Am I the only one that absolutely HATES not having a physical keyboard?

[brtnygrn]

I had the Droid Incredible and hated not having a physical keyboard.. personally I think the Android on screen keyboard sucks(& I'm a woman and have small fingers). I sold it for an LG Ally mainly for that reason.
I was REALLY looking forward to getting the Thunderbolt tomorrow, or whenever cuz who knows when it's gonna be released.. but anyway, I was reconsidering and might just get the Droid 2. I really don't know what to do :/
Anyone else hate on screen keyboards?

 

[DexTyler]

I would have thought having small fingers would help depending on the screen and button size. I don't really mind not having a physical keyboard. Although, at times it can be frustrating. I think I'll make sure my next Android includes a physical QWERTY keyboard.

 

[batgeek]

i prefer a physical keyboard strictly for when i want it for gaming.

 

[Guamguy]

I got a Desire Z alongside with my Droid Incredible. Using myself as a living experiment, I'm not seeing how I'm more productive with the Desire Z. I get the feeling my next smartphone would be back to all touchscreen and one of those with a large 4.3" screens instead.

 

[dan330]

i have had the htc touch, diamond, hero, and now EVO
love the simple no keyboard phones... less to break or parts that wear down over time.

 

[gutted]

It's certainly personal opinion. I, myself, enjoy having a physical keyboard.

 

[bluenova]

I wouldn't think you are the only one but as others have said it comes down to personal preference. Myself, I couldn't imagine not using Swype any more and find I'm very slow when I have to use a normal touch screen keyboard now.

 

[350Rocket]

I prefer the physical keyboard (i have the shine plus which has the same keyboard as the ally) i can type way faster on it. Typing on a 3.2 inch screen i find really difficult but not as bad on 3.7 and bigger. I tried the desire z and found the keyboard not very good. My next phone will probably have a 4.3 inch screen and no keyboard but i will hang on to the shine plus in case i ever foresee having to do some major typing on my phone.

 

[novox77]

I believe the touchscreen experience (which includes typing) improves the larger the screen. And there's no limit to screen size to me. Bigger is better. Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38

It shows how touchscreen technology may evolve over the next few years.

Typing on an ipad is so much better than typing on a small phone. I used to be a physical keyboard person when I used Blackberries. I hated my wife's iPhone. The screen was way too small for efficient typing. My Evo changed my mind. Larger screen. And now Swype actually makes typing fun.

 

[pool_shark]

I prefer a physical keyboard because virtual ones take up too much space when editing word/excel docs.

Also, the physical keyboard makes it easier to see the terminal emulator and vi files.

 

[Frisco]

I prefer a physical keyboard because virtual ones take up too much space when editing word/excel docs.

Also, the physical keyboard makes it easier to see the terminal emulator and vi files.

Yes, that's the best argument for a physical keyboard, imo.

Devices with physical keyboards also have on screen keyboards, and I've seen some folks say that they end up using one or the other all the time.

But I still like not having to slide anything out to answer a text message, etc, and not having the extra hardware (that's the big deal for me, lighter and more sleek with no keyboard); it's just there when I open the app.

So, it's a choice between two good things, as I see it.

 

[Clementine_3]

I have a Moto Droid and love my keyboard. I don't see myself getting a phone without one, I use it 98% of the time, for everything. Waiting to see what the Droid 3 is going to end up being...it already is a winner for me...keyboard!!

 

[pool_shark]

Yes, that's the best argument for a physical keyboard, imo.

Devices with physical keyboards also have on screen keyboards, and I've seen some folks say that they end up using one or the other all the time.

But I still like not having to slide anything out to answer a text message, etc, and not having the extra hardware (that's the big deal for me, lighter and more sleek with no keyboard); it's just there when I open the app.

So, it's a choice between two good things, as I see it.

The only time I use the physical keyboard is for the things I've mentioned already and for lengthy emails or text, it's easier to edit with the physical one due to the directional keys.
I know the virtual one has the red dot, but the directional keys are easier.

That's why I prefer a device with both.
Also with my D2, I can reboot by pressing shift-alt-delete. No more battery pulls.

 

[yohobojo]

I has the ally. I like having both physical and touch keyboard. I use physical like 75% of the time and rest touch. I prefer having both to switch back and forth.

