Database Users

How important is D-pad to you?

The missing D-pad has caused a bit of discussion. Some say it is completely unnecessary to have a D-pad, some say it is useless piece of device without it, some say the device is very difficult to use without it, while others say it is only a minor annoyance.
I would like to do this survey, and hopefully the design team in HTC will see the result and take it into account when designing the successor to Touch HD.
For those who vote that the device is impossible to use or a major inconvinience, please explain your case to to support why you have voted that way. This is to give others the chance to help you find alternative ways of using the device, and perhaps increase your satisfaction.

Its the one thing i am really missing on my HD........

I don't have mine yet.
But when I had the SonyEricsson P900 and Nokia 7710, I didn't use the hardware buttons much.
Though not having an "enter" button could be an annoyance.

...Which DPad? can you please remind me, after two weeks of touch HD, why do you need a Dpad and for what?

SingaporeAirlines said:
Though not having an "enter" button could be an annoyance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be possible to re-map any of the other buttons to "enter" ???
Also, at first I voted 'important', but then I considered the only times I really used the D-pad was for browsing and for some games, which I haven't been playing for a long time.
After all I think basically everything could be managed by using fingers or stylus.

pzucchel said:
...Which DPad? can you please remind me, after two weeks of touch HD, why do you need a Dpad and for what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I like it in Pocket informant contacts, the work around is to open the sip as this has the left, right, up, down, enter, just wish I could have those keys with out the Letters.
Maybe on a rainy day somebody will modify the Keyboard files and save it as a D-pad Keyboard.
That way you could swap the keyboard from standard to DPAD over the up icon at the bottom middle of the screen (the setings menu).

I didnt like it at the start, but Im not use to using it without it and I dont miss it anymore.

I got into a royal rumble with some psychos (who wanted to convince me that the lack of TV-OUT is worse than Armageddon) earlier so I will just post a few points I used previously:
1. If I am using a TOUCH screen I don't expect to NEED a D-pad.
2. If I am using a NON-TOUCH phone, then by all means, I am going to need a D-pad.
I can't be any clearer than this.
Now, if I do need a D-Pad then either:
A.) I don't understand the concept of a TOUCH screen.
B.) I play games like a 4 year old on my $1,000 SMARTphone.
C.) The screen sensitivity sucks and the software sucks even more.
C is on the manufacturer- if I just bought a TOUCH-screen phone and I NEED a D-Pad then they have F'n failed miserably. And I guess I have failed as a consumer for not doing my research.
These are MY thoughts, since you asked.

Back in the ipaq days, those units came with a sleeve you can attach for for example, a keyboard, CF expansion slot etc.. I wonder if there can be a USB expansion for a Dpad?

a soft d-pad
a d-pad works well when using the phone single-handed where you need the more precise control.
As suggested above a "soft" d-pad would probably be just as good, especially with haptic feedback and large buttons... anyone...?

A Soft-D-Pad would be excellent.

All device should have a dpad
Every time I see a device without a dpad I shake my head because it always looks as if a 5way would have fit in nicely. Its retarded to eave it out for looks! It is such a pain to navigate a cursor threw text with your finger.

Remembering my P900 days, that six-way wheel thing on the side was pretty nice.
They could have done something like that.

I have no necessary use for a dpad with my customized rom & apps...

galaxys said:
I have no necessary use for a dpad with my customized rom & apps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is that? In what way does the customized rom & apps help?
From my perspective, I missed D-pad only in mails application, MP3. In your rom, how is navigating from mail to mail, from mail account to another account, screen blanking and unblanking, song skipping done?
Appreciate you sharing these tips with us. Thanks.

jamespaulritter said:
Every time I see a device without a dpad I shake my head because it always looks as if a 5way would have fit in nicely. Its retarded to eave it out for looks! It is such a pain to navigate a cursor threw text with your finger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you refering to things like page up, page down of a document? Do you not have FtouchFLO, FtouchSL and stuff like that to do the same thing? I don't use D-pad for things like these.

maati said:
A Soft-D-Pad would be excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose if the D-pad is not a soft keyboard the use of which involves changing the keyboard first, then it would be okay. If it is a soft keyboard, then I think it is not worth the trouble.

exe said:
Back in the ipaq days, those units came with a sleeve you can attach for for example, a keyboard, CF expansion slot etc.. I wonder if there can be a USB expansion for a Dpad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what? You have something dangling out from the HD's USB port?

For the four posters who said HD is useless without the D-pad, would you mind describing what applicatoins and what you were trying to do that were made impossible due to the lack of D-pad?
Thanks and cheers.

eaglesteve said:
Are you refering to things like page up, page down of a document? Do you not have FtouchFLO, FtouchSL and stuff like that to do the same thing? I don't use D-pad for things like these.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not mean page up or page down. I think it is difficult to place and move a cursor threw text such as when you are editing a few words here and there in a document.

