Stylus recommendation thread - HTC U Ultra Questions & Answers

Hi, I wanted to open this thread to poll all working alternatives of styluses that work with the HTC U Ultra.
The market is pretty difficult to understand and I think we all could benefit from people with first-hand experience.
Personally I'm interested in battery-powered capacitive styluses with a sharp tip. Or possibly Bluetooth.
But if you have found other favorites, please share

Related

Touch HD Vs Xperia X1

Hey all,
I've been tossing up for weeks between the two, and it's driving me nuts.
Any suggestions, comments or recommendations?
To give you some background, my main quarrels are:
Touch HD
- No hardware keyboard
- Much lower video quality
Xperia
- Much smaller screen (on this point, can anyone tell me whether or not the size difference makes a significant difference to web browsing? although the resolution is the same, the actual physical display makes a difference, so you would have to zoom in anyway on the xperia)
- Resistive touchscreen
Any thoughts?
charbz said:
Hey all,
I've been tossing up for weeks between the two, and it's driving me nuts.
Any suggestions, comments or recommendations?
To give you some background, my main quarrels are:
Touch HD
- No hardware keyboard
- Much lower video quality
Xperia
- Much smaller screen (on this point, can anyone tell me whether or not the size difference makes a significant difference to web browsing? although the resolution is the same, the actual physical display makes a difference, so you would have to zoom in anyway on the xperia)
- Resistive touchscreen
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are MANY threads already that go into great detail about this. Use the search function on the top menu line and let google do the searching. Search for 'hd vs x1' or something like that, and you'll have a multitude of xda forums to look through. Good luck!
Use the searchoption...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=500029
Touch HD Vs Xperia
Fallen Spartan said:
There are MANY threads already that go into great detail about this. Use the search function on the top menu line and let google do the searching. Search for 'hd vs x1' or something like that, and you'll have a multitude of xda forums to look through. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been doing so, for a very long time now. I've owned a tytn and a kaiser, for which I sampled a great range of roms - the flashing and troubleshooting of which I learned on my own through extensive research, reading and experimentation.
I've never asked any stupid questions, nor have I asked anything which I didn't feel was a necessary question for me to move forward.
I've done google search upon google search upon google search, and nothing seems to really give me a down to earth, practical answer. I'm at the point where I'm rereading reviews, forum posts and video reviews.
Sure there may be many answers to many questions, but I still haven't found the answer I want presented in a clear, concise manner (and no, "answer I want" doesn't mean "what I want to hear", but rather "hitting the nail on the head").
I've been tossing up for a long time - and this involves a whole heap of research.
Any help from people who've been using either or both for a decent amount of time would be greatly appreciated.
charbz said:
I've been doing so, for a very long time now. I've owned a tytn and a kaiser, for which I sampled a great range of roms - the flashing and troubleshooting of which I learned on my own through extensive research, reading and experimentation.
I've never asked any stupid questions, nor have I asked anything which I didn't feel was a necessary question for me to move forward.
I've done google search upon google search upon google search, and nothing seems to really give me a down to earth, practical answer. I'm at the point where I'm rereading reviews, forum posts and video reviews.
Sure there may be many answers to many questions, but I still haven't found the answer I want presented in a clear, concise manner (and no, "answer I want" doesn't mean "what I want to hear", but rather "hitting the nail on the head").
I've been tossing up for a long time - and this involves a whole heap of research.
Any help from people who've been using either or both for a decent amount of time would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so you say you have done your research. Hasn't it occurred to you that there are some threads where people have said they own both at some stage or still have both for example xmoo on this thread
Why not PM these people if your aren't getting your answer and ask them nicely why they exchanged one for the other or why they are going back to one etc etc etc
What exactly did you type into your search, because that's the first time I've seen that thread.
My apologies for the inconvenience, although I can genuinely say that I've put a lot of effort into finding infomation in general... I ain't noob posting (intentionally anyway).
charbz said:
What exactly did you type into your search, because that's the first time I've seen that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just typed in a mixture of different search options i.e. Xperia X1, Touch HD, Touch HD Vs Xperia X1, hd vs x1, etc etc etc
Not sure which one it popped up in!
