Database Users

Screen with "frame"?

Hi,
does the screen of the X1 have a "frame" arround like the "Kaiser" for example. The iPhone or the Diamond have no "frame" as far as I know, the screen surface has the same level than the rest of the device.
From the pictures of the X1 I have seen it looks like.
The reason behind this question ist that there are a couple of alternative SIPs available which are using not only "touching" onto the screen but also "sliding" to have a faster and more acurate input.
Examples:
http://www.speedscript.biz/
http://www.cootek.com/
and others
The problem I have with my Kaiser is by using those SIPs that it is not working as good at the left and right edge because the finger is stoped by the "frame". A frameless device would be better.
(Maybe my fingers are too big ... )
Best regards,
Claus

you're totally right about the frame, also it will be sort of a pain to use scroll bars as well. But why would you worry about the screen keyboard when you have a hardware keyboard? Honestly, once i get my xperia, I will take any excuse to pull out the keyboard cause it's such a cool device!

I have customized my Kaiser with AE button Plus (double and triple clicks).
This is quite handy and much faster than any "touch" button. The X1 has also some nice hardware keys. Most of the time I am fine with the Touch keyboard, some of than could be used just with the thumb. Also the switching time into landscape mode and back is on the Kaiser not realy fast, but this should be different on the X1.
I am in favor of the X1 because of the hardware key, not so much because of the hardware keyboard
Claus
n4v1n said:
you're totally right about the frame, also it will be sort of a pain to use scroll bars as well. But why would you worry about the screen keyboard when you have a hardware keyboard? Honestly, once i get my xperia, I will take any excuse to pull out the keyboard cause it's such a cool device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Honestly, how is the typing?

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.

X1 vrs Diamond: real-world issues

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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Leo NOT compatible with most applications, due to iPhone-like screen

Yesterday I purchased a HD2 also called Leo, running original WWE ROM from HTC
I have installed several apps including Sloved dictionaries, Lingosoft dictionaries.
Some are in "touch mode" version, some are not. Those apps who are NOT in touch mode, are virtually impossible to operate, due to the new screen. Small Icons and scroll down menu are almost impossible to "touch" they never give the correct results.
Leo seems NOT very compatible. The reason, I guess, is the new screen type: it it different, it is similar to iPhone. They call it resistive screen.
Both iPhone and HD2 you cannot use stylus or pen (simply the screen does not react). Both cannot use the nail of the finger (it does not react).
The thumb and the finger tip areas (which is the only area which can input into the device) are too gross and wide to be precise....
You need to use the soft part of the finger (I guess in English it is called finger tip, or end of the finger), below the nail, in order to have the screen react to your inputs.
I have tried many times: in my software the small icons on top bars, and all scroll down menus ARE TOO SMALL to be tipped with finger tip or thumb tip.
They cannot accessed, or they give wrong results or you need tens of attempts to get it right. Most of the time inputs are not responsive, sometimes they are, with unpredictable or wrong results (for example you open phone ring scroll down menu and click on a ring type "A" and the phone interpret as ring type "C")
This is terrible...altough I admit the 4.3" screen is awesome and superb...What can be done?
1. is there an application which restore or adjust the screen sensibility so that it can be used with NON-TOUCH softwwares?
2. or are all developers going to release new touch-friendly version of their software...suitable to this type of screens?
Thanks a lot
Saulo

saulo866 said:
1. is there an application which restore or adjust the screen sensibility so that it can be used with NON-TOUCH softwwares?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try pinch zooming.
saulo866 said:
2. or are all developers going to release new touch-friendly version of their software...suitable to this type of screens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will, but it may take some time and won't happen overnight. They will have to do it to stay alive because of WM7 compatibility requirements.
It may be a (huge) inconvenience for some users like you, but it's a trend that won't be reversed.

Congrats on the new handset.
saulo866 said:
Leo seems NOT very compatible. The reason, I guess, is the new screen type: it it different, it is similar to iPhone. They call it resistive screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen on the HD2 and the iPhone is capacitive, not resistive.
saulo866 said:
Both iPhone and HD2 you cannot use stylus or pen (simply the screen does not react). Both cannot use the nail of the finger (it does not react).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use a special kind of stylus, I believe some people have bought one for the iPhone on ebay. Also, HTC has patented a magnet tipped stylus which will work on capacitive touchscreens. As the HD2 is built with a 4.3 inch screen I don't think there will be much problems.
I can use my X1 without a stylus just fine.

