hey HTC.. if you're gonna go v-kybd....

[SDscorch]

htc...

if you're not gonna have a hw kybd, at least make getting to the landscape-mode v-kybd easy!




alot of times the wide kybd isn't available - other times it loses teh data you just put in

!!


that said, i love love LOVE the hero! i love sense! its a beauuuuutiful phone!



but there are some usability issues in there - the human-computer-interface is "rough"

 

[sleepyEDB]

I found that enabling the suggestion feature and calibrating the keyboard improved my experience tremendously.

other times it loses teh data you just put in

I too was having this problem at first, but realized that I was hitting the enter key after I was finished typing. When I started hitting the 'close keyboard' key (bottom left corner...the button has the image of a keyboard on it) it preserved what I had typed perfectly.


sleepy

 

[TattierPub]

I'm finding the keyboard way too sensitive. Maybe I need to learn to lighten my touch.

 

[SDscorch]

I found that enabling the suggestion feature and calibrating the keyboard improved my experience tremendously.

I too was having this problem at first, but realized that I was hitting the enter key after I was finished typing. When I started hitting the 'close keyboard' key (bottom left corner...the button has the image of a keyboard on it) it preserved what I had typed perfectly.


sleepy

ooh - i'll have to try this!

 

[SDscorch]

that worked

(posting from hero now!)

 

[Edaze55]

that worked

(posting from hero now!)

This is good to know. I still need to calibrate mine, and thanks to Slug, I know where its at now.

 

[Negrito]

htc...

if you're not gonna have a hw kybd, at least make getting to the landscape-mode v-kybd easy!




alot of times the wide kybd isn't available - other times it loses teh data you just put in

!!


that said, i love love LOVE the hero! i love sense! its a beauuuuutiful phone!



but there are some usability issues in there - the human-computer-interface is "rough"

When isnt a 'wide' keyboard available? Far as i know you can use the keyboard in landscape anytime the keyboard opens.

 

[Edaze55]

When isnt a 'wide' keyboard available? Far as i know you can use the keyboard in landscape anytime the keyboard opens.

Thats incorrect. Want proof?

From the home screen, hold your Menu key until you get your keyboard. Rotate the phone. You'll see that the keyboard doesnt rotate.

It does this with certain areas of the phone. Home screens are one of those that dont rotate. Contacts I believe is another. Though I wish contacts would.

 

[Negrito]

Thats incorrect. Want proof?

From the home screen, hold your Menu key until you get your keyboard. Rotate the phone. You'll see that the keyboard doesnt rotate.

It does this with certain areas of the phone. Home screens are one of those that dont rotate. Contacts I believe is another. Though I wish contacts would.

What are you typing on your home screen? As for contacts, you got me there. I havent had to add any yet as all mine were synced from my gmail acct...

 

[Edaze55]

What are you typing on your home screen? As for contacts, you got me there. I havent had to add any yet as all mine were synced from my gmail acct...

I could be doing a Google search, but what I am typing isnt the point. You stated anytime the keyboard opens. I was merely correcting your error.

When isnt a 'wide' keyboard available? Far as i know you can use the keyboard in landscape anytime the keyboard opens.

 

[rswheaton]

How are you all typing when calibrating? Example... when I type in landscape which is 90% of the time I use both thumbs. When I type in portrait I use only my right thumb. When you calibrate it only allows you to type in portrait so should I try to go very slow and use both thumbs just as I would in landscape or just use my right thumb as I normally would? Will it make a difference in calibration?

 

[Edaze55]

How are you all typing when calibrating? Example... when I type in landscape which is 90% of the time I use both thumbs. When I type in portrait I use only my right thumb. When you calibrate it only allows you to type in portrait so should I try to go very slow and use both thumbs just as I would in landscape or just use my right thumb as I normally would? Will it make a difference in calibration?

Believe it or not, this really bugs me. I mean, HTC has to know that at least some of us would want to type in landscape mode. I dont understand why we couldnt get a calibration for landscape.

Overall, it probably wont effect you much just doing the regular calibrations, but it would still be nice to have the option.

 

[Negrito]

I could be doing a Google search, but what I am typing isnt the point. You stated anytime the keyboard opens. I was merely correcting your error.

i also stated 'far as i know' so kudos to you for proving me wrong.

 

[rswheaton]

I calibrated with both thumbs and took away the vibrate feedback and the keys fly! I think I can bang out about 50 words per minute!!! I will continue to test these settings.

 

[Edaze55]

i also stated 'far as i know' so kudos to you for proving me wrong.

How about this. I was setting you straight, since you did say as far as you knew.

 

[SDscorch]

the secret (for me) to typing fast on a v-kybd is literally......... not caring!

just push through - be sloppy




and amazingly, it just figgers it out!







also.. about the landscape vs portrait issue, i can't keep it straight in my mind where landscape is available and where it isn't - so i don't even try to type on the wide kybd - i'm 100% portrait mode --- straight up and straight down, like six o'clock, brutha!heh!

 

[revtime]

I find it very easy to type in the landscape mode. After calibrating I can type pretty accurately in portrait mode as well. I hate hw keyboards though and much prefer a virtual keyboard. Try calibrating twice or more if need be, I had to do it twice to see good results.

 

[Negrito]

How about this. I was setting you straight, since you did say as far as you knew.

ok, i'll take your wording over mine. it just sounds much nicer.

 

[SDscorch]

i'm actually getting a feel for this



even "selecting" text

kinda weird - takes some getting used to --- you can use the trackball as well as just touch on the screen




even just swiping the screen to get it to move - just conceptual things really

feeling much more comfortable

 

[mfowler70]

TBH, once you calibrate (best if done 2 or 3 times) and learn to trust the auto-correction system, there's hardly any reason to switch to landscape mode. My thumbs are fairly fat and I almost never use the landscape keyboard. You just have to trust the auto-correct until you get to an obvious word it doesn't know. The AC is really good.