May also be due to date thread started and when you did your searches
using AND between words when one search makes sure it only give results where both search terms are included
Thanks for your advice and timely responses guys.
I pm'd the guy with Touch HD issues and am waiting on a reply now - good idea. I'm going to keep doing some reading, and if anything out of the ordinary pops up, I'll report back here, just so that this thread is at least somewhat constructive.
charbz said:
Hey all,
I've been tossing up for weeks between the two, and it's driving me nuts.
Any suggestions, comments or recommendations?
To give you some background, my main quarrels are:
Touch HD
- No hardware keyboard
- Much lower video quality
Xperia
- Much smaller screen (on this point, can anyone tell me whether or not the size difference makes a significant difference to web browsing? although the resolution is the same, the actual physical display makes a difference, so you would have to zoom in anyway on the xperia)
- Resistive touchscreen
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the touch HD, I can type at a moderate pace with the on screen keyboard, also the T9 give input suggestions so texting is pretty fast.
To be honest I hate the camera on the HD, it just is slow and not worth a damn dime(either the quality is really bad in low light conditions or it so slow that I missed a lot of special moments, kids just don't stand still if you know what I mean), would be much better if they implement a good and fast 3.2 megapixels sensor than a slow 5 megapixels one.
I had a couple of hours with an xperia till I finally decided that I didn't like it at all. Its all personal perceptions, but the panels interface felt really sluggish, its one of the very first batch so it could have been fixed by now. It didn't have the accelerometer so you have to flip out the keyboard to get it to landscape mode and no games like resco bubles or teeter.
The experia didn't came with opera but instead uses the sluggisch internet explorer, I thoroughly hated the internet experience, it was slow and pages didn't load properly if they load at all. The screen was wide but so small you need a magnefying glass to read it.
The keyboard felt cramp and didn't give any good feedback, I would not suggest using it for a prolongue period of time on it or you might develop RSI in your thumbs.
I really wanted to like it cause I had good experience with SE, it looks stylish and has a slide out keyboard that is slightedly tilted, but the small screen is a big turn off, never regretted getting the HD over the xperia.
Both have resistive touch screens
The difference is that the one in xperia is "recessed"
I prefer the Touch HD because of the bigger screen.
It is great to the web (here the size is very important), videos, etc...
The video quality is also very good! (after converting using a program in this forum)
I would choose the Touch HD.
For me the physical keyboard isn't so important...
And the Xperia doesn't have accelerometer.
Welcome to the wonderful hospitality of XDA developers, were you must never voice your "subjective opinions" or ask what individuals may "deem" as a daft question. Course the Irony is in the time it takes to moan an moan about a question, it could have been answered in half the time with a poilite
"oh by the way i found this by searching the forums, might save you a bit of time next time hay, an save duplicate threads! bye for now!"
but anyway
Touch HD, i wouldnt jump up an down about video quality being bad, with the last few Dutty ROMs 2.4-2.6 ive been able to play back xvids and H264 videos without the need for converting them with perfect playback, the interface is smooth and very plesent to use, the keyboard is fine to use, if you have big fingers then turn it on its side. The only thing on this device that is trully crap is the camera, its very slow (all be it slightly better on latest Dutty ROMS) quality is good, but the time from click to megabytes is way too long
I found the X1 to be quite shoddy on the build quality front, the keyboard which i thought was going to be amazing from the reviews wasnt that good but by no means bad, overall, i got the X1, didnt like it, flogged it off on Ebay then used that money to by an HD and ive never looked back.
Wow! No regrets whatsoever in asking the question! Thanks for the great feedback guys, this is exactly what i've been looking for! Touch hd it is! I can't accept my webbrowsing on a screen which isn't practical, and i guess that's what my main problem was now that i think back to it.
Thanks again everyone!
charbz said:
Touch hd it is! I can't accept my webbrowsing on a screen which isn't practical, and i guess that's what my main problem was now that i think back to it.