Is it totally impossible to manage tiny acreen elements?
Is a conductive (metal) "stylus" possible?
Thanks

zolom said:
Is it totally impossible to manage tiny acreen elements?
Is a conductive (metal) "stylus" possible?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A conductive stylus should be possible. Apparently, you get conductive plastics, which are used to package up ICs (integrated circuits), something like could work. But would would need to find a way to make it into a rod somehow. Would be expensive I imagine.
The are capacitive styluses on eBay. They are also quite cheap. However, their tips are quite large compared to a resistive stylus.
I'm going to experiment a little bit when I get my HD2 (hopefully on Friday).
But to be honest, I can use my finger for almost everything on my X1. And that was a tiny screen compared to the HD2. So I don't see the problem. Seems like a lot of people are making a fuss over nothing.

I tried to use morph gear on mine and NONE of the buttons work at all.

I guess the use of capacitive screen is only advantageous if and only if the OS and applications are designed for it. Window mobile would not be able to enjoy this benefit now. I hope WM7 would change that.

madindehead said:
A conductive stylus should be possible. Apparently, you get conductive plastics, which are used to package up ICs (integrated circuits), something like could work. But would would need to find a way to make it into a rod somehow. Would be expensive I imagine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC have licenced one already...

DinoZ1 said:
HTC have licenced one already...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have filed a patent yes. They haven't made it yet tho. Certainly not to the general consumer.

That's B.S
If you use softwares from 1996 then sure, it won't be finger friendly.
Almost all software from recent year are finger compatible.
I just went through all the software installed on my touch HD, from about 30 software installed zero are not finger friendly. The only thing I have non finger friendly is some of the WM6.1 screens.

madindehead said:
A conductive stylus should be possible. Apparently, you get conductive plastics, which are used to package up ICs (integrated circuits), something like could work. But would would need to find a way to make it into a rod somehow. Would be expensive I imagine.
The are capacitive styluses on eBay. They are also quite cheap. However, their tips are quite large compared to a resistive stylus.
I'm going to experiment a little bit when I get my HD2 (hopefully on Friday).
But to be honest, I can use my finger for almost everything on my X1. And that was a tiny screen compared to the HD2. So I don't see the problem. Seems like a lot of people are making a fuss over nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no one is making a fuss. I hate the stupid posts of "visible dot matrix in the screen, HD2 is slower than other phones, HD2 has no video out and so on". But I quite get the feel of problems the poster is trying to address. You didn't get the point here, X1 is with the typical resistive screen, it is entirely different when you operate on a capacitive screen, and it is not about the size of the screen. I now start to worry about the 3rd party apps as I've been relying on many apps with my Touch HD. I really hope somehow the software developers will come out with apps exclusively support HD2 capacitive screen!

I don't understand .. sure, it's harder to press small elements. But even now a lot of software is finger friendly, and the trend will only get stronger. Actually I use only fingers with my current X1, I use stylus like once per week, since some parts of WM 6,1 can't be used well with fingers.
Is there some other problem ? What do you mean by exclusive HD2 support ?

newuser888 said:
I guess the use of capacitive screen is only advantageous if and only if the OS and applications are designed for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me personally, and, I believe, for many others, the major advantage of a capacitive screen is the glass screen surface and no need to use those stupid screen protectors anymore. I don't use outdated apps with tiny elements though, so it's not a big deal for me. If you are tied to them for some reason then it's a different story I guess...

well it doesnt need to be exclusiveto the hd2... just finger friendly would do the trick... I use my stylus only on some drop-down menus...

Exemple of applications which are NOT working??

I got mine few minutes ago, I am using it, and I dont have ANY problem with tiny elements, maybe sometimes you need to click 2 times but nothing. 0 problems for me.
This device is fracking awesome.

precsmo said:
No, no one is making a fuss. I hate the stupid posts of "visible dot matrix in the screen, HD2 is slower than other phones, HD2 has no video out and so on". But I quite get the feel of problems the poster is trying to address. You didn't get the point here, X1 is with the typical resistive screen, it is entirely different when you operate on a capacitive screen, and it is not about the size of the screen. I now start to worry about the 3rd party apps as I've been relying on many apps with my Touch HD. I really hope somehow the software developers will come out with apps exclusively support HD2 capacitive screen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did get the point. He said small menus are hard to press without a stylus.
I am asking why he finds this, as with a bigger screen (same resolution) the menus are now bigger. If I can use a small menu with my finger on the X1, the SIZE of the icon will be bigger on the HD2 (given the increase in screen size).
I wasn't saying that capacitive and resistive react the same way to a finger press. All the apps need, is to become finger friendly.
They won't react any differently on the HD2. Unless you have a drawing application you use, in which case that will be different.
But my original point still stands. The icons shouldn't be any harder to press on the HD2 as they will be bigger than on an X1 (I have smallish hands, but quite chunky fingers. I have press icons on the X1 fine, so I'm not worried about them on the HD2).

