Live data from Hacker News

Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023

theverge.com

91–100 of 101 posts

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

#91

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?

My sliding keyboard phone used to disassemble itself whenever I dropped it, which had the unintended benefit of being self-cleaning.

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

#92
post #84
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 key…

That's a shame to hear. Seems software support is also an issue (I guess as it often is with mobile hardware).

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

#94
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this an iOS feature? Where do I find it?

Not that I know of. Unfortunately the best flashlight gesture experience in the business seems to be sold by Motorola. At least last I checked. My friend liked mine and even found an Android app for trying it on his phone, but basically it was 3x slower than the Moto gestures version despite being on a much faster phone. Not sure why.

I love how the ability to shake your phone to turn on the flashlight is practically gated by Motorola. God forbid we are able to do what we want with our phones. Gotta get vendor approval first.

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

#95

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…

Stovetops too imo. Being able to clean the whole thing with a quick wipe is so nice. Hate having to clean and remove knobs.

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

#96
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was confused by my iPhone asking me constantly if I want to undo typing. Turned out this was the device thinking I am shaking to undo.

Interesting. Do you find you have a shakier than usual phone grip? I know that iPhones can alert the user when ambient noise levels exceed safety thresholds, and Apple Watches can detect and alert about detected falls, and even atrial fibrillation. I wouldn't be surprised if phone accelerometer signal processing could predict something like Parkinson's disease.

This thing triggers all the time on me when I do something like drop the phone on myself.

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

#97

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…

Blame YouTubers/Influencers for that, they constantly push for uniformity with "comparisons". Samsung released a new phone? Top phone YouTubers will quickly compare how they like the feel of iPhone or Pixel vs Samsung and how it holds on their hand, how it's matte, how it's sized and companies want to win those points. So satisfying them is a priority. So we end up with matte black, thin, rectangles.

This just signifies that we have got the design right. I don't go out and compare this years models of bicycles, because the design has been perfected for decades. The ones selling now look the same as my 5 year old bike.

Rapid change and improvement just means an immature product.

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

#98

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…

Quite jealous… mine died after about 3 years because the usb port came unsoldered inside and the only way to charge it was to take the battery out and use an external charger :/

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

#99

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.

My keyboard accessory fits both of my PinePhones and my PinePhone Pro - it's not easy to put it in or out, but that makes it stay in and not fall out accidentaly.

That said, in mine the accesories battery no longer charges, so there are definitely issues with the keyboard accessory aside from being humongous.

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

#100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Blame YouTubers/Influencers for that, they constantly push for uniformity with "comparisons". Samsung released a new phone? Top phone YouTubers will quickly compare how they like the feel of iPhone or Pixel vs Samsung and how it holds on their hand, how it's matte, how it's sized and companies want to win those points. So satisfying them is a priority. So we end up with matte black, thin, rectangles.

This just signifies that we have got the design right. I don't go out and compare this years models of bicycles, because the design has been perfected for decades. The ones selling now look the same as my 5 year old bike. Rapid change and improvement just means an immature product.

But the bicycle design wasn't determined by influencers. It was defined by years of design improvements by multiple innovators. Influencers bought us phones with glass backs, no battery, non existent headphone jack. Weird hole on the screen, curved edges, camera bumps. The design is definitely not right, okay they didn't bring it but they normalized it so much that companies are in pursuit of their requirements.
Post reply on HN