Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone • Hacker News Board

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#151

Post by Findecanor » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:07 PM UTC

bragr wrote: post #30

The proportions compared to a classic blackberry seem terrible for typing ergonomics. With a Blackberry, the overall device is closer to a square and the keyboard is basically the bottom half of the device. With the case, the keyboard is like the bottom 20% and it seems like the weight of the rest of the phone would be constantly trying to leverage it out of your grasp, especially since blackberries were like half as…

They did add a weight behind the keyboard so that it wouldn't feel too top-heavy.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#152

Post by andiareso » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:08 PM UTC

SushiHippie wrote: post #134

oslem wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds to me that you just described the format of a BlackBerry! I could almost envision a clip-on (or magnetic?) keyboard that sits on top of your screen when you need it. Perhaps it could be taken off and stored on the back of your phone, much like a MagSafe battery on an iPhone.

That could work too. A keyboard that you put on top of the screen, the only thing that would need to happen is that the operating system detects this and moves the content to the top, the same way as the software keyboard. Similar to what @walterbell suggested https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38872674

This existed before a lawsuit https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/20/5325272/typo-keyboard-rev...

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#153

Post by roywashere » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:09 PM UTC

TylerE wrote: post #106

SushiHippie wrote: post #69

This made me realise how much I'd love a physical keyboard on my phone. But not like this, this is too long and I don't think one will have a pleasant typing experience with this. I thought about this one for a few minutes, but I can't think of a good way to integrate a keyboard in a smartphone case, that will give you the experience of a blackberry or similar. The slide-out ones that you could use in horizontal orie…

I had an android phone with a physical keyboard. It was terrible. To avoid bloating the thing to a full on tablet the keys are so small it's practically impossible to not hit a whole cluster of keys, at least with my large-but-not-freakishly so hands. (e.g. average for a 6'ish adult male). To top it off the feel was horribly as the keys have about 0.1mm of travel.

I had the T-mobile G1 with the slide out keyboard. Loved it!!

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#154

Post by boomskats » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:12 PM UTC

codexb wrote: post #65

First it was flip phones. Now BlackBerry has come full circle. Can’t wait until windows phones and beepers make a comeback.

That's it, I'm doing it. I'm making a BlackBerry keyboard for my flip phone.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#155

Post by dumpHero2 » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:13 PM UTC

skygazer wrote: post #36

I both love this and am horrified. It looks like it'd turn a Pro Max into a 9 inch tall phone. Since it's a case, you'd need a new one each phone upgrade. (I used to do this with the Apple battery cases, until I came to my senses and/or magsafe.) Although, I still occasionally long for the blind accuracy of the old Blackberry keyboard. I think I'd prefer an adjustable magsafe attached keyboard that can do either land…

If it gains any traction, you'd be able to get a fairly decent Temu version in about 6 months from now for $30.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#156

Post by carlosjobim » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:13 PM UTC

SushiHippie wrote: post #69

This made me realise how much I'd love a physical keyboard on my phone. But not like this, this is too long and I don't think one will have a pleasant typing experience with this. I thought about this one for a few minutes, but I can't think of a good way to integrate a keyboard in a smartphone case, that will give you the experience of a blackberry or similar. The slide-out ones that you could use in horizontal orie…

You described the BlackBerry Priv.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#157

Post by rrix2 » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:13 PM UTC

RajT88 wrote: post #49

RHSeeger wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would love to a Droid 2 style keyboard for my phone http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/wireless/detail-page/mo...

The Astro Slide is exactly this. Although - good luck getting one. And once you have one, it's just OK. Missing some fit and finish both in hardware and software.

I dropped mine less than a foot and the display broke entirely, six months ago, and they never shipped the "protection pack" with extra screen protectors and a hard shell case. Their support has yet to reply, much less quote an RMA. :(

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#158

Post by koenraad » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:15 PM UTC

Fuck ‘content creation’ on mobile phones. I like mobile phones for two reasons, 1. because it is a phone and 2. because I can use it for authentication stuff. The rest is all focused on consuming and giving away your data.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#159

Post by VerminOctopus1 » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:16 PM UTC

I very quickly went from “that’s dumb” to “how do I order this?”, I have despised touch screen keyboards since they became a thing. I’m typing on one now, and I wish I wasn’t.

However I’m still on an iPhone 12 which is not supported. Hopefully when I upgrade they’ll have a superior version available. The ergonomics look goofy but I’m sure you adapt over time.

Re: Clicks – Physical keyboard for iPhone

#160

Post by jagger27 » Thu, Jan 04, 2024, 10:17 PM UTC

Buried deep in the FAQ, you have to take it out of the case to use wired CarPlay on USB-C iPhones. That is a real bummer.

> Clicks for iPhone 15 Pro (and models that use USB-C) only support fast charging while Clicks is on your iPhone. At this time, the USB-C connector will not allow for both Clicks to be connected to the iPhone and allow for data and charging. This means using wired CarPlay or transfer data will require you to remove your iPhone from Clicks. Listening to music via Bluetooth and connecting to CarPlay wirelessly will still work with Clicks installed.

https://www.clicks.tech/faqs