Lack of a keyboard

[spacerog]

Here is an article over at Business 2.0 that talks about the iPhone's lack of a keyboard

http://blogs.businesss2.com/Apple/2007/06/Apple_iphone_al.html

A few reviews from journalists with advance copies of the iPhone. John Markofff calls the lack of the keyboard a "million dollar gamble". Walt Mossberg says that after an hour of use the on screen keyboard is 'OK' but wants to give it more time. I think Michael Gartenberg actually 'gets it' though when he says that the keyboard does not fit in with the current demographic of an iPhone user. And that it is not about the features set or the specs or 'what' the iPhone is. It is all about the 'How'. If you don't understand that the 'how' is the important part then you don't understand the iPhone.

Oh, and there is a poll on ZDNet net that asks if the iPhone's lack of a keyboard is a big concern

http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=1758

Currently it is running at 74% saying that "No-I can handle a touch-screen keyboard just fine"

- SR

 

[wyatt_450]

I like that fact that it doesn't have a key board, it makes the phone look so much cleaner and allows for the large screen.

 

[jtlax3]

I like that fact that it doesn't have a key board, it makes the phone look so much cleaner and allows for the large screen.

word. it's just so different and cool looking!

 

[ColsTiger]

I like that fact that it doesn't have a key board, it makes the phone look so much cleaner and allows for the large screen.

I always thought the keyboard phones looked too nerdy. If my job provided me with a Blackberry or Palm Treo, it might be okay, but for a personal phone I would choose something else. I don't feel the same way about the sleek styling of the iPhone.

 

[robhon]

I actually had a dream last night that I was using the keyboard on the iPhone. I was surprised at how easy it was to type. I would even type pretty fast on it.

(I think I'm spending too much time obsessing about this thing.)

 

[ColsTiger]

I actually had a dream last night that I was using the keyboard on the iPhone. I was surprised at how easy it was to type. I would even type pretty fast on it.

(I think I'm spending too much time obsessing about this thing.)

Ya think!

 

[Jeff]

I like that fact that it doesn't have a key board, it makes the phone look so much cleaner and allows for the large screen.

But will it stay clean with all the finger marks?

 

[robhon]

Ya think!

Says the guy from GA with 1,014 posts to his name. HA!

 

[Saiko]

But will it stay clean with all the finger marks?

I can't remember where I heard this (But I did), that a simple wipe off on a cloth shirt will remove a majority of all prints. Just carry a small glasses cloth with you in your back pocket or something, and it'll be a breeze to wipe off.

 

[ColsTiger]

Says the guy from GA with 1,014 posts to his name. HA!

thus the !

 

[thewuster777]

Plastic Keyboards

Well, In playing around with several smartphones, and pocketpc's throughout the years... the virtual keyboard is better than having a plastic keyboard.

1. Plastic keys are suseptable to some serious wear.
2. The plastic keys require pressure.. on some devices keys are hard to push down.
3. Virtual keyboards do enable devices to have larger screens.
4. Less buttons on a device = better with user friendliness.

Apple at the least... is very innovative in their UI design... I am sure they have done a good job designing it for the comfort of our fingers.. and it only gets better from there.

- Enoch

 

[joe]

A couple more points:

• The Blackberry Thumb should be mitigated with this keyboard.
• The keyboard should be easily swapped such as for Dvorak or non-American layouts.

 

[robhon]

thus the !

Think we could petition Chris to change the name of this site from Everything iPhone to Obsessedby iPhone?

 

[mrmacbook]

the touch-keyboard will do just fine. It's not like I will be typing the great american novel on the thing.

 

[wjp09]

I like that fact that it doesn't have a key board, it makes the phone look so much cleaner and allows for the large screen.

I agree it makes the phone