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Hello everyone,
I'd like to buy a X1 but i'm hesitating with the future TOUCH HD ...
My question is : "Could you give me some arguments to prefer a hardware keyboard, instead of a fullscreen soft keyboard such as the SPB full screen Keyboard"
I'm a SonyErricson Fan, but the fact is i have not so many arguments to prefer hardware keyboard instead of a soft one on a huge screen like the one of the the HTC TOUCH HD (3,8 Inches)...
Maybe you'll have some very good arguments...
Thanks very much.
zoltan_cs said:
Hello everyone,
I'd like to buy a X1 but i'm hesitating with the future TOUCH HD ...
My question is : "Could you give me some arguments to prefer a hardware keyboard, instead of a fullscreen soft keyboard such as the SPB full screen Keyboard"
I'm a SonyErricson Fan, but the fact is i have not so many arguments to prefer hardware keyboard instead of a soft one on a huge screen like the one of the the HTC TOUCH HD (3,8 Inches)...
Maybe you'll have some very good arguments...
Thanks very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. god forbid that you get into an accident and cant see, you are in a better position with a tactile keyboard where you can feel what keys you are pressing.
2. Another point is that in my opinion with the tactile keyboard they typing is much much more accurate and faster than on screen.
3. Another with 700 and 1000 dollar phones I try to minimize my screen contact as much as possible just out of personal preference.
4. Just having the option to use the tactile keyboard is a plus ... i sorta dont like having one option.
One advantage of a hardware keyboard is that you have more screen real estate to use when entering text, plus typing on a windows mobile touchscreen keyboard without a stylus is asking for trouble.
The X1's keyboard is very good.
hutchy69 said:
One advantage of a hardware keyboard is that you have more screen real estate to use when entering text, plus typing on a windows mobile touchscreen keyboard without a stylus is asking for trouble.
The X1's keyboard is very good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the Touch Pro´s is even better
Mr.Sir said:
But the Touch Pro´s is even better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But screen resultion is lower, X1 has more hardware buttons (I am using App Button Plus to have single and double click) and last but not least the battery on X1 is much better according to the information on this forum.
Downside:
X1 has a "frame screen", Touch Pro is "frameless"
Because of the hardware buttons and the battery I am in favour of the X1
The hardware keyboard is for me not the key decicion maker
Claus
dingolino said:
Downside:
X1 has a "frame screen", Touch Pro is "frameless"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? please explain
He means that the X1 has a recessed screen (makes the edges difficult to touch with your fingers/can be a dust trap/protects the screen) whilst the Touch Pro's screen is flush with the case (making edges easy to touch and alleviating the dust problem but leaving the screen Vulnerable to scratches).
ah ok, he means "recessed" thank you for clarification
BuddyLee said:
1. god forbid that you get into an accident and cant see, you are in a better position with a tactile keyboard where you can feel what keys you are pressing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. BuddyLee: this is so funny.
BuddyLee said:
2. Another point is that in my opinion with the tactile keyboard they typing is much much more accurate and faster than on screen.
4. Just having the option to use the tactile keyboard is a plus ... i sorta dont like having one option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer.
Could someone else give me his/her opinion on theses points... i ask because i really have no idea if it's really much faster to have a hardware keyboard.
Thanks a lot for your responses.
pharaons said:
LOL. BuddyLee: this is so funny.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But so true my friend, so true
dingolino said:
Downside:
X1 has a "frame screen", Touch Pro is "frameless"
Claus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that a good thing? Not that easy to get unesesary scratches?
zoltan_cs said:
Hello everyone,
I'd like to buy a X1 but i'm hesitating with the future TOUCH HD ...
My question is : "Could you give me some arguments to prefer a hardware keyboard, instead of a fullscreen soft keyboard such as the SPB full screen Keyboard"
I'm a SonyErricson Fan, but the fact is i have not so many arguments to prefer hardware keyboard instead of a soft one on a huge screen like the one of the the HTC TOUCH HD (3,8 Inches)...
Maybe you'll have some very good arguments...
Thanks very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Zoltan_cs,
back to a year ago or so it didn't matter most people used the phones
just for that: To call. Not any more. Phones are closing the gap with
the laptop. And the Xperia is one the leaders of the pack.
Soon you will be involved with a lot of practical applications that
need heavy data entry and the keyboard gives you 40 to 60 keys
to do it with efficiency.
As for a touch keyboard to be REALLY efficent the screen needs to be
larger and that point it will be too bulky to carry, and even then you
lose a lot of screen for your documents.
So by now you can guess that I want a laptop on my shirt pocket
but with hardware keyboard.
As for the xperia Keyboard, in a small space it has the biggers keys
and the more space between the keys than any othe comparable
phone. Besides the layout of the keys is like in a real keyboard.
The PRO for example has an square checkerborad layout with small
keys very close together and with 5 rows i get lost finding a key.
