wipe up spills quickly and easily with a…

I have a high-end blender with two toggles and a dial. No keys, no screen.

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

#82

Post by kgwxd »

I used the Titan for about a year, after having gone too far in the small-as-possible direction (Jelly 2). I thought I wanted a hardware keyboard again, last one was an Env2 which I remember loving, but it wasn't really any better than an onscreen one and there are a lot of downsides to the odd screen size.

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

#84

Post by zevv »

dm319 wrote: post #73

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

I've been using the Gemini for 5 years or so, and also signed up for the slide; after years they are still to deliver. Bad communication, no numbers about units shipepd, barely any info on progress in their status updates on Indigogo - we'll have to see if I will ever receive the device. Initial reviews are not good either: the keyboard seems to be crappy and missing or duplicating keystrokes - a shame, given the keyboard would be the main selling point of the device.

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

#85

Post by seba_dos1 »

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.

To be frank, while I preferred N900 keyboard for writing messages, I found programming on the phone to be less pleasant on N900 than it was on Neo Freerunner with resistive touch screen. I find today's capacitive screens to be a PITA for both these use cases though.

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

#86

Post by 29083011397778 »

cmdialog wrote: post #29
monopoliessuck wrote: post #25

Pinephone is saving the world here[0]. [0] https://pine64.com/product/pinephone-pinephone-pro-keyboard-...

Yeah I got a Pinephone for this exact peripheral and it doesn't even correctly fit the size of the phone. Not universal for all their phones so beware.

Per grandparent's link:

> Compatible with PinePhone and PinePhone Pro

How did yours not fit? The body of the OG and Pro Pinephones are the exact same, it's only the internals that are different. I literally use the back cover from my OG Pinephone for my Pro, and am hanging onto my dead Pinephone for spare parts, should I ever break the screen on my Pro.

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

#87

Post by jaredandrews »

rchaud wrote: post #71
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.

Thank you for sharing :) Will probably impulse buy this in the next 24 hours. Also wow, this reminds me a lot of the key one.

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

#88

Post by rektide »

I'm pretty sad with myself for getting OK-ish at using a Twiddler then forgetting. A one handed chording keyboard continues to feel ideal here.

To be fair it does imply need two hands, one to hold the display and one to type. Or you could find a way to wear your display... Arm mount your phone, or a heads up display.

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

#89

Post by marssaxman »

I had both the Blackberry KeyOne and the Key2; I loved the combination of normal Android software with a real keyboard. When my Key2 broke last year, I bought the cheapest Samsung available, since I knew I was probably going to hate using it anyway - there is just no joy in fumbling around on a glass keyboard. I hope there will be a good keyboard option available next time I need a phone.

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

#90

Post by KenArrari »

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.”

And he was right, typing anything meaningful on a touch screen was awful up until the point swipe keyboards were made.
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