Thanks again everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good decision IMHO! I owned the Xperia X1a for 2 months and although I highly commend its build quality, great screen, and even like the panels (although never found much use for them), I concluded the screen is just too small for me -- I now have the THD and love it! I believe the key parameters for such a decision (and when the Touch Pro 2 vs Touch Diamond 2 come out this will arise again) are: do I need a keyboard, which is more important - room on the screen (size of the things on it) or size in my pocket ---- THD suits me very well.

No Stylus or Video Calling?

Hi to all of those Leo owners.
Is it true that there is no stylus with the Leo?
I have large fingers and the built in stylus (eg like that of the Diamond2) is a must.
And there is no second camera for video calling?
I also use this feature and it is not on this phone.
I know many are saying the Leo is a great phone but without these 2 features it seems sadly lacking.
It would be nice if it also came with an 8 megapixel or more camera.
What do you guys think?
Aussie
just shut up, and don`t buy it, and never ever visit this part of xda ok?
Hey,
jep thats correct ... no stylus and no second video cam for conference calls.
but there was a link for an stylus on the web, that can used with the capacitive screen.
regards
I don't care about video calls and I WANT device with capacitive (and large) screen. So HD2 is simply exactly what I want. If it is not for you, I agree with previous poster, even if I don't approve on his style.
20mihalko said:
just shut up, and don`t buy it, and never ever visit this part of xda ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...lol... ^^
To be fair, read the specs. It tells you EXACTLY what you need to know. There are enough reviews of the device out now, to know exactly what it has.
aussie1234 said:
Hi to all of those Leo owners.
Is it true that there is no stylus with the Leo?
I have large fingers and the built in stylus (eg like that of the Diamond2) is a must.
And there is no second camera for video calling?
I also use this feature and it is not on this phone.
I know many are saying the Leo is a great phone but without these 2 features it seems sadly lacking.
It would be nice if it also came with an 8 megapixel or more camera.
What do you guys think?
Aussie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no use for a stylus with a capacitive screen. The only thing that you are really giving up is the ability to use notepad, which I use quite a bit.
As for the second camera... it would be nice, but oh well
Thanks for the feedback
Hi again
Thanks for the constructive feedback. The other feedback just shows how anal some of you are.
Some sellers in my country sell the Leo with a stylus. But the specs and reviews say there is none. Scouring the net shows a few expressing their disappointment with the lack of stylus which helps with apps that require precision tapping or touching (eg Spreadsheets, games etc) or for those who just have large fingers.
Perhaps those who have told me to just "shut up" and not to "visit xda" should follow their own advice if they have nothing constructive to add.
Dont forget to burp your Leo.
Cheers
Aussie
Just ignore 'em.
My Leo didn't come with a stylus, and it doesn't have video call either. I too have large fingers so I am a bit annoyed, but I'll live
Thank you
Chainfire said:
Just ignore 'em.
My Leo didn't come with a stylus, and it doesn't have video call either. I too have large fingers so I am a bit annoyed, but I'll live
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback.
How is the smoothness and precision when navigating around the phone without a stylus?
I have used the iphone and found that very smooth. Is the Leo also as easy?
Cheers
Aussie
aussie1234 said:
Thanks for the feedback.
How is the smoothness and precision when navigating around the phone without a stylus?
I have used the iphone and found that very smooth. Is the Leo also as easy?
Cheers
Aussie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have an iPhone so it's hard to compare. I do have an iPod which I have used an awesome 3 times. Compared to what I remember, it's control is a bit better. The Leo screen is very sensitive. Looking at it almost makes stuff happen There's a fix that lowers the sensitivity around here though, but I have not tried that out yet. As it is, without fix, typing accurately is a real pain. I would have much prefered if it had came with a capacitive stylus, as HTC does make those...
Chainfire said:
I don't have an iPhone so it's hard to compare. I do have an iPod which I have used an awesome 3 times. Compared to what I remember, it's control is a bit better. The Leo screen is very sensitive. Looking at it almost makes stuff happen There's a fix that lowers the sensitivity around here though, but I have not tried that out yet. As it is, without fix, typing accurately is a real pain. I would have much prefered if it had came with a capacitive stylus, as HTC does make those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone should really make a thought control program for the HD2 then there would be no need for fingers or styluses at all
The capacative styluses on ebay are very competant especially for hand written notes or navigating around windows explorers. I wouldnt advise trimming them down though as I decided to do one night to see if a more precise point could be made, I guess the styluses need a certain surface area making contact with the screen which is probably why they are made like that HAHA.
