Should HTC have provided a stylus with HD2? - HD2 General

I am finding clicking links which are quite small a bit hit and miss and the lighter the touch the easier it is to register a click Also registry tweaks on things like total commander are very difficult and I miss a stylus for things like this. I beleive a capacitive stylus should have been provided and left to the user to use or not. What do you think?

Nope - capacitive screens don't need styli. What they should have done is made all of the wm 6.5 menus finger friendly and maybe added a safari-type magnifying glass for clicking links in Opera.

While I was waiting for my phone to arrive, I had ordered a cheapo Pogo stylus "just in case". I've used it a few times when I first got the phone and started changing stuff in the registy, but got confident enough with my "finger poking" very quickly. Haven't used it in nearly 2 weeks now.

I think the HD2 is perfectly finger friendly. However, if HTC could have produced a stylus for the capacitive screen that was the same size as a normal stylus and managed to find room in the current case for a silo to hold it then I wouldn't have objected. Regardless of what the finger nazis would have you believe, you can still get more done faster with a stylus and ruling it out is as silly as ruling fingers out.

jakem said:
I think the HD2 is perfectly finger friendly. However, if HTC could have produced a stylus for the capacitive screen that was the same size as a normal stylus and managed to find room in the current case for a silo to hold it then I wouldn't have objected. Regardless of what the finger nazis would have you believe, you can still get more done faster with a stylus and ruling it out is as silly as ruling fingers out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. The transition from stylus to finger may be ok for people with slim fingers but my fingers are not slim, I have bloke hands so a stylus for me is essential for some operations like editing the registry.
The possibility of screwing something up with a large fingered prod after using that slider thing to navigate to the right registry key doesn't bear thinking about. That alone stopped me in my tracks mid regedit and made me go to the bay and buy a pogo.
Koreans and snake hipped ladyboys might find styluses obsolete but some actual men use these devices, some of us have been doing so since they were invented and some of us are over 40
HTC ought to have included a stylus, whether the user chose to use it or not.

compact_bijou said:
...
Koreans and snake hipped ladyboys might find styluses obsolete but some actual men use these devices, some of us have been doing so since they were invented and some of us are over 40
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am well over 40, neither Korean nor a ladyboy... but quite tall with quite big hands and not so small fingers...
And I got used to the touch screen after some practicing... after having some experience from Apple devices.
"Problem" is maybe that HD2 is really fast with everything. One has to get used to the sensibility of the screen and the sheer speed.

eyeofthetiger said:
Should HTC have provided a stylus with HD2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Next question?

Im also using pogo stylus, works great and regarding registry editing on mobile i use CeRegEditor which basically connects from PC to mobile registry and on PC you can fast and easily edit it.

compact_bijou said:
I agree. The transition from stylus to finger may be ok for people with slim fingers but my fingers are not slim, I have bloke hands so a stylus for me is essential for some operations like editing the registry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm finger size not quite an excuse ... I've got slim fingers, true (I'm a girl), but instead I have long nails to contend with (and I mean long - they "stick out" by about half an inch) so I had to find the right angle to poke at. Agree with you that it would have been nice of them to include a stylus anyway and let the user decide.

i really need a slim stylus...i use VNC/RDP alot and with this phone it's quite impossible.

tictac0566 said:
One has to get used to the sensibility of the screen and the sheer speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting there with the sensitivity of the screen vs the insensitivity of my digit (it's only been 6 hours) but I have to say that I'm delighted to have finally found a hand held device which fast enough to work my way.

Related

Would you recommend it?