I hate the HD too!!! (Never thought I'd say that)

I miss my Trinity.
Been using HTC since they weren't branding themselves. My first phone was the Space Needle (ATT Pocket PC). I loved it. Did so much with it. Later flashed it, was very nice.
Then I moved on to the I-Mate Jam. Smaller, sleeker, also fun.
Then I got the Trinity P3600. This is absolutely the best phone there is in my opinion. It's small, light, has GPS, a decent camera, video call, mini SD slot.
I got more from my P3600 and a 2gb card than the HD has given me.
Yes, the HD has more memory, huge screen, better camera (although annoying, and who REALLY uses the camera on their phone for 'real' pictures), ..... wait, what more? For me, nothing.
I miss my d-pad. Try using the HD to go to Call History and view the contact details of the third caller down. You can't! No Way to move down. If you touch the contact, it calls him!!
Try finding a contact with the last name that begins with 'M' when you have 100+ contacts who begin with 'M' and the one you want is in the middle of the list. Oh, "just start typing part of the name" you might say. I DON'T WANT TO!! I'm using one hand. The only way is 'flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking'.
You've heard of "tennis elbow", now there's "flick thumb". What a pain!
And the soft touch buttons. USELESS!!!! First of all, forget the third one, the 'back arrow'. Does anyone use it? I don't. USELESS.
Now, try answering a call while the HD it in it's protective sleeve. While you're trying to slide the damn thing out, you almost inevidibly "answer" or "ignore" by accidentally pressing one of the soft buttons!! USELESS!
Now try putting the HD in your pocket or in the center console in your car. You will soon start hearing.....blip-blip-blip-blip-blip....... That's the soft keys being pressed accidentally.......Now look at the phone, it's frozen with just a start button.
..and and and......
I can go on, but this phone is hard to handle, very "touchy" and just a general PAIN IN THE A$$ to use, not to mention expensive as H3LL!!!
Glad I never sold my P3600. Will be going back to my old tried and true friend today. I flashed my Trinity to WM6.1, and it's GREAT!!!
Hope I can find a sucker to buy the HD before everyone starts realizing it sucks.
Thanks for listening!
-JoJo

haha, u made me laugh
well, firstly, were u blind when u were buying HD? I always check how device looks first, and you? Didn't u see it doesn't has a Dpad?
secondly, all your other problems are that you don't know what's a LOCK DEVICE function is...
in a conclusion, learn how to lock the device first, then you can talk about it

I miss my Trinity.
You still have it, so how can you miss it??
I miss my d-pad. Try using the HD to go to Call History and view the contact details of the third caller down. You can't! No Way to move down. If you touch the contact, it calls him!!
Working fine here.....
Try finding a contact with the last name that begins with 'M' when you have 100+ contacts who begin with 'M' and the one you want is in the middle of the list. Oh, "just start typing part of the name" you might say. I DON'T WANT TO!! I'm using one hand. The only way is 'flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking' 'flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking'.
You've heard of "tennis elbow", now there's "flick thumb". What a pain!
Don´t quite understand the problem.....
And the soft touch buttons. USELESS!!!! First of all, forget the third one, the 'back arrow'. Does anyone use it? I don't. USELESS.
Use AEButton Plus and assign any functions you like....
Now, try answering a call while the HD it in it's protective sleeve. While you're trying to slide the damn thing out, you almost inevidibly "answer" or "ignore" by accidentally pressing one of the soft buttons!! USELESS!
Agreed.....that´s why I never used the pouch...
Now try putting the HD in your pocket or in the center console in your car. You will soon start hearing.....blip-blip-blip-blip-blip....... That's the soft keys being pressed accidentally.......Now look at the phone, it's frozen with just a start button.
Can´t duplicate....

The Bug is not the device but rather the User...in this case

I was very concerned when I saw this thread as I will finally get my HD tomorrow. All the complaints made seem to be a user problem, I was able to do everything he couldn't do on my Diamond just using the screen, so I assume that that would be exactly the same as the HD.
I think everyone on these forums understands that most WM phones aren't the best out of the box but with tweaking the phones are made into great devices that are really interesting and are never boring because you can change so much.
If you want a device that just works with minimal functions so you don't get upset or have brain overload, the iphone is a great peace of hardware but WM has so much more to offer if you are willing to tweak and play around abit.
I think instead of posting "I hate the HD", it would be more appropriate to post.... "I need some help with some functions" and with the wealth of knowledge here you will get some answers very quick and not give people like me heart attacks reading your misleading posts.