Ohh well at least I have 1 left which works well on my ipod touch so it should be fine with my HD2.. IF IT EVER ARRIVES!!
mskip said:
Someone should really make a thought control program for the HD2 then there would be no need for fingers or styluses at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that control program is allready made, you can enable pinch to zoom in every application, so if you have problems tapping on some small button, you can zoom in... it is pretty usefull, but i never used it for example in explorer... i don`t have any problems clicking anywhere
The lack of stylus is a bit of a problem (Especially considering the fact I use many spreadsheet files).
The more problematic thing is that HTC has developed a stylus for capacitive screens,
but do not include it with the device that should be their Flag-Ship device.
The lack of stylus results the keyboard size to be huge eating up a lot of screen space,
instead of including a stylus and letting the user choose wheter to use it or not,
and allowing the user to set the keyboard size to his pereferenced size.
Now - there are several "capacitive screen" styli out there that might work just fine
so there is a solution - but - I would have expected that HTC would supply a stylus,
especially when thay have already designed one.
20mihalko said:
just shut up, and don`t buy it, and never ever visit this part of xda ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brutal, funny, but oh so valid.
How hard is it to read the specs? Or a review? Or.. anything?
BTW is it true it has a capactive screen????!?! Thought I'd ask cos last 29 posts asking this might have been wrong!!!1!!!111!
mr_Ray said:
Brutal, funny, but oh so valid.
How hard is it to read the specs? Or a review? Or.. anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mr_Ray said:
I regret not having done my research before buying, there are enough other horror stories out there... lies, poor service, failure to deliver, honour returns, etc. etc. etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, it's rather hard.
Chainfire said:
Apparently, it's rather hard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow what are you, some kind of stalker?
FWIW there's a difference between researching a company who you want to do nothing more than put a label on a box and give it to the postman vs. a £500 device you'll be living with every day for a year or two.
Chainfire said:
I too have large fingers so I am a bit annoyed, but I'll live
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be interesting to see how the future goes with the competition between Capacitive and Resistive screens. Software developers either code them all under one roof (I'm not a developer, so I'm not sure how hard!!!) or have different versions (meaning more works and costly). Because the new WM 6.5.x are very Capacitive screen friendly. M$ did a good job on the cosmetics and it's functions!
mr_Ray said:
Wow what are you, some kind of stalker?
FWIW there's a difference between researching a company who you want to do nothing more than put a label on a box and give it to the postman vs. a £500 device you'll be living with every day for a year or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW anyone that is willing to part with £500 for a phone or anything else should be thoroughly researching every aspect of what they are buying including the company that is making it. If anything, researching the company is more important than all else as it gives insight as to build quality, customer support, future updates and fixes for what you are buying.
Even though HTC has many failings with regards to drivers and customer support I am still more than excited to get the HD2 as soon as I can, not just because the Hardware spec is the best available in todays phones but mainly because I know the dedicated members of xda-developers (which I am proud to be a part of) wont rest until the HTC HD2's full potential is unocked for the benefit of everyone.
jackkkkk said:
It would be interesting to see how the future goes with the competition between Capacitive and Resistive screens. Software developers either code them all under one roof (I'm not a developer, so I'm not sure how hard!!!) or have different versions (meaning more works and costly). Because the new WM 6.5.x are very Capacitive screen friendly. M$ did a good job on the cosmetics and it's functions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the future of Mobile Phones is capacitive screens whether people like it or not. All the major manufactures will start phasing out resistive screens in favour of capacitive technology due to the faster and more responsive feel of it. Styluses will also be phased out as Windows Mobile 7 and other 3rd party apps will have larger and more finger friendly buttons and menus.

(Req) Note taking on Samsung Galaxy Tab - something that really works.

When I purchased my tab 10.1, I was absolutely sure I made the right choice, after reading reviews about all the major tablets in the market. Now, after three months, I am not so sure. The disappointment is largely because of the failure of giants like Google and android tablet manufacturers to not being able to provide an "awesome" experience, even after more than one and a half years of being in the market. This frustration is one of those times when you really want to like something, but you just feel constantly, it could be much much better.