Hi,
I am currently using a Samsung F480 and I really have to say the difference in the touch screen experience is very much noticeable compared to my HTC Wizard (I'd probably call it Apple-esque - even though I never actually used their phone), however at the very same time I also have to admit that I am really missing the possibilities Windows Mobile offers.
So when I first read about the Touch HD it seemed it would unify all those. Well, meanwhile I found out that the touch screen technology basically remained the same so I'd really be interested to hear how you would actually rate it? Does one still have to press/push the screen or does a simply touch do it as well?
Apart from the touch screen topic I am also a bit uncertain after reading threads like this and in particular vangrieg's posting. How would you rate the overall performance?
Basically what I would be looking for would be a compact phone with a good display, easily extensible (Windows Mobile) and a nice touch screen experience (Apple) ....
i have it for a week now and i am very satisfied with it. Not one program crashed and no reboot so far. Internet browsing is fast and really usable. For the first time ever i really like to surf the net while commuting on the subway. GPS with TomTom7 is great - i locks in seconds even when in downtown surrounded by skyscrapers.
regarding the touchscreen, i find that i have to press really hard to get a reaction. at first i even was reluctant to press so hard because i thought i would break it with the stylus. but now i am glad that it does not react to simple touching because i usually carry it in the pocket of my trousers and touch the display when handling it and it should not react to simple touching in my view - and it does not.
Thanks kkrammer, so you havent noticed respectively cant confirm the lag mentioned by donbronzi and jon- in the indicated thread. I am asking in particular because vangrieg stated the used Qualcomm processor shouldnt be the fastest.
As to the touch screen, this is certainly a subjective matter but personally I really like Samsung's way to respond even to a very very light touch without having to actually press it. So you would say one actually has to press it, a light touch doesnt do it?
Touch HD finger pressure
After owning a Touch Diamond, I feel that the screen is much more responsive. I dont have to press hard at all. I really like it so far. Yes it is a bit bigger and heavier, its still thin. All my programs are working great.
Thanks wfhowell, actually I just went to a store and expectedly they didnt have an HD yet, however there was the Diamond and considering my touch tests I slowly begin to understand the Apple fanboys. Coming from the Samsung F480 I was almost unable to use it. So how much would you say was the HD improved in this area?
Maybe someone who used Apple's, the F480 and the HD could outline where he/she would see the differences.
hi drzoid
i know what you mean about the screen but thats the difference between the two different screen technologies. if you want the ability to use a stylus the phone can only detect it if you push. iphones can measure the current through your finger with a lot less screen pressure.
that said i use rhe advanced configuration tool from the diamond forum to make the screen more sensitive. not as nice as iphone but close
Its the best phone till today... awesome tough still not perfect..
Unless you still think that a phone requires a QWERTY keyboard (I haven't missed on yet on this awesome phon) I'd run to my local dealer
Is it worth paying £500 to upgrade from the diamond? I'm not sure wether to go for it or not? Is the HD just a diamond with a bigger screen? Its a lot of money to pay just for that.
marcel808 said:
hi drzoid
i know what you mean about the screen but thats the difference between the two different screen technologies. if you want the ability to use a stylus the phone can only detect it if you push. iphones can measure the current through your finger with a lot less screen pressure.
that said i use rhe advanced configuration tool from the diamond forum to make the screen more sensitive. not as nice as iphone but close
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Marcel, I know Apple's touch screen as well as - probably - the F480's measure via the skin but nonetheless I was "shocked" today when I saw what touching means in terms of the Diamond.
How "close" would you say is the sensitivity you mentioned?
Can someone who has experience with the Wizard and the HD tell if there is an actual difference in the sensitivity.
I'd love to get an HD - even if its price is currently almost prohibitive - but I am not sure whether I'd really like to go back.
mwatson said:
Is it worth paying £500 to upgrade from the diamond? I'm not sure wether to go for it or not? Is the HD just a diamond with a bigger screen? Its a lot of money to pay just for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not worth the upgrade in my opinion.
I found you have to push a fair bit harder with the stylus on the screen than with your finger. If you use your finger it responds to a very light touch in comparism and is very responsive.
Thanks, for a real-world example, how hard would one have to press to slide the tabbar on the home screen left and right. Would just placing the finger without actual pressure be enough?
hi drzoid