Even with big fingers, it's just a matter of skill. The phone detects center of pressed area and it always sends single point to the application. It does not mean that you can't press very small element with big finger, it just may be harder to hit.
I recommend simply trusting the device, not trying to do anything special ..

let me clarify what I said: let me make some more examples to make you understand what huge discomfort this "otherwise awesome screen" is giving to me:
try for example, (on any HD2) to do the following:
settings > input > options > try to change default zoom level from 200% to 100% (you need to access zoom scroll down menu)...I have tried for 20 times and I failed...sometimes I get 300% sometimes I get 75%...no way you can select the right level.
No way you can use your nails (since the settings are in a small area)
any other settings in which you need to select a choice from a scroll down menu results in a pain and several attempts...
In this condition even the internal settings on wm 6.5 are hard to accomplish...better to shift back to HD1 or to iphone, whose software is simplified enough to make the use of thumbs finger possible

saulo866 said:
let me clarify what I said: let me make some more examples to make you understand what huge discomfort this "otherwise awesome screen" is giving to me:
try for example, (on any HD2) to do the following:
settings > input > options > try to change default zoom level from 200% to 100% (you need to access zoom scroll down menu)...I have tried for 20 times and I failed...sometimes I get 300% sometimes I get 75%...no way you can select the right level.
No way you can use your nails (since the settings are in a small area)
any other settings in which you need to select a choice from a scroll down menu results in a pain and several attempts...
In this condition even the internal settings on wm 6.5 are hard to accomplish...better to shift back to HD1 or to iphone, whose software is simplified enough to make the use of thumbs finger possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just carry a laptop round with you that has MyPhone installed on it and use that. Simple!

Keyboard size

What is the biggest keyboard which can be installed on the HTC HD2? I have tried swype and the standard keyboard that comes with the phone, but I tend to be hitting the key next door at times resulting in me taking longer than I would like to send a simple text.
I haven't seen an Iphone keyboard before but I have not heard anyone mentioning the difficulties with the typing on that phone, I could be wrong of course.
I need some decent size keys to press, it wouldn't of been to bad if we had a stylus in the phone.

Trust me, the Iphone keyboard is harder to use.
I always miss the buttons on the standard keyboard, but is it really a problem?
XT9 corrects me 98% of the time.
And with swype its not a problem at all...
You are swyping the keyboard, right? Because its almost impossible to press the buttons.

Maybe my damn fingers are just too big, with swype I find myself rolling my finger to see if I'm swiping the right key or the one beside it. Oh well let's see how it goes.
Cheers

Then you could consider the possibility to move the keyboard on the horizontal way, using software as girator, then if you use both the thumbs with an angle of 90 degrees it is really easy to write, look in youtube a video that shows how a iphone user can write faster than one that use the great swype on hd2, it is just a matter of pratical skill that stems for some training. anyway there are software that use bigger keyboard, if I well remember is the spb keyboard.
3 solutions...
1)swype
2)training
3)spb keyboard
seems easy...

Yeap practice is definately the way forward in this case I think

sony007 said:
What is the biggest keyboard which can be installed on the HTC HD2? I have tried swype and the standard keyboard that comes with the phone, but I tend to be hitting the key next door at times resulting in me taking longer than I would like to send a simple text.
I haven't seen an Iphone keyboard before but I have not heard anyone mentioning the difficulties with the typing on that phone, I could be wrong of course.
I need some decent size keys to press, it wouldn't of been to bad if we had a stylus in the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the iphone is much more accurate then hd2.i own the hd2 and the htc shift.

Accuracy depends on each and every person. You can`t say that one keyboard is more accurate than another, because only the person typing can be more or less accurate when using one of the keyboards. I`ve used both the iPhone and the HD2 (which I own) and I would go for the HD2`s keyboard anytime. But that`s just my opinion.
As for the OP`s problem, use SPB Keyboard if you have a hard time typing on the stock keyboard.