POLL: Do you like the keyboard?

[collection]

Do you think the next android based phone should come with a physical keyboard, like this one?

[MobileMan]

I think it should have both. So you can type with one or two hands.

[Lukster]

why i most certainly do

[Stanovoy]

I will not buy it if it doesn't have a physical keyboard.

[Divest]

The subject is a bit vague because it doesn't really say compared to what.

I voted yes either way because it's comfortable, infinitely more comfortable than a virtual keyboard at least.

Compared to other pull out keyboards, I wouldn't know. I've really only used the cheapy Rumor Sprint phone keyboard and of course, it sucked.

Yes, I think the next phone should have a pull out keyboard. I'm not sure anyone would vote "no". I think the only votes for "no" will be those, like myself, who assumed the poll creator would know how to make a proper poll thread and voted based on the subject.

[NismoG35]

I think different phones are better suited for different type of people depending on what they do on thier phone. Obvisouly a virtual keyboard like the iPhone woudnt be best for me since i put out about 4,000+ messages a month. Some people dont text very much so a virtual keyboard would be perfect for them.

[ulyses]

I liked the keyboard on my Sidekick better. The keys were raised a little higher. On my G1 they're a little too flat.

[MrGibbage]

I marked "Yes", but I find myself typing with the end of my fingernails and I am worried that I might start scratching the letters off.

[NetCom]

I also marked yes but do have comparison to make: T-Mobile MDA keyboard is definitely wider and that helps in slightly faster typing but nothing extra fast.
If the phone does not have the keyboard I will still have to see what kind of phone it is. For instance I like what beHOLD has currently. If is in portrait mode you get the on-screen keyboard in the format of the regular phone numbers. If you turn it into the landscape position it switches to full qwerty keyboard on-screen.

We are just one app far away to have that on our G1s - so I am not scared that much that G2 will not be better than G1 :)

[bizarro_stormy]

tactile improvements must be made, but i want a physical qwerty.

[ckolg1]

i love my slide qwerty.. it feels special lol

[Boogdriod]

Doesn't bother me...

[Gardenwife]

Do you think the next android based phone should come with a physical keyboard, like this one?

Yes, I think they should. However, it should come with a good virtual keyboard as well. I hate having to open the phone just to enter a quick couple of words.

On the keyboard itself, I'd modify a couple of things. First, I'd come up with something other than the chin; that really does make it hard for me to type, especially when I have the unit plugged in for charging or data transfer.

I'd reverse the period and comma keys; the way they are now, I find myself accidentally typing a comma when I mean to type a period. I'm currently rewiring my brain to adapt. LOL

I'd also put the menu key over on the right since it's easy to hit it instead of shift. On the right, it would still be accessible, but out of the way.

I'd also make it so the alternate characters could be typed by holding the key down, like you can on the Dash. I know a developer can come out with an app that will do this (please? anyone?), but I think it should be a default.

[orange]

yup, next android phone should have a keyboard but better one. if not, at least better color for the keyboard.

I like that G1 has physical keyboard and someday we will have onscreen keyboard as well. but this keyboard is not very comfortable since it's super flat. and specially with bronze model you all know the problem why it's not so great keyboard.

[DDM123]

I need a physical keyboard. It's the reason i never got an iPhone.

[pinoyG!gsr]

Yes! Physical keyboard should definitely stay for the next android phone. Virtual keyboard alongside it would also be a plus ;)

[dwang]

I like the keyboard but didn't like the bronze keyboard because I couldn't see the keys in low light. Now that I have a black g1, I like the keyboard much better.

[Darrylp]

Keyboard concept is great but having contrasting letters and numbers printed on keys would make it much better i.e. I cannot read the keys in dull light.

[ilp2003]

I think it should have both. So you can type with one or two hands.
THIS. physical>onscreen, everytime.

[xdavidn88]

no doubt. 111

[XDViPeR]

Both would be fine, for short text messages while driving, I hate having to pull over to type something, I'd be fine typing with one hand on the virtual keyboard :)

[InspectorGadget]

Well, the poll was not, "Do you like the keyboard" but actually, "Do you think the keyboard should be in the next android phone?"

I must have a physical keyboard. My callused fingers cannot type on a capacitive-touchscreen keyboard, even in landscape mode. However, they could improve the tactile quality of the keys on the G1 keyboard. They slope convex, which is totally wrong. All keyboards have "cupped" tops to the keys (concave) which helps your fingers locate the keys and the key edges. On the G1 keyboard, your fingers don't know where the key edges are because they just slope and flow to the next key and so your fingers tend to lose location. If they had tactile referents your brain (probably cerebellum) would keep your fingers oriented properly automatically!

OK, all that being said, if you ask me "Do you think the keyboard should be in the NEXT android phone," I would say NO. Not all people like or need the physical keyboard, and one of the chief complaints about the G1 is that it is too thick and bulky compared to the iPhone, and this is largely due to the keyboard.

I would like to see another android phone with a form-factor like the G1 (maybe more like the HTC Touch Pro where the whole phone back slides for the keyboard -- no "chin") with a physical keyboard and with improved keys.

But I think they'd be crazy not to make an android phone without a keyboard at all and make it as slim and sexy as they can to compete with the iPhone form factor.

- The Inspector

[AJTx0]

I honestly have no idea why people WOULDN'T want a physical keyboard on the next G1.
I've experienced the virtual keyboard on the G1 via ChompSMS, and I still think it's such a hassle to type in vertically. Even after playing with the iPhone's (blasphemy? :/) keyboard, I still dislike it incredibly.

That being said, it's nice to have both when you can't open the keyboard.

[themadsquirrel]

I have an Ipod Touch, and I find the virtual keyboard to be tough to type with...and I have small, girl hands LOL. I can't imagine how hard it must be for a guy with big hands..

I would only consider a virtual keyboard if they included a stylus that could be stored on/in the phone.