Some say the keys of the PRO have a better click than the Xperia.
Personally, the pros of the Xperia weight for me more than the cons.
NOTE: If you only make call, text msg and listen to music.
You don't n eed a hardware keyboard.
I'm just curious of one thing ...
How fast is it to type a full A4 page on the X1 (or phones with hardware keyboard) instead of a laptop or a Desktop PC ?
Pinguino1 said:
Hi Zoltan_cs,
back to a year ago or so it didn't matter most people used the phones
just for that: To call. Not any more. Phones are closing the gap with
the laptop. And the Xperia is one the leaders of the pack.
Soon you will be involved with a lot of practical applications that
need heavy data entry and the keyboard gives you 40 to 60 keys
to do it with efficiency.
As for a touch keyboard to be REALLY efficent the screen needs to be
larger and that point it will be too bulky to carry, and even then you
lose a lot of screen for your documents.
So by now you can guess that I want a laptop on my shirt pocket
but with hardware keyboard.
As for the xperia Keyboard, in a small space it has the biggers keys
and the more space between the keys than any othe comparable
phone. Besides the layout of the keys is like in a real keyboard.
The PRO for example has an square checkerborad layout with small
keys very close together and with 5 rows i get lost finding a key.
Some say the keys of the PRO have a better click than the Xperia.
Personally, the pros of the Xperia weight for me more than the cons.
NOTE: If you only make call, text msg and listen to music.
You don't n eed a hardware keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'd rather have the larger screen and use a BT keyboard when i need to enter lots of data with my phone...
Zoltan_cs
Dude, I am exactly in the same situation as you are Waiting for the 3rd of november to actually GO TO THE STORES AND TRY BOTH OF THEM!
A friend of mine has an X1 and as I can mention, the screen is very scratch-sensitive, at least more than one of Diamond or T-Pro. The plastic coating on the screen is not that "bulletproof" and a first feeling I get is being-afraid-to-scratch-it-with-my-nails. Xperia-users, what do you say?
I am a guy and I have my thumb and little finger a little long and I'd be damned if I were to use my xperia without any screen protection. Worse yet if you are asked by someone to show them the phone and they rough up the xperia. Someone would have to die
Which is why ill use the keyboard if I have to and the screen when it is necessary.
My reasons:
I prefer my phone to be a bit fatter but smaller in the other dimensions.
Soft keyboard uses screen space.
Tactile feedback. I find it easier to find the right letter n the first try. I am having less typing errors now that I'm using a hardware keyboard. I admit I never tried an iPhone but from seeing people using it I wouldn't like to. I would like to try a BlackBerry Storm though.
Playing action games (console emulators) is a lot easier.
And of course you can still choose to use the soft keyboard in those cases where you prefer to.
Hello El filou
I see that you are from belgium ... in fact i'm french but i work and live in Belgium...
Thank you for your post these arguments seem to be very clear.
A question : For emulation game ? do you think it will be easy with the Xperia hardware keyboard to play these games without directional keys ?
thanks
A few emulators allow to map keys to console buttons. You can map letters on the hardware keyboard, which has the advantage of better mimicking a console pad layout more than using the dpad on the right.
Console emulators migt be considered warez by the board admins so I won't discuss this much further.
And if it doesn't work, I hope some nice developer will make an emulator panel.
Guys - great information in the Blackstone forum - wow! I have been following this device for a while, and may want to take the plunge on it (after being disappointed with the Diamond and the Fuze). But - I really need to know how the typing is on this thing? I have read some negative and positive comments on this and other Forums, and I would love to get some opinions. I am a user of Nokia, BlackBerry and the iPhone (cell-phone crack addict), and even though I don't type a book on my phone each day, I do answer about 30 texts and 20 emails per day (1 to 3 sentence responses), and I want to make sure I will not struggle with the typing on this box. I crank on my various Nokia's and my iPhone (BlackBerry goes without saying) - and I don't want to slow down drastically with this device.
Could anyone give me some "real world" experience? I could see myself using the keyboard in both Portrait and Landscape mode - depending on what I was doing at the time.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Adam
I find it remarkably well, after getting used to typing instead of writing (I come from PalmOS). Still, my advice is go to a phone shop and try for yourself to see if your fingers aren't too fat
But at least allow for the fact that the first time typing on a touchscreen is going to feel wierd and that you will improve.
I find it really good (coming from the HTC Touch which was sooo small and a pain even when using the stylus). Typing fast its fairly accurate and although you can tweak it to write in landscape I generally type in portrait. I have spent a fair amount of time with the iphone too and although not directly comparative it really is a fairly close call.
(oh and i have fat fingers )
I have had my HD for about 3 weeks now. I don't type that often on it, but I can tell I am getting better. I usually make about one mistake per sentence, but I must say, that I type somewhat slow to avoid making mistakes.