how sensitive is the screen on mine...not sure how best to answer.
On an iphone I hardly have to touch the screen. As soon as the skin touches, thats enough.
With the HD, if I press the screen, I have to push until the top of my finger squashes by 1mm. Does that makes sense??!
So try pushing on a hard surface so 1mm of your finger squashes...and thats an HD
marcel808 said:
On an iphone I hardly have to touch the screen. As soon as the skin touches, thats enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like with the F480.
marcel808 said:
With the HD, if I press the screen, I have to push until the top of my finger squashes by 1mm. Does that makes sense??!
So try pushing on a hard surface so 1mm of your finger squashes...and thats an HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Marcel, perfect explanation, even though I am not sure whether this is really close if one has to push 1mm into the screen .
Somehow my excitement gets colder, unfortunately
F480 has a capacitive screen, just like the iPhone and G1, so the HD would be worse touchy-wise (resistive screen), but according to reviews HD's screen is quite close to iPhone's sensitivity. Anyway, you can't write with the stylus on those and you can on the HD
Insaneboy said:
F480 has a capacitive screen, just like the iPhone and G1, so the HD would be worse touchy-wise (resistive screen), but according to reviews HD's screen is quite close to iPhone's sensitivity. Anyway, you can't write with the stylus on those and you can on the HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, personally I dont really need a stylus, although the magnetic of the HD makes a precious impression. Anyhow Samsung's screen is what I would really define as touch screen. It would be interesting how close it is, but the 1mm Marcel mentioned doesnt sound too close .... I guess I will have to wait until I can see the HD live.
What a shame almost
For me, the ability to use stylus is a big plus. I like the option of being able to use product such as Netfront Browser. It is a lot easier to click on links and to type quickly on keyboards as compared to using finger. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against fingers. In fact, 99% of the time I use my device with just fingers. There are times when I feel that stylus is a lot easier. I consider this to be a plus over iPhone actually. I wish iPhone can support both, because then I need not zoom in before activating a link.
I would say it's about the same as using a touchpad on a laptop if using your finger, it's pretty good
mwatson said:
Is it worth paying £500 to upgrade from the diamond? I'm not sure wether to go for it or not? Is the HD just a diamond with a bigger screen? Its a lot of money to pay just for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both the diamond (business phone) and, recently, the HD (personal phone). The HD is a step change in a number of ways. The larger screen, in purely size terms, makes sense of the touchflo interface. Buttons are big, and useable, and I'm rarely (if ever) pulling out the stylus. Also the software itself is faster, more developed (losts of little changes - like answering a call uses a finger gesture, rather than pressing a button - which means you are much less likely to inadvertantly answer an incoming call in your pocket. a little thing, but one of a myriad of significant little changes). The stock ROM is blisteringly fast in comparison (my diamond is the t-mobile version, and a shocker in comparison). Given that they are roughly the same hardware it shows what the diamond may become capable of. The screen is spectacular. The sensitivity (though lacking multi-touch, no biggie for me) feels just right. The battery life literally takes my breath away. I've run it for two lumps of two days, and not yet got the battery below 50%. My diamond corpses after about 24 hours.
It's the best WM device I've had by a country mile, and I've had a few. I still like my diamond, though. It's little and I can look after it much better when I'm out for a riotous night on the town. The HD is big, and until I can get a silicone case for it, it's a dropped smashed phone waiting to happen (I hate having to remove a phone from a case to use it, it massively increases the chance of accidents).
Philio25 said:
I would say it's about the same as using a touchpad on a laptop if using your finger, it's pretty good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? If I judge it from my Acer Aspire I would then actually call it decent.
I really have to find a store where you can try it out .
eaglesteve said:
For me, the ability to use stylus is a big plus. I like the option of being able to use product such as Netfront Browser. It is a lot easier to click on links and to type quickly on keyboards as compared to using finger. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against fingers. In fact, 99% of the time I use my device with just fingers. There are times when I feel that stylus is a lot easier. I consider this to be a plus over iPhone actually. I wish iPhone can support both, because then I need not zoom in before activating a link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I can talk only for the F480 which actually has Netfront and there you can click links without zooming, even if you have aim well sometimes.
Lets say I am not against a stylus but I am for the touch experience the F480 brings .