seal said:
I think everyone on these forums understands that most WM phones aren't the best out of the box but with tweaking the phones are made into great devices that are really interesting and are never boring because you can change so much.
If you want a device that just works with minimal functions so you don't get upset or have brain overload, the iphone is a great peace of hardware but WM has so much more to offer if you are willing to tweak and play around abit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldnt say iphone was a great piece of hardware, but it is miles better for usability...
my hd is a hardware investment till the chaps on this forum make it awesome

All the other points has been covered... So:
I miss my d-pad. Try using the HD to go to Call History and view the contact details of the third caller down. You can't! No Way to move down. If you touch the contact, it calls him!!
-> Flick
Try finding a contact with the last name that begins with 'M' when you have 100+ contacts who begin with 'M' and the one you want is in the middle of the list. Oh, "just start typing part of the name" you might say. I DON'T WANT TO!! I'm using one hand. The only way is 'flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking'.
You've heard of "tennis elbow", now there's "flick thumb". What a pain!
-> Basically, i never used the contacts list . Always use the dial key, bring up the keypad, and use smart dialing - much much faster. and yes, its 1 hand operation. You probably not aware of this obvious function? E.g. if you want to call John, type in your keypad 5606 . In the contacts list, There's a alphabet along the screen... touch letter M and it brings u to the M part of your contacts list... i dont think any of us have less than 100 contacts in our phone .
All these are purely your problem for not learning how to use it. not the phone's problem.
The Touch HD surely has flaws, like any other phone, but all of your problems can be avoid by learning how to use it.

Hey, for 100 usd I will be the sucker who buys it..

I could go line by line and combat everything this member says is "wrong" with the HD but I wont. All i can say is i am just not hving the problems he describes None of them with maybe the exception of I simply just dont use the camera. I use my real camera for pic taking

PelloG said:
The Bug is not the device but rather the User...in this case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^
what he said.

well....
i would give you 101.00 USD for this phone.....

if you are not able to swim,
the reason is allways the bathing suit

jojothedogfacedboy said:
I miss my Trinity.
.........Glad I never sold my P3600. Will be going back to my old tried and true friend today. I flashed my Trinity to WM6.1, and it's GREAT!!!
Hope I can find a sucker to buy the HD before everyone starts realizing it sucks.
Thanks for listening!
-JoJo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... glad I haven't sold my stonewheel cart... I truly hate my Porsche Boxter..
Common man,
=========
Saar

jojothedogfacedboy said:
I miss my Trinity..
...
Yes, the HD has more memory, huge screen, better camera (although annoying, and who REALLY uses the camera on their phone for 'real' pictures), ..... wait, what more? For me, nothing.
I miss my d-pad.
....
Oh, "just start typing part of the name" you might say. I DON'T WANT TO!!
...
And the soft touch buttons. USELESS!!!! First of all, forget the third one, the 'back arrow'. Does anyone use it? I don't. USELESS.
...
Now, try answering a call while the HD it in it's protective sleeve. While you're trying to slide the damn thing out, you almost inevidibly "answer" or "ignore" by accidentally pressing one of the soft buttons!! USELESS!
Now try putting the HD in your pocket or in the center console in your car. You will soon start hearing.....blip-blip-blip-blip-blip....... That's the soft keys being pressed accidentally.......Now look at the phone, it's frozen with just a start button.
..and and and......
I can go on, but this phone is hard to handle, very "touchy" and just a general PAIN IN THE A$$ to use, not to mention expensive as H3LL!!!
....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Love this one: "I DON'T WANT TO!!" - I have a picture in my head of an angry little man dancing around a fire
Yes, I liked my PALM III very much but i came over it. Yes I understand "I DON'T WANT TO!!"
Not once you had a good point. Not once! You should have found one by accident.

The one thing I miss is the roller-wheel of my hermes. But it sounds like I could remap the volume rocker to do something similar, anyone tried this?

I've never used a full touch screen phone before, so like a cautious person I went in to the Orange shop and asked for a demo, which they were happy to give, and realised it wasn't all that daunting. A number of the annoyances with it so far are thanks to the not-so-touch-friendly Winmo 6.1, when someone cracks Android for this thing (apparently the Touch HD will be the new T-Mobile G2 according to the rumour mill) I'll be more than happy to try it out, plus the modding community will fix it up with their godlike skills, I'm just glad I found these forums!

