Poll: Does Your Smartphone Need a Keyboard?
On the current MobileTechRoundup podcast Kevin, Matt and I discussed the physical keyboard, or lack thereof, on Android phones. We pointed out that keyboards (or the desired lack of one) are a personal choice, and everyone has a different opinion. So how about it? Does a smartphone need a hardware keyboard before you’ll consider adding it to your belt holster? Or maybe your smartphone better not have one at all? Take a moment to answer today’s poll — it will be interesting to see what everyone thinks.
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I prefer a hardware keyboard, but I won’t turn down a phone that doesn’t have one.
It would be nice having a HTC Android phone with Snapdragon and a slider keyboard ..
For me the easy answer to that question was to first use a phone without one, then experience the difference with one that does. When you’re pounding out text message after text message, as some folks do, that sliding keyboard makes a world of a difference. It saves you from taking the stylus out and also frees up the screen – a big deal when you’re trying to take down notes and need to see as much of the screen as possible.
The first things I look for in a smartphone are a good keyboard and a 3.5mm jack – everything else is secondary. If I cannot take advantage of the text input abilities and listen to music on my favorite headphones then it’s not a smartphone I need.
James, let me suggest another poll – 3.5mm jacks!
A hardware keyboard is nice to have, but for me, who needs to multi-lingual keyboards (English + Korean, at least), face-plate changing software keyboard works.
That’s a really good point. However, we should be able to have both hard and soft keyboards, right? For example, if you primarily use english, then use the hardware keyboard. When you have to type in korean (etc) use the software keyboard.
These smart phones with hardware keyboards DO still let you use the software keyboard if you haven’t slid out the hardware keyboard, right?
My first smartphone, XV6700, had a hardware keyboard but it made the phone very bulky. My second, Samsung Omnia, is much thinner but has only a software keyboard and not only does the on-screen keyboard really cut into the viewing area but I find that a make significantly more typing errors using it. While a hardware keyboard isn’t mandatory it will definitely be a significant plus factor when selecting my next smartphone.
As for jack size I’m currently happy with 2.5mm since I have an adapter that lets me use a standard PC headset with my phones. This option provides better listening and speaking quality than any phone headset I’ve ever tried. If a phone has a 3.5mm headset jack it had better have an option for a separate mic jack.
I wont buy a phone that doesn’t have a hardware keyboard. I’ve never used a virtual keyboard that I would want to use exclusively, or even predominantly.
I also want a dedicated number area on the keyboard (no requirement for hitting a Fn/Alt/Sym button). There are a few 4 row keyboards that do that, but mainly it means 5 rows.
Last, the best feel I’ve had on ANY thumb keyboard I’ve used or tried, is the one on the G1. With the exception of not having control or escape keys, it’s just about the perfect thumb keyboard.
If you can do more than just talk, ala Bag Phone,
then yes, a physical keyboard for me.
However, I have to use 2 hands to type and dial.
(unlike some of the expert one-handers from the posts below,
I bet they can eat and drink coffee with the free hand–LOL)
Gotta have a keyboard. I did the keyboardless thing once… that was enough! I help people out with their iPhones all the time, and if that’s the best on-screen tech has to offer… then it improved greatly. And still a million times no, no, no. If it doesn’t have a keyboard, it isn’t for me. :)
They make smartphones without proper keyboards? That’s like having peanut butter without banana in your sandwich! Ugh.
The first thing I do when I see a post about a new smartphone is look at the specs and pictures. If there isn’t a proper keyboard I move on past. That’s why I’ve never read a review of your favourite phone. :)
Jam or marshmallow fluff are also good with peanut butter. ;)
peanut butter on toast isn’t too bad either… just take a sip of coffee when you take a bite ;)
After having several generations of Treos with a keyboard I forced myself to go without for over a year. It works, but it was definitely harder without. So I’m back to a Pre with keyboard now and expect to stay that way.
I like my iPhone but I would prefer if it had a keyboard. (Didn’t know how to express this in the poll.)