Stylus falls out the HD

At this point I've lost both the stylus that came with the HD.
I'm MAD!!!
It takes just a small push to eject the styles from the magnetic grip.
I've had it fall out removing it from the pocket of my jacket, the car holder and I don't even wan't to mention the strangle hold the supplied sleeve has on the HD.
I truly believe this design is flawed. The magnetic lock is far to weak (g-sensor protection i've read somewhere?).
I don't use the stylus with the HD, it's fine working with my finger, but now there's a gaping hole on the BOTTOM right side.
I guess if they had put the stylus on top, gravity wouldn't have been a issue!
My previous (and I can proudly say stil operational phone, the S100/ Magician, had the top insert design, and is still using the original stylus).
That's 3.5 years compared to 2 weeks.........
Am I the only one, this must be a problem for than e few?
Kenneth Tan.
I wouldn't like for it to be harder to take the stylus out, the resistance seem just right. 3 weeks, and the stylus hasn't fallen out unintentionally once.
I agree, the stylus is excelent.
hungry hippo said:
I wouldn't like for it to be harder to take the stylus out, the resistance seem just right. 3 weeks, and the stylus hasn't fallen out unintentionally once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just thought that I would mention that I'm using a 3-in-1 stylus from my Trinity. It's a tight fit, but not too tight if you know what I mean! The main reason I've done this is because I like to always have an ink pen with me. The bottom of the stylus sits flush with the same curve/corner as the bottom of the HD. It sticks out the side a bit more and if viewed closely you can tell it's not the original fit. I'll try to attach some pics...
Mine stylus doesn't fall out also, it's holding firmly to the phone and the magnet doesn't allow it to fall out. Even when i pull it out from the tight pouch that came with phone everything is OK.
You should consider calling your supplier to ask about that flaw your HD has...
Cheers
Yes I should also say that my original stylus never fell out, the magnet worked very well. In fact the magnet was so strong that it would even hold/attach outside the device!
The only reason that I've changed stylus is to have a pen with me.
Noony said:
Yes I should also say that my original stylus never fell out, the magnet worked very well. In fact the magnet was so strong that it would even hold/attach outside the device!
The only reason that I've changed stylus is to have a pen with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if every time you need a pen you will be waking up the device. Is that a good idea? Is the length of the stylus really comfortable for writing as a pen?
the stylus is magnetised or its holder is magnetised. Must be something to do with that.
eaglesteve said:
But if every time you need a pen you will be waking up the device. Is that a good idea? Is the length of the stylus really comfortable for writing as a pen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using a stylus with a built in pen for over 8 years (various devices/stylus). You get used to the size and generally the most you ever need it for it signing something or just writing a short note or filling in a short form. Yes I would use a normal pen if available but it's just something I always liked hidden in my phone - just in case!
I personally don't mind the HD powering on when the stylus is taken out (it even bypasses the automatic lock that I've set up) because 95% of the time I am using the device and the other 5% of the time I'm glad that I've got the little pen with me.
It's all about personal preferences and what works for you...
frustin said:
the stylus is magnetised or its holder is magnetised. Must be something to do with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they are BOTH magnetised.
Noony said:
I've been using a stylus with a built in pen for over 8 years (various devices/stylus). You get used to the size and generally the most you ever need it for it signing something or just writing a short note or filling in a short form. Yes I would use a normal pen if available but it's just something I always liked hidden in my phone - just in case!
I personally don't mind the HD powering on when the stylus is taken out (it even bypasses the automatic lock that I've set up) because 95% of the time I am using the device and the other 5% of the time I'm glad that I've got the little pen with me.
It's all about personal preferences and what works for you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's true.