Objective view, please...
I think most people here did not get the points raised here or have not been objective in their response (it is obvious they are product of their ne gadget); the phone as Windows Mobile is not per se user-friendly. The interface incorporated by HTC is not perfect. The hardware is therefore inadequate since it cannot be complemented by a good piece of software .
HTC has effectively delivered this phone in the same manner as it has done with other previouus devices (albeit a modified soft keyboard) with keypad. Even the TF3D for a WVGA screen, there is not difference to VGA devices, only larger icon and the Stock tab!
Excessive tweaking of the device is not always a good solution as it impacts other areas of the device.
Therefore stating all this is down to user is a best an over statement.
With all this feedback I wonder how HTC development team will feel! I for one do not complaint for the issues raised but admit they are serious problem. I can recall not being able to open the battery cover and having to refer to the manual, still it will not open. Only after several attempts the process became easier.
The iPhone is not always a valid alterative either, since many people wish to have applications that are not designed for this platform, such as any device car navigation program. This is particularly true in this case, as the poster clearly stated his background!
Personally, I must say my main decision for purchasing the BlackStone was merely for the screen size, having used the Universal for over year and then going down to Polaris (screen size wise), and with no sign of the Omni, I was “forced” again to a half solution. Any other aspect of the device was secondary in importance…

Ha, ha, ha...
Ha, ha, ha... thanx for the laugh, angry man
All new gadgets takes some getting use to... The HD i no exeption, especially when you cant use the software your used to because of the screen.
I love my HD though..

What a sound response carla!
carola said:
I think most people here did not get the points raised here or have not been objective in their response (it is obvious they are product of their ne gadget); the phone as Windows Mobile is not per se user-friendly. The interface incorporated by HTC is not perfect. The hardware is therefore inadequate since it cannot be complemented by a good piece of software .
HTC has effectively delivered this phone in the same manner as it has done with other previouus devices (albeit a modified soft keyboard) with keypad. Even the TF3D for a WVGA screen, there is not difference to VGA devices, only larger icon and the Stock tab!
Excessive tweaking of the device is not always a good solution as it impacts other areas of the device.
Therefore stating all this is down to user is a best an over statement.
With all this feedback I wonder how HTC development team will feel! I for one do not complaint for the issues raised but admit they are serious problem. I can recall not being able to open the battery cover and having to refer to the manual, still it will not open. Only after several attempts the process became easier.
The iPhone is not always a valid alterative either, since many people wish to have applications that are not designed for this platform, such as any device car navigation program. This is particularly true in this case, as the poster clearly stated his background!
Personally, I must say my main decision for purchasing the BlackStone was merely for the screen size, having used the Universal for over year and then going down to Polaris (screen size wise), and with no sign of the Omni, I was “forced” again to a half solution. Any other aspect of the device was secondary in importance…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been quite concerned about HD since I ordered it, and then once I got it (overpriced on HTC distribution orders to retail stores), etc. And finally with many "small" issues I wrote in other threads.
So I fully understand the feelings of angry users.
Has anybody noticed we, (concernerd users) are greatly defined by our previous machine?
It has come to my attention through this and other forums, that ex-TRINITY users are prone to be "in love" with it and not very pleased with HD.
I think this is really somthing to be investigated.
Finally, toying around in a phone store with the machine (if you have had the chance) is not enough to put all the blame in the "unconscious" buyer, it's simply not fair in todays e-shopping.
HTC did a very poor job putting the HD in the market for Christmas time, hope it will get fixed over the time, but i'm still very upset with HTC way of launching new devices.