Minor software like a responsive keyboard shouldn't be that far-fethched for android. While typing this post on my tab, it seems like I am typing on a device/software that is not even an alpha release, even after so many years since android launched. And of course, I compare it to the iPad's keyboard, although I would never buy an Apple product - I like android for a reason (freedom).
I had thought I would always be able to take notes in meetings on the tab, but I have come to a very disappointing realization that the tab is just not made for note taking - not even close. I bought the Adonit Jot Pro thinking it is the best stylus in the market and would help greatly with note taking. When I started using the stylus, it was clear to me there is nothing out there that can accomplish the functionalty of note taking on the tab - Jot Pro clearly failed, but it's not the stylus's issue. Just why can't the tab, although it has a better hardware than the iPad, not allow decent note taking functionality?
I started considering the Thinkpad tablet as it touts a note-taking functionality and the screen is especially made for that, but after reading and watching reviews for that product, it seems Lenovo has a lot of catching up to do. The Thinkpad is sluggish, doesn't record notes as its windows tablet counterpart does in terms of speed and accuracy. After getting excited about an android tablet - the Thinkpad - that would allow note taking, I am back to square one after reading its reviews. I am not going to buy it.
The developers here do an amazing job to make our tabs better, but why is the android OS still subpar compared go the iOS? It can't be just that it has to cater to multiple hardware options and manufacturers, or that is is newer than the iOS. I don't think my expectations are unrealistic.
As the keyboard is giving me such grief, I will cut this post short and come back to the request/point. Does anyone know of an app that does something simple and basic like palm-rejection and follows the writing on the tab closely, without any lag? I have used writepad, free note, genial, super note, and others, which were supposed to be good for the tab, but alas, nothing accomplishes not taking. I am aware the polling on the screen for the tab is lagged compared to that for the iPad (and just Why?!), but am sure something could be done about it.
Please don't suggest buying another tablet, especially the iPad, or that I should develop an app for myself. Any sensible reader (hope SamsungJohn is still around, and someone from Andy Rubin's team reads this post) would know what the point of this post is. Thanks.
Sent from my GT-P7510
just use touchscreentune from development thread. Problem solved
vitalij said:
just use touchscreentune from development thread. Problem solved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you miss the part about palm rejection? Touchscreen Tune can't resolve that problem, as far as I can tell.
It also won't help with the lag associated with note apps that he was referring to.
I'm actually quite interested in a solution as well, as I would love to take this to my dev meetings when I don't want to lug around my laptop.
I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I would have liked to take notes with the G-Tab too but nothing I've found makes it ideal. There's an Asus note app in the dev section that helps a lot. For some reason it seems to accept responses better. It's what I used for short notes and phone numbers. For meeting notes, not so much.
ICS supports hand writing recognition natively. Hopefully there's not a h/w component required and that ends up being the long term solution for the Tab.
I wish there were an addon like the iPad's iPen for the Galaxy Tabs, it's an active digitizer:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1225098940/ipen-the-first-active-stylus-for-ipad
1) Handwriting
I don't know why there isn't an app for the tab that supports palm rejection. From a dev point of view, I assume the problem lies therein that it isn't possible to block other touchevents, so you cannot "ignore" parts of the screen. This may easily be a hardware related issue, that further touchpoints are ignored when your hand rests on the screen.
2) "Minor software like a responsive keyboard shouldn't be that far-fethched for android."
Have you tried a ROM like Galaxy Tab? The keyboard (stock) is much better than the touchwiz one.
3) Notetaking
TouchScreenTune, if you haven't tried it yet. Check out the dev section. No, doesn't help with palm rejection BUT, makes the notetaking for me possible.