Usable stylus for Hero

Hi All
My wife's recently got a Hero but she's found a problem with her long nails making typing difficult (capacitive screens don't work with fingernails!)
I've bought a couple of different types of iPhone stylus' but, though they do work, you have to really press quite [scarily] hard to make them register.
Can anyone recommend a stylus that works smoothly and without too much pressure?
Thanks!
The Pogo ones seem to be the most common iPhone ones, have you tried one of them?
Not yet - will seek one out. Thanks!
Did a quick search on Ebay - Item number: 390096569342 free postage too
Anybody have any joy resolving this?
Not yet. I was going to try a Pogo stylus but then found a review that suggests that it may be no different than the other stylus' I've bought. I can actually believe this because I've now managed to test the stylus' I've bought on an actual iPhone and they work far, far better than on the Hero
...not sure where to go from here.
It seems that HTC has lodged a stylus patent specifically for capacitive screens
http://htcpedia.com/news/htc-patents-stylus-for-capacitive-touch-screene.html
Thanks for the update. there has to be a lo-tech fix for this though. I'm going to have a think & a Google search & I'll let you know what I turn up
I found this but I'm not sure I like the idea of metal on glass
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/06/diy_iphone_stylus.html
Update: Metal actually works on the screen!
Update: got this now http://www.flickr.com/photos/antisynoptique/3225070344/in/photostream/ my mind is thinking hard. JTHM what do the ends of your stylus' look like?
There's no helping some people.
Have you tried this?
+1 lol
topjolly
You'll be sorry when I make my own lo-tech stylus! I'll show you.
I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!
Sorry,
Sometimes I get a bit carried away, I just think that there is a better way & telling my better half to trim her nails (although it is a good idea) wont really fly
I always wait till my Japanese friends did something wrong and then ask them for Yubitsume. Works like a real finger
i was going to post a picture of a chopped off finger to be a smartass so i did a google image search...
now im mentally scarred for life :/
The best stylus I have ever used is the papermate flexgrip elite M. They come in different colors and double as a pen which is what they really are. I recommend highly. I change color with the outfit I'm wearing. I'm in IT Networking so I always keep one in my shirt pocket. My job gives them out. Once you start using them you wont be able to go back to a regular stylus. I can't. You want to see it with the cap on the pen side, not the clip side. I use the small stylus side.

HTC patent for Capacitive screen stylus....