I won't address all the issues, because other people already have, and because it really just sounds like the problem is more with what YOU like and don't like - and not with the phone. Either you are used to a certain way and you don't really want to change or you are not aware of how you can do things differently to better use the phone. In any case, I do respect your opinion and you have every right to express those thoughts here. Okay, so here are a couple of thoughts from my side.
jojothedogfacedboy said:
who REALLY uses the camera on their phone for 'real' pictures), ..... wait, what more? For me, nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera is descent - not excellent - but descent. The lack of flash is a known downfall. However, keep in mind that no phone out there will replace the quality of an actual camera. The camera feature on the phone is an extra commodity for those moments when you don't want to take a real camera with you or for those good times, when you are hanging out with friends and you don't need to shoot the greatest quality pictures. No camera phone is meant to be used as your main camera for vacation shots etc.
I miss my d-pad. Try using the HD to go to Call History and view the contact details of the third caller down. You can't! No Way to move down. If you touch the contact, it calls him!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you don't understand how this feature works. On my HD, if I tap once on a number in the call history list, it DOES NOT call right away, but instead it brings up the call history for that caller alone. Then:
If the caller is in my contacts list, I see the name at the top and possibly a picture (if I added one). Below this, it shows me the call history.
If I tap on the name/picture, it pulls up a list of numbers and email addresses for that contact. If I once again tap on the name/picture, it brings me to that listing so I can edit the contact's information. I can always cancel by pressing menu at the bottom.
If I tap on a given missed call itself, it will call that number. The nice thing is that if that person called me once from their home and another time from their mobile, I can see that here and I can choose which number to call back.
If the caller is NOT in my contacts list, then I simply see "unknown" at the top and then the number that called below that (provided that person does not have their number blocked from callerID). If I tap on the number, it will call that person. If I tap on "unknown", I will eventually end up on my contacts list, where I can assign that number to a contact or I can create a new contact with that number.
I do have to admit, that it has happened a few times, that a contact calls me and in the call history list, I only see the number as if it were an unknown person. In that case, I have assigned that number to the contact and it overrides the number I already had. I don't know why that is. Maybe because some numbers I have entered as 0177-555-5555 and others as +491775555555 (in Germany).
Anyone know if that makes a difference? It seems that sometimes it does and other times it doesn't.
Try finding a contact with the last name that begins with 'M' when you have 100+ contacts who begin with 'M' and the one you want is in the middle of the list. Oh, "just start typing part of the name" you might say. I DON'T WANT TO!! I'm using one hand. The only way is 'flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking''flicking'.
You've heard of "tennis elbow", now there's "flick thumb". What a pain!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh?? Flicking is A LOT faster than pressing a D-pad arrow 80 times to get to your contact. You could also press the M or N on the alphabest list on the right. That way, you'll either see the beginning of the M's or the end of the M's and you can flick from there. Seriously - flicking goes really fast. And typing the first two letters into the name box is NOT that bad. You see, the possibilities here are endless!
Now try putting the HD in your pocket or in the center console in your car. You will soon start hearing.....blip-blip-blip-blip-blip....... That's the soft keys being pressed accidentally.......Now look at the phone, it's frozen with just a start button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A simple press of the power button locks your phone - and guess what..... no more blip-blip-blip-blip-blip.
Now simply press the power button again and you can blip-blip-blip all you want.
So, there now - you must certainly LOVE your HD now, right?

[APP] DiamondFlute & The New SpaceInvaders. Developers, look here!

Shouldn't this be able to get "ported" to our Diamond?
iPhone Ocarina
So yeah, we've come up with 2 great application/game ideas;
1. The DiamondFlute "one finger on the screen, pressing to any note; and the other finger is turning around the D-PAD and changing the sound like a trombone!! so not discrete but continous sound change like a theremin!! (pls search for what a theremin is)
ofcourse microfone is also the starting point of workflow!!"
2. The New SpaceInvaders "a shooter where there come stuff towards you, while you blow you shoot and then you aim by using the accelerometer; tilting the phone either left or right."
(see attached image of how I imagine it to look like)

multitouch ==> might be a problem for our Diamond

oh right, totally forgot about that. Still, would be cool if someone could do an app that uses the microphone as the iPhone Ocarina does.

MisterSosa said:
multitouch ==> might be a problem for our Diamond
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone developed a program that uses the cap pad/screen combo? If you were able to assign a virtual mouse using the cap pad and have the other screen element (note) activated by touch, you could have "two" keys to play... Kind of a cheesy method, but you get the point.

norkoastal said:
Has anyone developed a program that uses the cap pad/screen combo? If you were able to assign a virtual mouse using the cap pad and have the other screen element (note) activated by touch, you could have "two" keys to play... Kind of a cheesy method, but you get the point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! I was just thinking the same thing! Like use the capactive d-pad + touch screen. Lol.

capacitve pad is a reosta!!! So here is the idea!!
one finger on the screen, pressing to any note; and the other finger is turning around the D-PAD and changing the sound like a trombone!! so not discrete but continous sound change like a theremin!! (pls search for what a theremin is)
ofcourse microfone is also the starting point of workflow!!
Good idea but who will do this! ) the guys doing for iphone earn quite good money, but for wm, that's not the way so...

emre_aachen said:
capacitve pad is a reosta!!! So here is the idea!!
one finger on the screen, pressing to any note; and the other finger is turning around the D-PAD and changing the sound like a trombone!! so not discrete but continous sound change like a theremin!! (pls search for what a theremin is)
ofcourse microfone is also the starting point of workflow!!
Good idea but who will do this! ) the guys doing for iphone earn quite good money, but for wm, that's not the way so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds awesome and actually doable.

emre_aachen said:
capacitve pad is a reosta!!! So here is the idea!!
one finger on the screen, pressing to any note; and the other finger is turning around the D-PAD and changing the sound like a trombone!! so not discrete but continous sound change like a theremin!! (pls search for what a theremin is)
ofcourse microfone is also the starting point of workflow!!
Good idea but who will do this! ) the guys doing for iphone earn quite good money, but for wm, that's not the way so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you mean like a portamento/glide/slide?

Actually, I think more games and fun apps can be made with the "microphone-blow" feature. For example a space-invader like game where you accelerate by blowing. Or a shooter where there come stuff towards you, while you blow you shoot and then you aim by using the accelerometer. (Now I really want the last example I came up with, would be pretty cool).
I'll make a concept art-image for it tonight so you'll see what I mean and if some developer happens to read this.