Added palm rejection to TouchScreenTune Test version in development thread:
PALM REJECTION:
added slider allowing to turn on palm rejection. That means that you hand can rest on screen while writing using stylus, but you will still be able to write since touch events from your palm will be ignored. Set palm detection slider value to 0 or maybe a bit more like 1-10 to enable this functionality.
there are some reports that the galaxy note pen works on the galaxy tab , it has thin tip and should be accurate in writing notes with supported applications
i dont use stylus but i use finger to write notes. i use ausus super note app and i feel comfortable compared to other notes app. you can try touchscreen tune if you havent tried it.
kmaq said:
i dont use stylus but i use finger to write notes. i use ausus super note app and i feel comfortable compared to other notes app. you can try touchscreen tune if you havent tried it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The latest touchscreen tune with palm rejection (from the thread in the dev section) works well with asus supernote.
you can try these...
try the onscreen keyboard apps like thumb keyboard or swiftkey tablet x .
Both are really very good.
Thumb keyboard with multitouch option is really very helpfull.
Everyone knows about the predictive powers of swiftkey.
TooSlo said:
Did you miss the part about palm rejection? Touchscreen Tune can't resolve that problem, as far as I can tell.
It also won't help with the lag associated with note apps that he was referring to.
I'm actually quite interested in a solution as well, as I would love to take this to my dev meetings when I don't want to lug around my laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the multi touch bottom it help when my palm touched the screen it stopped it from reading my palm touch
The reason for the choppiness is that androids UI and keyboard ius not hardware accelerated like apple's. Android also runs it as oje process, while apple tries to split it up to accommodate doing smaller things (so only one thing lags rather than whole ui).
I hope this is fixed more in ICS, but i have noticed that too. You cna put a custom rom on the tablet to make it a lot faster (stock rom is pretty buggy).
To be honest I'd recommend getting a bluetooth keyboard. I have one that's part of a case and it works perfectly. Aside from that I think you just need to use an app that suits you, I don't mind Polaris to be honest, but I find for speed typing I DO need the keyboard.
Huh? I'm on 3.1 and the standard Android keyboard (not the Samsung one that's on by default) works great. Very responsive, zero lag.
I have the tab 8.9 and there is no touchscreen app so a little worse off than the 10.1.
I use the app freenotes to take notes along with a pogo sketch stylus. THis makes the tab great for notetaking for me- very flexible and very easy to take clear notes in real time. Will also try the Asus supernote app soon.
I just wish it had the PDF and other document import export that apps like notability have on iOS- would make it perfect
i have motorola xoom, ipad 1, and now SGT,and i personally think that people who want to use their tablet to take note , they can do that. But to have a tablet+ stylus that they can comfortably write as they do with their notebook+pen is a different story.
I found Quill. It's quite good. It seems to be open source because it's available in Google Code and you can download the APK: http://code.google.com/p/android-quill/downloads/list
It have an option for disabling the bottom of the screen for resting your palm, though with TouchScreenTune you don't need it...
However, it's choppy in the GT10.1 unless you are rooted and install TouchScreenTune (which, by the way, was recently updated and now really works! Thanks dev!)
Sent from my SGT10.1 using XDA Premium
I tried almost everything, and the best ones at the moment, are TabNotes, Writepad for stylus, and Handrite and Genial writing for handwriting.
Everything else is either laggy or choppy or just doesn't work well. At least imo. Quill and Freenote don't even compare with the two first above in responsiveness.
Of course you need touchscreentune, the recommended settings work fine. Palm rejection works quite well too, with the new version. (thanks again Vitalijus).
I tested all this on a UK tab version hc 3.2 (XXKL2).
I haven't tried Writepad because for some reason cannot buy apps from my tab... But Quill fill my needs.
Sent from my SGT10.1 using XDA Premium

[Q] Touchscreen Laptops - in what ways will it enhance the experience?

Hi,
With Windows 8 about to be publicly released (which I'm already using on my desktop PC and really like) I was interested to hear what people think about 'touch' on laptops (not tablets)?
I'm not really looking for criticisms of the idea - I could easily do that - instead I'm hoping to get a feel for how it might positively enhance the experience? It can be hard to see how a new feature, new device, new way of working will matter to you until you've had it a while - but later on you can wonder how you ever lived without it - and I wonder if that's going to be the same with touch on laptops.
It would be great to hear your ideas. I ask because I'm just about to buy a new laptop and I'm wondering whether I would regret it later if I didn't get one with a touch screen (despite not currently understanding why I would want/use that feature).