I also see a pattern of mistakes, that show I probably need to practice accuracy with my fingers. For example I often type: W instead of E, S instead of A, X instead of C. All these are left hand keys, so I guess my right hand is better. My right hand sometimes types the space bar instead of B or N in portrait mode.
In landscape mode I make fewer mistakes. However, you will need third-party software to rotate the keyboard in messaging applications.
One BIG annoying thing in landscape mode when you are writing - say, a text message - is that the "Send" button is directly below the "z" and "x" keys (or Y and X in German keyboard). It has happened to me that I want to type one of those letters and I accidentally hit Send - and away goes the unfinished message!! This does not happen in portrait mode because there are other keys (CapsLock, D-pad etc) above the Send button.
This is my first touch-screen phone, so I can't compare it to others.
All in all, I am pleased with the keyboard, and I can see that I am improving. That leads me to believe that it is really just a matter of practice. But, for you it might be different since you are used to other phones. It would be best if you can test one at a store (unless you live in the U.S.).
Here are 2 youtube videos with reviews on the HD keyboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh7YJ-upe1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st7ivblVZwY
I came from the Touch (Elf) to the HD. The extra space on the screen means typing with the full Qwerty keyboard is much easier with fingers. I'm quicker with my finger tip than I am with the stylus, whereas the opposite was true with the Elf. I usually use the portrait screen mode and I like the layout of the keyboard in this mode.
On my Elf I installed PocketCM Keyboard which had the auto-correct feature similar to the keyboard of the iPhone. I miss this feature with my HD's keyboard although I'm making fewer mistakes even without this. The auto-correct meant that I could even type one-handed on the Elf but the bigger screen on the HD makes one-handed typing difficult.
But I agree that you should try the keyboard yourself before deciding.
You've got a fair few different styles with third aprty keyboards - something feature packed like touchpal (check youtube for examples), or resco/spb. Should be possible to customise it to suit your preferences.
Personally I like landscape mode, bashing away with both thumbs. The huge screen means the key sizes are quite practical.
Terrific feedback everyone - thanks! I saw a few videos just now, and it appears that you can crank with T9 or mini-QWERTY pretty well, but the full QWERTY in portrait looked a bit harder to use....maybe in Landscape it will be a bit easier?
No Mobile shops near me on Long Island, NY to test this out in-person, so I'm going to have to "wing it" and place the order if I decide on the HD.
Cheers.
I am having some problems with it because I come from a QVGA 2.8" and the WVGA 3.8" is really huge but considering that you have used an iPhone, the transition should be a lot smoother for you.
I am definitely getting the hang of it and improving by the day so I would say that typing is really great on it.
I actually switch a lot between built-in compact and full qwerty boards and leave T9 off. Anybody actually use any of the other built-ins, like the full keyboard etc?
adamzeit said:
....maybe in Landscape it will be a bit easier?
No Mobile shops near me on Long Island, NY to test this out in-person, so I'm going to have to "wing it" and place the order if I decide on the HD.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. yes, landscape is easier (except for the send button issue I mentioned)
2. If you wing it - I don't think you'll be disappointed. Especially if you have been looking into it and know the pros and cons discussed in this forum. (Mostly pros)
One minor glitch I found using qwerty keyboard in landscape (using Gyrator2) is the displacement of the dot with the comma, so when you want to type one you have to click on the other and viceversa. This doesn't happen in portrait
Great - feedback - thanks for the quick replies everyone. I decided to indeed "wing it" - and I should have this bad-boy in my hands tomorrow morning!
I'll continue scrolling through the WiKi and such, but besides installing Gyrator2, another other suggestions for my "out of the box" approach?
Thanks!
I used to love the physical keyboard on the TyTn II (Kaiser) I had as it was the closest thing to a full size qwerty keyboard. Made typing a joy. I was weary to abandon a keyboard for strictly virtual keyboard. So I went to the local shop, tried typing and did not like it. I decided to wait till the HD Pro comes (or similar) but that beautifully large, high resolution screen kept bringing me back. I then decided to try it in landscape mode. I sadly found out that HTC did not provide that option, which lead me to this very wonderful forum for help. I found out that you could edit the registry to bring the option of rotating to landscape. I did that at the shop and then unfortunately found out the next fall, it would not remain in landscape because of TF3D home screen and the dialer. I did not hesitate about turning off TF3d because I u se SPB apps (almost all of them collectively on the home screen) but the dialer menu/screen , when accessed - to dial a number for example, would retard the screen back to portrait which made owning it frustrating. Thats till I found out that changing from the HTC dialer to the standard/default WM dialer would allow me to keep it in landscape. Apparently HTC designed thier dialer in portrait mode, which is restricted from rotating. I did eventually loose the HTC dialer (the WM dialer is not that nice) but the large screen, faster processor outweighed the dialer loss.
Typing in landscape mode using full qwerty keyboard is actually a bit easier but you have to get used to the fact that you will not get a physical response. You know , when you press the button and it goes back up. Other than this its not problem.