 

[bigbadwulff]

Can't stand a physical keyboard myself. Never could. Waaaaaaaaaaaay too small. Even a laptop keyboard is small for my hands/fingers


One word: SWYPE!

 

[rowuncw]

I actually prefer not having a physical keyboard, but I've sent maybe 15 texts since I got my Fascinate in December, and I have yet to compose an email. For me, having a thin phone with a larger screen is more important but only because I'm not a texter at all. (also, if there was a cell phone plan where I could only pay for, say, 60 minutes per month, I would be good to go).

 

[A.Nonymous]

Definitely a personal preference thing. I absolutely hate a physical keyboard with a passion. To me it just adds extra bulk to the phone without adding any extra worth.

 

[doniago]

With a Droid X and Swype I don't miss a physical keyboard, but I do think I may be typing a little more slowly (very fast touch-typist here).

If I had a smaller phone and/or no Swype I think the odds are significantly higher that I'd want a physical keyboard.

 

[hal]

I've always preferred devices with hardware QWERTY keyboards, since gaming and emulation are so much more fun when you have physical buttons. But ever since I bought the HTC Hero in 2009, I've only had pure touchscreen phones.

With gesture based on-screen keyboards such as SlideIT and Swype, I don't really miss having a hardware QWERTY for text input. But whenever I play certain games, ports of id Software's Quake and emulators (which I tend to do quite a lot), I wish I had a physical keyboard.

 

[bluenova]

I believe the touchscreen experience (which includes typing) improves the larger the screen. And there's no limit to screen size to me. Bigger is better. Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38

It shows how touchscreen technology may evolve over the next few years.

Typing on an ipad is so much better than typing on a small phone. I used to be a physical keyboard person when I used Blackberries. I hated my wife's iPhone. The screen was way too small for efficient typing. My Evo changed my mind. Larger screen. And now Swype actually makes typing fun.

That's a great video but where are the finger prints!?

 

[seeAdam]

You could always wait and see if there are third party accessories that'll address it. The iPhone (not to plug) just got a case that had a bluetooth mini-keyboard attached to it. I think engadget reviewed it, so maybe it'll come over to other phones too. BoxWave Keyboard Buddy iPhone case review -- Engadget

 

[Stuntman]

I had the N97 before and now the Desire Z. I also have a BlackBerry for work. I prefer using a physical keyboard. I don't like the fact that the virtual keyboard blocks a significant portion of the screen. Also, I like the physical tactile feel of actually pressing the keys.

I did try out Swype on the N97 for a week. The problem I have with Swype is that sometimes I pause typing in the middle of the word. Then I have to delete and restart. Also, Swype seems more difficult to use when entering non-standard words such as proper nouns, abbreviations or url's. I ended up switching back to the keyboard.

I do occasionally use the virtual keyboard if I only have to enter very few characters like a word or two. Anything that is as long as a sentence or longer, I would use the physical keyboard.

 

[txrxio]

I used to dislike my onscreen keyboard on my Incredible, but after I did the manual calibration it works great. I still wish I could have some buttonry so that I could play emulator games without my fingers pressing the wrong places, but it isn't a big deal.

 

[takeshi]

Am I the only one

The answer to any question that starts like this is always no. I mean, do you really think you're the only person in the world with a given opinion?

Anyone else hate on screen keyboards?

Not blindly. I didn't care for my Droid's virtual keyboard before Swype. I have no problems with the stock iPhone virtual keyboard though. I don't lump them all together as they're apparently not all identical in my book.

I was REALLY looking forward to getting the Thunderbolt tomorrow, or whenever cuz who knows when it's gonna be released.. but anyway, I was reconsidering and might just get the Droid 2. I really don't know what to do :/

Simple. Test drive. Wait for an in-store display and try it out before you buy. Most people seem to have strong preferences when it comes to keyboards. Include an assessment of a given device's keyboard before you buy.

 

[esthernrob]

i prefer the on-screen kb... with my EVO's large screen, it's much easier to type in landscape... this is my first android smartphone, came over from sanyo incognito, which had physical keyboard but was smaller... not a gamer, just messaging so on screen is it.... in my opinion...