Thanks!
Ian
otherworld said:
Hi,
With Windows 8 about to be publicly released (which I'm already using on my desktop PC and really like) I was interested to hear what people think about 'touch' on laptops (not tablets)?
I'm not really looking for criticisms of the idea - I could easily do that - instead I'm hoping to get a feel for how it might positively enhance the experience? It can be hard to see how a new feature, new device, new way of working will matter to you until you've had it a while - but later on you can wonder how you ever lived without it - and I wonder if that's going to be the same with touch on laptops.
It would be great to hear your ideas. I ask because I'm just about to buy a new laptop and I'm wondering whether I would regret it later if I didn't get one with a touch screen (despite not currently understanding why I would want/use that feature).
Thanks!
Ian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using the laptop to do work and traditional stuff you wont miss much esp if you get a windows 8 multi touch gesture mouse to go with it. I think if you want to take advantage though of things like the cool touch based games them multi touch is a bonus - try playing fruit ninga on a laptop touch pad and you get the idea.
I personally love the way it works with mouse so I don't think you will regret it in any way. Though some uses are as I said multi touch gestures like zooming in/out is a main one but there is a load of others in there. Also i don't know about other people but a laptop mouse sucks and i don't like having to mind some ware to use a normal one if say im on a train, plain or taxi etc so being able to touch the screen is much faster and easier.
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...89ECFD45CA0654775864CDBAD2606AC7#.UIA8UsU0WSo
Lenovo has had this forever with thinkpad x tablet. It is a laptop with a touchscreen that can flip back on its keyboard and become a laptop. It also comes with a stylus and wacom digitizer on the screen for pressure sensitivity. These things work great on windows 7 and I expect them to be even better on windows 8.
Dell and HP are beginning to roll out their variants now that touch will be deeply integrated into the OS.
It's very interesting the idea of a stylus; thanks for mentioning that. That might be a significant reason to get one. I wonder what kind of accuracy it will have in that respect (i.e. will it just be the equivalent sensitivity as a finger touch, or enough accuracy to e.g. touch up a specific pixel of a photo). I can definitely see how that would enhance the graphics packages I use, and the idea of note taking & sketching ideas is an interesting one (e.g. in onenote).
Games is a good one too - rearranging e.g. cards/pieces/.. on screen is so much more natural to do with touch. It will be interesting to see if the popularity of touch will influence more game like interfaces on standard applications and web sites in any way, and drag & drop in any application can be awkward with a trackpad.
I wonder what the ergonomics will be like on a laptop with touch; on a tablet it's obviously very quick to say tap a hyperlink; but in a laptop setup (apart from if folded flat) I can't see it being particularly comfy to keep reaching out. As you said though; on a train (or just sat on the sofa) it might make quite a difference.
Anyway thanks for your posts! Very helpful.
otherworld said:
It's very interesting the idea of a stylus; thanks for mentioning that. That might be a significant reason to get one. I wonder what kind of accuracy it will have in that respect (i.e. will it just be the equivalent sensitivity as a finger touch, or enough accuracy to e.g. touch up a specific pixel of a photo). I can definitely see how that would enhance the graphics packages I use, and the idea of note taking & sketching ideas is an interesting one (e.g. in onenote).
Games is a good one too - rearranging e.g. cards/pieces/.. on screen is so much more natural to do with touch. It will be interesting to see if the popularity of touch will influence more game like interfaces on standard applications and web sites in any way, and drag & drop in any application can be awkward with a trackpad.
I wonder what the ergonomics will be like on a laptop with touch; on a tablet it's obviously very quick to say tap a hyperlink; but in a laptop setup (apart from if folded flat) I can't see it being particularly comfy to keep reaching out. As you said though; on a train (or just sat on the sofa) it might make quite a difference.
Anyway thanks for your posts! Very helpful.
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Click to collapse
In my experience the stylus is extremely accurate. I have a professor with this laptop (or an older version) right now and she draws on powerpoint slides with great precision. I have also seen someone with one taking notes in OneNote (you know that useless Office program since 2007) effectively.