I do miss the shortcuts provided by the TyTn II keyboard. Like the Fn + ok turns on wifi, Fn+ -> key opens up the explorer window.
CorruptedSanity said:
Typing in landscape mode using full qwerty keyboard is actually a bit easier but you have to get used to the fact that you will not get a physical response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for "TouchResponse". This will make your phone vibrating by touching the screen.
johnpatcher said:
Look for "TouchResponse". This will make your phone vibrating by touching the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh My God man! I thank you infinitely!!!!!!!!!!
The little vibes gave me that "TyTn II keyboard" sensation I missed so much. Now I feel 100 times more comfortable looking at the text when typing rather watching whether I tapped the correct key on the keyboard.
Thanks to the generous creator of the app too.
The best part is that you can customize how intense the vibrations are.
Does "TouchResponse" make it vibrate only on the keyboard or does it vibrate in any and every application every time you touch the screen?
EDIT: By the way, can someone provide a link to TouchResponse. I can't seem to find it via search.
To have truly easy typing with your THUMB, use Tengo Thumb. It works like the T9 version of COMPACT QWERTY, except the keys are grouped into six areas instead of 12. Precision is not needed. When you need to type words not in the dictionary, use non-predictive typing with either finger nail or stylus to precisely touch the specific key within the large area.
Chris Cross said:
Does "TouchResponse" make it vibrate only on the keyboard or does it vibrate in any and every application every time you touch the screen?
EDIT: By the way, can someone provide a link to TouchResponse. I can't seem to find it via search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2008/12/12/touchresponse-022-vibrate-on-touch-for-windows-mobile.html
scroll down to the bottom.....
adamzeit said:
http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2008/12/12/touchresponse-022-vibrate-on-touch-for-windows-mobile.html
scroll down to the bottom.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A-ha!! Thank you!
I tried the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone before switching to the Touch HD using SPB keyboard - having come from Sony Ericsson P series phones before that.
With SPB keyboard I can honestly say that I make as few mistakes as I do when typing on my laptop QWERTY. It's terrific. And I don't mean the auto-correction feature a la iPhone. This just isn't necessary as my accuracy is first rate on the huge keyboard.
When I got the 'phone I immediatly downloaded gyrator to have access to a landscape keyboard but I really don't need it. My accuracy is spot on in portrait.
It´s been a month since I "upgraded" from Diamond to the X1
Overall I am very pleased with the X1, BUT:
1.- I miss the smooth (flat) screen edges!! Corners are difficult to reach with my thumbs in the X1 because the screen is depressed from the chassis. The diamond's screen was flat with the chassis, thus making it very easy to press/touch icons in the corners
2.- The VOLUME keys should be located at the left, not the right (IMHO)
3.- I miss the circular touch control from the diamond: it let me zoom/pan very fast in excel and opera (circular finger movement around the central button). At least a "jog dial (p800-esque?) would have been nice...
4.- It's easy to press the "panel" button (wrongly) to answer a phone call !!
5.- Having a hardware "back" button was a plus in the diamond
6.- The "power" button is too hidden.
7.- The mini-USB connector is located at the natural left finger position. It should be ergonomically positioned down the phone ??
8.- Regarding the HW keyboard, I miss a couple of extra keys from the TyTN (dedicated CTRL key, windows context menu key, those two "softkeys" up there... etc) and I find the first row of keys too close to the phone body, making it difficult to type in the upper row
9.- Sony's standard panel is cool but dull, TouchFlo 3D was VERY USEFUL and practical... I got so used to doing everything with my THUMBS instead of the stylus...
Anybody else has noticed/missed these hardware/design issues ??
I know this is Sony's FIRST WM PDA phone
Hope any Sony engineer is reading this post
ad 1. We discussed this topic before. A few users are with you opinion and a few users (including me) like the recessed screen because it protects the screen from scratches and I haven't got any problems with pressing anything until now.
ad 2. I never had a phone with the volume keys on the left. I think they are okay where they are. Good to reach, either you hold the phone in the left or the right hand.
ad 3. I don't know the circular touch, but it sounds interesting.
ad 4. What thumbs do you have?
ad 5. The touch button is okay for me. If not, you have the two buttons below the screens to configurate.
ad 6. The power button is perfect, because it wakes up the phone and therefore it has to be hidden. It shall not be pressed unintentional while the phone is in my pocket.
ad 7. Then the phone could not be charged while it is in a carholder. Most carholders are closed on the bottom so I'm very happy with the layout while navigating with the X1.
ad 8. A bigger keyboard would make the writing easier but the phone bigger. It's a good compromise in my opinion. I got used to the keyboard and now writing's very fast.
ad 9. That's a matter of taste, really! Let me quote myself:
The panels are great. With the SE-Panel you have everything you need in one panel -calender, messaging, weather, shortcuts aso...