I thought the Diamond did have multi-touch support, its just not enabled because Apple will freak out, you know, because they own everything to do with it.....
Sama with the G1

chumbagen said:
I thought the Diamond did have multi-touch support, its just not enabled because Apple will freak out, you know, because they own everything to do with it.....
Sama with the G1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
diamond has panel multi-touch not screen multi-touch
see this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hljoYtITLJY

JesperO said:
Actually, I think more games and fun apps can be made with the "microphone-blow" feature. For example a space-invader like game where you accelerate by blowing. Or a shooter where there come stuff towards you, while you blow you shoot and then you aim by using the accelerometer. (Now I really want the last example I came up with, would be pretty cool).
I'll make a concept art-image for it tonight so you'll see what I mean and if some developer happens to read this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the image if anyone's interrested. The purple thingies are the bad guys and you shoot those white rings. You aim by tilting the phone either left or right (the black ring aint moving I imagine it to be more like gravity like when you aim)and shoot by blowing into the microphone (I guess it's the microphone they use in the iPhone Ocarina?).
Does this sound appealing?

Use X1's Optical Pad as On Screen Mouse!!

Hi,
i found this in another thread, i was just wondering whether any devlopers would be able to use this file and adapt it to work with the x1? I would do it myself but im useless at all this stuff... (and plus i dont know how.)
The file can be found through this link-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=440141&highlight=screen+sensitivity&page=2

What good would it do you to have a mouse pointer on the X1 screen? If the OS isn't optimized for it, there'll be no real benefit.
I used the demo of True Connect for a while which lets you move your PC mouse off of the screen onto the X1 screen. Very slick, but ultimately just a novelty because it didn't add any useful functionality to the X1. If they added drag and drop they would be on to something.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, I think the only reason why this hasn't been done already is because on the driver side the optical pad output is digital, eg: just 4 directions, and not coordinate output, like say a mouse.

samsung omnia has this option, (change from 4 way scrolling to a mouse).
Would be great to have this on the Xperia

wow my first post xD
@korval
i have to correct you....
a standard PC mouse with an oldschool trackball has also only 2 axis to get 4 directions but you can move the pointet over the screen like you want....
jo do not need more than this two axis but the only thing is to detect both of them simultaniously......
and i Love the pointer on Omnia but i dint like the Omnia itselve...... its only my second "emergency" device
ah and sry für bad english im a german one xD

On Screen Mouse
I'd be keen for this as well - it would be a nice cool UI feature.
What is really annoying (and spose off topic), the use of the optical pad doesn't register as a button/screen press, so the password lock screen comes up while you are using the optical pad to scroll!
(i was forced to set a longer timeout.. ah well, can't have everything secure..)

the_black_dragon said:
wow my first post xD
@korval
i have to correct you....
a standard PC mouse with an oldschool trackball has also only 2 axis to get 4 directions but you can move the pointet over the screen like you want....
jo do not need more than this two axis but the only thing is to detect both of them simultaniously......
and i Love the pointer on Omnia but i dint like the Omnia itselve...... its only my second "emergency" device
ah and sry für bad english im a german one xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yip, thats what I meant! I think you explained it a bit better than I did.

And now i will quote here what ive also written in another thread for this:
I will donate 50€ for the one who do this that its working like on my Omnia.....
this is a promise!!!!!!
would anyone use a laptop touchpad only like arrow keys instead of a mouse pointer??? NO!!!!
Greetz

i dont get it.
why not use the touch screen?
what reasons would u need this for?

the reason is that i want to use my device some times (if im on the walk) with only one handy.... also to use the browser......
the TF3D and spb etc is good to handle in one hand but not the browser like obera and opera mini..... also the small checkboxex in some programs are too small.....
on omnia i never have to use the stylus and i want to have this feature on my X1 because it MUST be possible!!!!!!

the_black_dragon said:
the reason is that i want to use my device some times (if im on the walk) with only one handy.... also to use the browser......
the TF3D and spb etc is good to handle in one hand but not the browser like obera and opera mini..... also the small checkboxex in some programs are too small.....
on omnia i never have to use the stylus and i want to have this feature on my X1 because it MUST be possible!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100%

Opera Mobile 10 has this built-in.

r3bel said:
Opera Mobile 10 has this built-in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah but it is too slowwwww

I dont understand some people here. Why are certain users against an additional input method? Isnt it a fact that everything that broadens the spectrum of available possibilities is generally a good thing? Have we fallen under Apple philosophy that condemns options that were not intended by the developer of the phone?
For me its clear that I would highly appreciate any additional way to control my device, especially a mouse pointer since this could replace the stylus when on the move. Even the small checkboxes would not force me to pull out the stylus anymore. How can anybody not support this? I dont get it. Isnt WM about freedom of choice?