Future of the Yoga Book

Hey guys,
i know this topic is more kind of a fortune telling theoretical study but what do you think -
Will the Yoga Book get much support from the community or will it be a soon to be abandoned piece of technology? I'm currently thinking about purchasing one but as the owner of an Asus Transformer Prime i'm a little bit spoiled by still getting great roms and updates for an already outdated device. I would really like to buy a Lenovo book because it's the only one with a full keyboard/touchpad but it's worthless if there is no support from developers.
Again, sorry for this theoretical topic - i'm just interested in your opinion
NiffStipples said:
Hey guys,
i know this topic is more kind of a fortune telling theoretical study but what do you think -
Will the Yoga Book get much support from the community or will it be a soon to be abandoned piece of technology? I'm currently thinking about purchasing one but as the owner of an Asus Transformer Prime i'm a little bit spoiled by still getting great roms and updates for an already outdated device. I would really like to buy a Lenovo book because it's the only one with a full keyboard/touchpad but it's worthless if there is no support from developers.
Again, sorry for this theoretical topic - i'm just interested in your opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really an answer to your question, but I wanted to give my rant.
I own a lenovo book and I can tell you that it's not worth the hipe (at least the android version, which I own)
The keyboard is not convinient for long term typing because there is no physical feel of the buttons and your fingers start to hurt after a while because of the hard surface of the "keyboard".
the modified android version is not as refined as it should be, I had issues with my bluetooth headset for example.
if you disable the google app from settings, then on rebboot, the os will go into a boot loop,
the main feature of this thing, which is the real pen, is useful mainly for artists. so unless you are able to draw manga or you have some picasso spirit within you... you will not use the pen for much useful things.
the touchpad (mouse) does not work great with android. not responsive as it should be.
finally, i have a defective (out of contrast) pixel on my screen... and I have seen people online complaining about screen issues...
on the positive side, the sound quality is great and the battery life too.
mo121212 said:
not really an answer to your question, but I wanted to give my rant.
the main feature of this thing, which is the real pen, is useful mainly for artists. so unless you are able to draw manga or you have some picasso spirit within you... you will not use the pen for much useful things.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything you said. I'm not sure, if Yoga Book real pen is that useful for artists. It's really awkward to draw not on the screen (to say the least). I now own Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen (much cheaper device), and it really felt like a relief to write/draw on the screen. Also despise this Samsung tablet having significantly weaker hardware, it still manages to be much more useful than Yoga Book (to me). By the way, they actually both suck in comparison with iPad Pro, but iPad is much more expensive.
focus-pocus said:
I agree with everything you said. I'm not sure, if Yoga Book real pen is that useful for artists. It's really awkward to draw not on the screen (to say the least). I now own Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen (much cheaper device), and it really felt like a relief to write/draw on the screen. Also despise this Samsung tablet having significantly weaker hardware, it still manages to be much more useful than Yoga Book (to me). By the way, they actually both suck in comparison with iPad Pro, but iPad is much more expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry to say that you do not undestand how beautiful this device is. First of all most of the digital artists have been drawing on tablets(not on the screen, screen thing is more of a new thing) for more than 40 years, and many many masterpieces were created that way. I have been using Wacom tablets for more than 20 years (drawing, 3d modeling, regular desktop use etc) and Lenovo Book is a relief to me. I also have the Samsung Note devices (2014 10.1, Note 8, Note 4), they are good but they are no where near Yoga Book when it comes to precision, control and speed.
If you never used a graphics tablet before this thing might feel weird to you, if you have been a digital artist who have been using a graphics tablets alll along , this thing is just god sent.
As perspective, I see also an interesting usage in the sales and consulting area.
With the relevant apps, you could use it with your customers and prospects for all smart forms usage. A printed form with a real pen breaks the numerical wall.
I'll attempt to use it for my consulting business, taking notes and sharing it immediately by example. Indeed, I amn't novice in this area, was working with an Equil 2 smartpen during one year.
I join the point about the key point, the support for developers. By example offering a native integration for alternatives to the too limited NoteSaver native application.
Wait and See ...
For me, the most important thing is if the yoga book gets rooted and custom roms or in short - a developing and living community behind it. At the moment for me it doesn't seem if there is much interest from the community

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