You don't need to change pages like with the touchflothing. TouchFlo is one of the reasons for me not to buy a HTC phone.
I now have the SE Desktop Panel with everything I need, additionally a fullscreen weather panel if I want to know more about forecast, windspeeds and whatelse, one panel for everything that's multimedia and one panel is for the navigation software TomTom which works great with with the internal GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anybody else has noticed/missed these hardware/design issues ??
I know this is Sony's FIRST WM PDA phone
Hope any Sony engineer is reading this post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say that, but I like these "issues" and, as you can see, I have my reasons. But each user has its own pros and cons so the "perfect" phone is not going to happen
I too moved from a diamond to an x1 nearly a month ago, overall I think i prefer the X1.
my previous windows mobiles all had some kind of hardware keyboard, be that a full qwerty or dialpad,
(SPV c500, C550, C600, HTC wizard, HTC TYTN)
I really struggled at first without the keyboard,
I then got really annoyed with how dirty the diamond touch screen got from typing,
it also got VERY scratched because of the flat touchscreen, which i never experienced with previous phones,
yes the X1 has its little quirks, but I got to say its either equal to or better than any HTC device i know of, even htc never get it 100% right...
cheers
Steve
gtrab said:
1.- I miss the smooth (flat) screen edges!! Corners are difficult to reach with my thumbs in the X1 because the screen is depressed from the chassis. The diamond's screen was flat with the chassis, thus making it very easy to press/touch icons in the corners
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also got no problems with the recesed screen, actually I prefer it like that, gives a "little" more protection.
gtrab said:
2.- The VOLUME keys should be located at the left, not the right (IMHO)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a matter of taste, anyways, they must be where the camera is, as they allo to zoom (on lower mpix. resolutions)
gtrab said:
3.- I miss the circular touch control from the diamond: it let me zoom/pan very fast in excel and opera (circular finger movement around the central button). At least a "jog dial (p800-esque?) would have been nice...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I don't like those "touch" controls that the newer htc's got...
gtrab said:
4.- It's easy to press the "panel" button (wrongly) to answer a phone call !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never pressed the panel button when answering...
gtrab said:
5.- Having a hardware "back" button was a plus in the diamond
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
useless...
gtrab said:
6.- The "power" button is too hidden.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
better... sucks turning on accidentally your phone...
gtrab said:
7.- The mini-USB connector is located at the natural left finger position. It should be ergonomically positioned down the phone ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's actually better for me...
gtrab said:
8.- Regarding the HW keyboard, I miss a couple of extra keys from the TyTN (dedicated CTRL key, windows context menu key, those two "softkeys" up there... etc) and I find the first row of keys too close to the phone body, making it difficult to type in the upper row
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, ctrl key would be great, but the other ones I don't need them, actually the upper part is in a nice position so is easy to combine keyb+screen
gtrab said:
9.- Sony's standard panel is cool but dull, TouchFlo 3D was VERY USEFUL and practical... I got so used to doing everything with my THUMBS instead of the stylus...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Panels sux (actually) just like touchflo.
I've used touchflo in other devices and always end disabling it.
anyways, at least with panels we have a nice facebook one... let's hope more come soon.
10: I always cover the loudspeaker with my fingers while holding the X1. Would have been better position on the back- or downside of the device. But maybe i could just drill a hole....
Ah and
11: First touch resonse works on the Diamond, the X1 just brigthens the screenlight and you have to click again.
1. The screen design on the X1 is better, its too exposed on the Diamond.
2. Not true.
3. I like the joystic on the X1 better than the "wheel"
4. I have mapped my program launcher to the panel button + I dont have fat fingers
5. Not in my opinion, I found it rather useless. HW softkeys are much more usefull
6. No way, its better than in Diamond
7. USB connector is located in little bit weird place, but use your phone on landscape while connected, how does it sit now?
8. What you mean TyTN had CTRL, you mean you had Touch Pro not Diamond or TyTN? CTRL missing from the keyboard is disadvantage. Coming from TP I found the upper row to be close to screen at first, but now I do not experience this problem anymore, probably got used to it
9. I dont even have panels installed, or even TF3D
As you see most of these are just opinions...
One thing you did not mention is the magnetic stylus holder in the Diamond and Touch Pro... But you also did not write any of the pro's that X1 has over those devices...
I had Diamond and Touch Pro and I do prefer X1 over them... Only big thing we are missing is a stable and tweaked rom... Dutty's comingggggggggggggggggggg.....
What people seem to be forgetting is that you couldn't make a phone with a flush screen and a metal housing.
The Diamond / TP does a little vibrate when someone picks up your call, am i right? (I'm not a Diamond user)
That is a VERY handy feature in my opinion. Would've been great if that would be possible on the X1.