I dont think anyone is against it, its just any developers who have read this dont think its important enough at the moment to spend time on, especially if they have other ongoing projects. But feel free to develop it yourself, no one will criticise you for making it, and if you do make it I am sure plenty of people will use it. No one here is Steve Jobs. lol.

korval said:
I agree 100%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need a mouse smooth cursor llike the PC mouse for X1.tks!!!

What is WMob like without a stylus/direction pad?

i'm dying to get the HD2, but I've never yet had a phone that didn't have either a jog dial / rollerball / direction pad or some way of moving around the screen without just using touch...
you Blackstone owners are the guys in the know - i guess you've had the HD for a year or so - how do you find it? Do you wish you had a hardwarde key to scroll around the screen while browing etc? It always struck me that without a direction control a touch screen definitely became a two-handed device whereas with a jog-dial or similar one is enough for most things.
be great to hear some views - Thanks!

hey... I thought I will miss the direction pad when i first went for the HD, but I didnt... (maybe the first week only when I was allready used to use the D-pad on my Polaris)..
As far as the stylus is concerned, I hardly use it as well... I mean i use it only when i text somebody, simply because i want to text faster without pressing the wrong letters, but with a bigger display on the HD2 I can't see this being a problem... I don't text a lot so its not a problem for me... To be honest I used it a lot more on my Polaris on the smaller display...
Now you know is down to the individual and what you use on a daily basis... WM6.5 is created as such you will not need the stylus a lot... As for browsing I use it one handed, scrolling with my thumb.
take care

wilbur said:
i'm dying to get the HD2, but I've never yet had a phone that didn't have either a jog dial / rollerball / direction pad or some way of moving around the screen without just using touch...
you Blackstone owners are the guys in the know - i guess you've had the HD for a year or so - how do you find it? Do you wish you had a hardwarde key to scroll around the screen while browing etc? It always struck me that without a direction control a touch screen definitely became a two-handed device whereas with a jog-dial or similar one is enough for most things.
be great to hear some views - Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think most people would agree with me and state they wished the HD had a d-pad, however with the latest roms available and some extra apps installed like AEBPlus (for directional up & down) you can manage without a d-pad or stylus for everyday use. Unfortunately when it comes to games you are very limited and without this excellent sites dev's most games would be useless for the HD. Thankfully if you search the apps, software & games forums you should be able to find a d-pad usable for games.
I was however a little disappointed that the HD2 doesn't have a d-pad (or drivers) as I thought HTC may have learnt, obviously not

leftkats said:
WM6.5 is created as such you will not need the stylus a lot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, but with the capacitive screen of the HD2, you can't use a stylus at all,so not needing it much is still a big problem. This is paticularly true if you use Office mobile a lot like I do or want to accurately cut and copy text.

Moandal said:
That's true, but with the capacitive screen of the HD2, you can't use a stylus at all,so not needing it much is still a big problem. This is paticularly true if you use Office mobile a lot like I do or want to accurately cut and copy text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yes... I forgot the cut and paste thing... I use my stylus for that as well... I am sure I will figure out something else to mask the problem...

leftkats said:
oh yes... I forgot the cut and paste thing... I use my stylus for that as well... I am sure I will figure out something else to mask the problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does cut&paste have to do with the stylus? Is there some feature I don't know of?
Fallen Spartan said:
Think most people would agree with me and state they wished the HD had a d-pad, however with the latest roms available and some extra apps installed like AEBPlus (for directional up & down) you can manage without a d-pad or stylus for everyday use. Unfortunately when it comes to games you are very limited and without this excellent sites dev's most games would be useless for the HD. Thankfully if you search the apps, software & games forums you should be able to find a d-pad usable for games.
I was however a little disappointed that the HD2 doesn't have a d-pad (or drivers) as I thought HTC may have learnt, obviously not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well - I don't agree at all! Screen size is everything - and if the HD2 had a DPAD, the screen would have to be smaller... I can't think of a single situation where I would need a DPAD! What do you need it for?
And concerning the OP: I use the device with one hand most of the time as well... When texting, I can use my thumb (or both thumbs if I want to type faster) without problems. The same applies to scrolling. The only problem I have is with older WM builds with the start menu icon in the top left corner - it's hard to stretch the thumb all the way across the screen - but with newer builds (6.5.1) the start menu has moved to the bottom. So that problem is going to be taken care of!

MAMeingast said:
What does cut&paste have to do with the stylus? Is there some feature I don't know of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is much easier to select text with your stylus in order to cut or copy text. It is more precise, as mentioned on an earlier post.