Found this interesting item on pocketnow.com Htc seem to be working on a stylus for capacitive screens. Should be interesting
http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/htc-brings-stylus-accuracy-to-capacitive-touchscreen-in-new-patent
old news.....
Question is if some support must not be built in the device. There is no public working prototype, and no one said it could work with existing displays. So don't hope too much ..
Old news alright, I was hoping this device would ship with the stylus, now hoping its available to purchase separately at some stage (SCUMMVM benefits from this, as do a few other things, not needed at all for usual use of the handset).
NZtechfreak said:
Old news alright, I was hoping this device would ship with the stylus, now hoping its available to purchase separately at some stage (SCUMMVM benefits from this, as do a few other things, not needed at all for usual use of the handset).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where are you planning to stick the stylus in?
There is no hole in the HD2 so it's useless..
Xeon said:
where are you planning to stick the stylus in?
There is no hole in the HD2 so it's useless..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok, if your phone doesnt have a hole for the stylus, your keyring, pens, wallet and similar, you can't carry one with you.
I've been waiting for it ever since i first read about it..
come on..
You can already get a stylus for a capacitive screen, the HTC one might be nicer - who knows. Some have inbuilt pens etc.
The HTC one is much nicer, it looks like an ordinary stylus with a pointy tip. The existing ones have big fat heads, which kinda defeats the purpose of having a stylus in the first place...
NZtechfreak said:
defeats the purpose of having a stylus in the first place...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
absolutely!!!!!!!! what's the point? :S gimme the pointy ones
NZtechfreak said:
The HTC one is much nicer, it looks like an ordinary stylus with a pointy tip. The existing ones have big fat heads, which kinda defeats the purpose of having a stylus in the first place...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I like the HTC version the best, however, until they come out you really only have two options...
1. Get over having a stylus (not realistic for some)
2. Buy the current versions and at least have a working solution until the HTC ones area available.
I'm in the camp that don't need a stylus, I'd just like to have one for the occasional use, so I'm happy to wait until HTC release theirs (or someone else comes up with a palatable alternative).
Nighthawk said:
I agree, I like the HTC version the best, however, until they come out you really only have two options...
1. Get over having a stylus (not realistic for some)
2. Buy the current versions and at least have a working solution until the HTC ones area available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. Don't buy an HD2 in the first place. It's not the law that you have to.
I ordered a Pogo stylus with a soft tip and big head only for use when I go out with gloves... I would love a pointy tip one though so that I can run through some WM app's menus a lot easier.... I suspect the little scroll bars that pop up during some app settings changes are going to be hard to do without one
*** Controversial statements warning ***
If a capacitive screen designed for finger-only use was a good idea, there would be no market for a capacitive stylus.
If the HTC stylus works well and is affordable, I have to wonder why it's not already on the market
Nighthawk said:
You can already get a stylus for a capacitive screen, the HTC one might be nicer - who knows. Some have inbuilt pens etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed x2! have you seen the ones on eBay? the tips are as big as your finger tip!!
mr_Ray said:
3. Don't buy an HD2 in the first place. It's not the law that you have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a work perspective it is.
eskasi said:
I ordered a Pogo stylus with a soft tip and big head only for use when I go out with gloves...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, will that work? I'd assumed that a capacitive stylus works by establishing an electrical connection between the screen and your skin. If so then it won't work unless your skin is in direct contact with the stylus - so even a conductive stylus won't work if you're wearing gloves.
According to the report, the stylus will replace the electrical connection with the skin with some sort of magnet. If it was that easy...
I wonder if it would work if one were to dissect off a square centimetre of skin and glue it to the tip of one of the old fashined styluses...?
Cmon guys,
i have both HD and HD2 and i used the stylus on HD for less 5% of the time (never for writing). Now with HD2 i don`t even think to stylus.
I have over 100Kg so my hands were not very slim

Teetering on the edge of getting the HD2, but need clarification...

Hi all,
well as my x1's screen is not working and I may not be able to fix it on warranty (still working on that as I have to take it in to see) I am going to get a new phone, the HD2 seems to fit the bill as I do a lot of reading and watching vids on my phone... the big screen appeals but I use Pleco a chinese dictionary and so much more. It enables me to write in chinese and with a stylus this is fast and simple... however I am worried that I will not be able to use a stylus on the capacitive screen and thus it will render Pleco in operable or nearly useless (the ability to write Chinese characters is very important)... thoughts on this, will the finger be able to write accurately enough, can I get a stylus or make one to use (ie do I have to buy a special one or will a slightly thicker one work ok (compared to an x1 stylus for example)... thanks for any advice or info...
The iphone stylli even with tweaked screen sensitivity don't seem to work well on it. The Dagii stylus for the hd2 looks good though. Youtube it.
Thanks for the heads up... that might be what I am after although I have read there are issues with usability...
Shadowdh said:
Thanks for the heads up... that might be what I am after although I have read there are issues with usability...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC have launched their own stylus for use on capacitive screens. I think they are available on Clove.co.uk and many other stores.
HD2 and Pleco
I have an HD2 and use Pleco almost every day. There is an option to use the whole screen to hand-write characters. You have to use your finger, but its not that bad. Sometimes when I try to go too fast the results aren't super accurate, but overall its really not any more inconvenient that having to pull a stylus out.
I'd say it doesn't impact usability at all, and the larger screen makes the software much better in my opinion.
I have tried every stylus I could find and none of them work very well with the hd2 at all. I have found that your finger is much easier to use and more responsive and accurate than any of the capacitive stylus'... so if it's an app that needs a stylus and isn't easy to use with your finger, you're going to have a difficult time with the hd2.

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