I have a Polaris/Touch Cruise/Orbit 02, and also got an X1 a couple of weeks ago. I really miss the scroll wheel from the Polaris as well as the Cube/touchflo. Navigation for me was much simpler. Maybe it's just the usual case of configuring Window Mobile to personal preferences. I've installed HTC Home flike I had on the Polaris and this has made things easier.
I Also find the non-flush keyboard a problem, especially when typing on the screen keyboard. On full qwerty keyboard I find it difficult hitting the keys on the left or right edge of the screen.
I remember when I got the Polaris (after having a Hermes) I had to change settings/software until I was happy with it's operation/navigation. Hopefully, it'll be the same with the X1.
SomeoneSimple said:
The Diamond / TP does a little vibrate when someone picks up your call, am i right? (I'm not a Diamond user)
That is a VERY handy feature in my opinion. Would've been great if that would be possible on the X1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a software feature that I would imagine wouldnt be that hard to transfer to X1...
Yes, its a software feature with the Phone application. Should work on any custom ROM with the Blackstonephone - like on mine ...
nurps said:
10: I always cover the loudspeaker with my fingers while holding the X1. Would have been better position on the back- or downside of the device. But maybe i could just drill a hole....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPS I forgot that one !!
That's so true: hold the phone with your left hand and sound mutes (because the speaker hole gets covered)
skycamefalling said:
...ad 9. That's a matter of taste, really! Let me quote myself: "additionally a fullscreen weather panel"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A dedicated weather panel ?? Sounds great. I'm searching for it right now
And yes you're right: matter of taste (and use).
Don't get me wrong: I am writing my oppinions to make this phone EVEN better. As I stated before: I am overall please with the phone, I've have them all ("near" all ) and the Xperia is my best phone ever.
Matter of choices and tastes of course, but I wanted to know if somebody shared my thoughts about that minor "issues".
Regarding panels, I think it is a fresh new idea with great potential.
1.- A "camera" panel would be OK (how about a panel that turns your phone into a full Sony Cybershot digicam?? )
2.- A GPS panel would be OK too
3.- More customization options for the strandard Sony panels would be even better !!
I would have preferred the screen flat too, it doesn't need more protection as I keep it in a soft pouch. Besides I find overall its LESS protected as the dirt that gets stuck in the recessed screen is more likely to get wiped across the surface repeatedly before you actually get it removed. It also makes the grease buildup extremely hard to clean off.
My other gripe is the keyboard. I had wished the whole phone had been a little bit wider so that they keyboard was more like my Wizard. Sure you get used to the screen being so close to the top row but it does slow you down. When I go back to my Wizard I can ALWAYS type easier and quicker because the keyboard is more spaced out.
The rest listed are none issues for me. I may even like the panels in the end as I am going to play with the SDK.
haha the funny thing is that the x1 is made by HTC
What's so funny about that?
There has always been a difference between one HTC device and another. In all other respects the Wizard was rather underpowered compared to other HTC devices at the time and it was/is rather chunky. Also technically I own a T-Mobile MDA Vario, its just from visiting these forums I learnt about updating the ROM to WM6 and that its a HTC Wizard (WIZA200 actually) in a T-Mobile branded shell.
backslash225 said:
haha the funny thing is that the x1 is made by HTC
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The X1 has been designed by sony ericsson, build in cooperation with htc and produce by htc.
so it's not a made by htc . Sony got an idea and ask one of the most experienced winmo company to make it. And they are not so pleased with htc they have stopped their partnership with them. Seems they reproach htc to have underpowered x1 software and got a lot of production problem with them.
Hi All,
I've tried for the past several days to find any word on what it's like typing on the TD2/Pure keyboard and cannot seem to find anything substantial. I like the look and feel of the phone and think I want one. However, I need to know from someone who has had one for a while what it's like typing on it daily. Speaking for me, I've got short stubby fingers and thumbs. Is that a problem? Will I end up using the stylus most of the time?
Also in the store, the keyboard wouldn't switch to landscape in anything other than the messaging applications. When I tried to use it in Word, it stayed in portrait mode.
Thanks in advance.
I've had my Pure for 3 days. I been using the Fuze for the past year. It's taking a little while to get use to the on-screen keyboard. I too have fat fingers. A friend of mine just bought a Sprint Hero. I really like the on-screen keyboard that comes with it. If I can find a similiar one for the Pure I'll be a lot happier. In the meantime I'll keep using the stylus when I need to type quickly and accurately.
had my Topaz since may 7th, many texts every day and its good Not as fast as a physical keypad, and you cant touche type well with it ofc. BUT, it is easy. It has auto correction built in, so you almost always get the right words. I run mine atm in Phone keypad mode, (2abc 3def etc) because the keys are bigger, altho the full Qwerty is also good
Also i by no means have small hands and i almost never use the stylus ;P
I got fat fingers as well and no nails. (I bite) and I can say I type really quick on the keyboad. I would type quick on the original HTC Touch aswell and that screen sucked. What I've noticted is that people use the tip and or pad of their thumb which blocks the screen. I type and use the phone by using the inner top edge of my thumbs. I get a bettr view of the screen and can type very accurtate in portrait view. I use both thumbs when typing aswell.