MAMeingast said:
Well - I don't agree at all! Screen size is everything - and if the HD2 had a DPAD, the screen would have to be smaller... I can't think of a single situation where I would need a DPAD! What do you need it for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had read my post I was hinting at a d-pad for gaming.......everyday use I don't need it, but for gaming, thats a different matter for a lot of people.

An optical pad is not that big. No need to cut the screen size.
The difference is such like hard keyboard and touch keyboard.
quite some people cannot live without a hard keyboard.

leftkats said:
It is much easier to select text with your stylus in order to cut or copy text. It is more precise, as mentioned on an earlier post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah - ok! I thought there was some special way to copy and paste using the stylus. Yes: That's very true. Text selection is alot easier with the stylus. That would be an issue they'd have to address on the HD2. Isn't there some zoom & select feature on the iphone? That would make alot of sense to me...
Fallen Spartan said:
If you had read my post I was hinting at a d-pad for gaming.......everyday use I don't need it, but for gaming, thats a different matter for a lot of people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok - some games do require a DPAD. But many new games will not, specifically because devices like the HD and the HD2 do not have one. Also, as I've said: screen size is everything to me. I don't really care for games (there are enough good games working without a DPAD) and prefer a bigger screen. And that was my point: Your post began with the sentence "Think most people would agree with me and state they wished the HD had a d-pad" and I just wanted to reply: I don't!

I only use the stylus when I play solitaire and surf the web; clicking links could be quite an annoyance without a stylus.

MAMeingast said:
Ok - some games do require a DPAD. But many new games will not, specifically because devices like the HD and the HD2 do not have one. Also, as I've said: screen size is everything to me. I don't really care for games (there are enough good games working without a DPAD) and prefer a bigger screen. And that was my point: Your post began with the sentence "Think most people would agree with me and state they wished the HD had a d-pad" and I just wanted to reply: I don't!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No probs, but I actually agree with you. I don't really use the stylus at all any more and I'm not into gaming that much either, but there has been a lot of development in the software forum for a d-pad for games not specifically designed for the HD so there is still a demand for a d-pad.

Toss3 said:
I only use the stylus when I play solitaire and surf the web; clicking links could be quite an annoyance without a stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think this is were some of the improvements in the HD may really shine with the new capacitive screen. Hopefully this will make browsing more like the iphone experience...or hopefully better again. Only time will tell.

MAMeingast said:
Ah - ok! I thought there was some special way to copy and paste using the stylus. Yes: That's very true. Text selection is alot easier with the stylus. That would be an issue they'd have to address on the HD2. Isn't there some zoom & select feature on the iphone? That would make alot of sense to me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the zoom thing.. I saw a video the other day where igo8 was running on HD2, and the guy would pitch and zoom on the map, but it seemed as the whole program was zoomed in, not just the map. If this is true and it can be achieved in other programs then selecting text won't be (that much of) a problem...

IMHO, having no D-pad is a major pain, particularly with single handed contact's selection and controlling music FF,play,pause,skip without having to pull it out of your pocket, turn the screen on and do it there.....it really is such a backward's step for what I've just said, its not even debatable in my eye's
Have tried a couple of games with the onscreen controls briefly and thats as much as I ever want to try it....I thought it was useless.....missing D-pad's is one of the biggest backward's step's with most newer model's for me.
Stylus is my reason for using WM, if it didn't have it, I wouldn't use it, high res screen's with small text and icon's, precision, clean screen, faster typing [for me]...stylus is windows mobile imo, although the shell's and interface add on's have made them much more useful without a stylus...what's the point, might as well buy one of the other three major mobile OS's as you lose the benefit's of point precision combined with dense data and high resolution.
The stylus is less of a pain on the diamond and HD because pulling it out also turn's the device on, although I would prefer it top mounted than the bottom.
My 2 cent's anyway.

Regarding text selection on the HD2:
http://pocketnow.com/software-1/selecting-text-on-the-htc-hd2

in that video he says that new text selection functionality is only available in the HTC Sense part of the UI, and not in the basic Windows Mobile bits... which is a shame.
The main use of a direction pad / rollerball for me is selecting links while browsing, esp where there is a long vertical list of links to chose from - using my G1 if i don't use the rollerball I am always hitting the wrong one (and I don't want to zoom in just to select a link!).
Having switched to Android, the only reason I feel like giving WMob another go is the specs on this thing - primarily the RAM, which is just awesome. I guess that given that most of the new ultra-high-end android devices that I am chosing between are similar in not having any other form of input other than the screen (htc rachel, acer liquid etc) I guess it shouldn't alter my choice much.
I think the real deciding factor is that the HD2 is going to be the first one that is actually going to make it to the market and the fact that i am eligable for an upgrade is burning a hole in my pocket!