Oh and this is on the qwerty keyboard. People are surprised at how fast I can type on it. Way faster than using a normal keyboard. (1-9) I would a like to sugest to try out the 20key qwerty if you are having problems with the full qwrety. type a blackberry.
This is the first device I've used that didn't have actual keys, and for the first couple of hours, I got frustrated and resorted to the stylus. However, after another couple of hours making a good attempt to get used to the keyboard, I did, and my accuracy and speed are both pretty good now.
I use Fingerkeyboard and I am very happy. Of course it was better on my blackstone than on my topaz due to the bigger screen, but I found that I can type faster on this on-screen keyboard than I could on the physical keyboard of the xperia... On-screen keyboards are more sensitive IMO.
Well - After everything I had read and studied, I made the leap yesterday and purchased the Pure. It was a bit awkward at first and the typing was pretty much hit and miss. After burning through a few emails and texts, I think I've got the hang of it. It does seem that part of my problem is the screen calibration is a bit off. I figured this out by using the stylus in the contact list and if I hit the "T", the "S" list came up. The typing was easier than I expected but it's amazing how much screen real estate the keyboard takes up in landscape mode.
Thanks for all the replies.
Yeah you can recallibrate in the settings, will help Glad you got one.
I love it!
Here's a tip... Instead of pecking at the letters, if you hold your finger on the letter for just a tad longer, it will "popup" the letter. Got the wrong one, just roll your finger a little until the right one comes up.
You don't have much time to do this, but it's very easy to get used to!
OracleBlue said:
Well - After everything I had read and studied, I made the leap yesterday and purchased the Pure. It was a bit awkward at first and the typing was pretty much hit and miss. After burning through a few emails and texts, I think I've got the hang of it. It does seem that part of my problem is the screen calibration is a bit off. I figured this out by using the stylus in the contact list and if I hit the "T", the "S" list came up. The typing was easier than I expected but it's amazing how much screen real estate the keyboard takes up in landscape mode.
Thanks for all the replies.
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That's strange that it's off like that. My Topaz came precalibrated just fine. Go to Settings in Touchflo then Menu>All Settings>System>Screen and you should be able to re-calibrate. If its like the original TD2 it you won't be able to re-calibrate unless you flash a cooked ROM.
Do you use both thumbs or one hand and one finger to type. Both thumbs work grand for me.
The keyboard itself is wonderful, nice layout and everything. But sometimes even if I press kinda hard the key I pressed don't show up which means I always have to press kinda hard to be sure to get the key I pressed.
Does anybody have the 20 key keyboard .cab? I might give it a go again. Can't seem to find it...
ArtieQ said:
The keyboard itself is wonderful, nice layout and everything. But sometimes even if I press kinda hard the key I pressed don't show up which means I always have to press kinda hard to be sure to get the key I pressed.
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Hold they key on the screen it should pop up the letter to verify. Maybe that's a euro td2 vs usa pure thing?
My unlocked diamond did this out of the box, so hmmm.
syntrix said:
Hold they key on the screen it should pop up the letter to verify. Maybe that's a euro td2 vs usa pure thing?
My unlocked diamond did this out of the box, so hmmm.
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Maybe I confused you a little, I mean when I press on the screen nothing happens which means I have to press harder than I want to. It might be the TD2 screen itself because if you press on it you can feel that goofy thing, it's like some plastic glass instead of real glass (like on Diamond).
I gotcha.
I have a diamond too, and the screen seems just the same.
I have noticed that the actual LCD is sunk a little more down on the TD2 over the TD.
I actually welcome this as there's less glare and better readability of the screen.
try cliquick keyboard its the largest i can find lol
Hi Guys,
Just got my HTC HD2 last night on O2 Ireland (Silent release yesterday),
Love the phone but one thing that is really annoying me is the onscreen keyboard, the qwerty and compact qwerty are useless to me, even in landscape mode, but I can use the numeric keypad one although I often have the odd mistake here unless I type really slow and think about it.
Basically what normally happens is as I have quite big fingers, sometimes I tough most of the key I want and a small amount of the key underneath, which is really irritating me as it's taking me 10x longer to send a message than it does on my N95 8GB.
I love the phone but the slow text entry really is making me stick with the N95 8GB right now. I was wondering if anyone had any advice? I wish I could have some nice bigger keypad like when you put the pin in when you turn the phone on and that would be much easier for me!
Is there any way I can use or install any other text input options, or what about bluetooth keypads (Keyboards not really acceptable as they're too big but a keypad could work)
Cheers for any advice
Dear JustinJJ,
I had the same problem, until I relaised I had a hardware screen problem. There are a number of tests you can do to find out if you have a hardware problem.
Just have a look on the forum.
Regards and best wishes with your typing.
Oh, just to let you know, I am on my third HD2 in less than a month, and this is the first time I can type the A-Z without making a mistake. So it was hardware not my fingers.
ADC (Yateley, UK)
Try another keyboard, like Swype?
It needs lots of practice, especially when you were using phone with keypad in the past.
I was going to try Swype over the weekend and see how that goes, it looks quite good but I have doubts because of the much smaller key size which makes me worry a little bit.
I've already tried to recalibrate the screen which helped a little bit, but it's still nowhere near as nice as typing with an actual phone keypad.
It really annoys me as I love the phone so much for everything else apart from text entry!
Practice makes perfect seriously though, it just takes a bit of time to get used to it. Back in December someone made a handy little programme - I think it's called touch mark - which plots where you touch the screen and compares it to where you should be touching the screen, quite handy to "retrain" your finger/eye coordination... will go see if I can find the link to it.
Edit: found it http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=594158&highlight=touchmark
going from resistive to capacitive screen is a big jump; you WILL make a lot of mistakes on the "fat finger" phenomenon, but eventually you will get better (right now i can type faster and with better accuracy on the iphone screen than my X1a keyboard )
Isadora said:
Practice makes perfect seriously though, it just takes a bit of time to get used to it. Back in December someone made a handy little programme - I think it's called touch mark - which plots where you touch the screen and compares it to where you should be touching the screen, quite handy to "retrain" your finger/eye coordination... will go see if I can find the link to it.
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Indeed,
Touch mark can be quite helpfull to retrain your touching skills
Grtz,
Degake
I use swype and it's mostly great (using it now, in fact) quite surprising how inaccurate you can be with it and it still gets it right.
regarding the capacitive screen in general, the angle of your finger can make all the difference, the pad being recognized much more accurately than the tip/edge, and even the temperature.... cold dry skin = jumpy detection.
I also found that no matter how much I align the screen, for best results my aim must always be slightly up and left if where I'm aiming....not much, just a bit.
I used Cootek touchpal on my HTC HD. I use the predicitive text feature with the 3 letters in each box. It does a hell of a job predicting my words. I find that it types faster than when I was on my blackberry. As in all things new you have to train yourself on it and eventually it becomes natural.
The only typing I never wanted to master was the number pad t9 crap. I got so fed up with it I didn't use it went to blackberry...
I went from a SE W910i with a physical numpad to the HD2 and the first week typing on the HD2 was torture, I dreaded typing a simple "On my way" SMS and kept everything as short as possible. After a week or two I started understanding how it works and started retraining myself in regards to hitting the right key. A few things I noticed are that you don't press the key like you would on a physical keyboard so you need a much "lighter" touch and try to just tap the screen with the tip of your finger. Patience is one of your biggest friends when learning to type and I've sat down with my HD2 for dedicated sessions on typing and have learnt a lot. I also avoid using my thumbs as they are too wide and flat and tend to not hit the keys I want, I usually hold the phone in one hand and "type" with the index finger of the other hand. Now I can type as fast as I would on a normal numpad keyboard but not as fast as I could with my G1.
I've owned a N95 and found the keys were too small and I usually hit more than one at a time which was most annoying. So I don't think your fingers are too big.
I've never tried any other keyboard program but Swype looks like it could be loads of fun as well as more accurate. So give it a week or two to get used to typing and if you still have problems then you may have a faulty screen.
i also use touchpal as it has a great auto correction. first i used the three letters in one box, but now i'm learning full qwertz to be more flexible.
never tried swype but this and touchpal seems to be the most famous osk's around.
a good way for me to reduce the sensitivity and also reduce errors is to apply a screen protector. i got one from - i think e-cell, which was recommended by a lot of users here at devs.
Tried swype, that was awful, partly because my fingers were too big and partly because I had to think about the letters and stop when moving my finger which messed the word generation up.
Tried Touchpal and found that a little better than the built in keyboard in keypad mode but the fact they moved the space to the right of the 9 key really messed it up for me, if they had it underneath it would be perfect but it really messes me up right now and the key after hitting it I always end up hitting wrong.
Then I tried Cliquick! I was in love straight away with it's huge keys this is the only editor I can type accurately with, and not make any mistakes by accidentally pressing the wrong keys. The only problem was this has no predictive text or no standard hardware style keypad mode so it is a little slow having to use multi-tap and an unfamiliar layout, but least it's accurate and less frustrating even if it is slow.
Does anyone know if they plan to release a predictive text add in or perhaps a standard keypad layour, or is there any plug-ins I can use to achieve the same effect.
So it isn't just ME...
samsamuel said:
...I also found that no matter how much I align the screen, for best results my aim must always be slightly up and left if where I'm aiming....not much, just a bit.
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That's funny. I thought it was just ME. I realigned the screen and picked spots slightly BELOW the X.
Works great now when I actually click ON the icons...