if you set your screen to landscape prior to sliding out the keyboard, and then you slide out the keyboard, then put it back in, does your screen return to portrait mode (even though it was set to landscape prior to sliding out or sliding in the keyboard)?
i hope not.
Your hope is a dream. Its'return to portrait.
that's idiotic!
indeed.. its stupid!
i have feeling that some monkeys are making those thing and programing...
Hi, after loving my Hermes for 2 years and talking myself out of upgrading to the Kaiser, Diamond, and Touch Pro as they just weren't quite "perfect" I think I have found my next device. The big screen and thinness are HUGE for me, and it seems that people are having no troubles running older apps with the funky screen rez. However I am really hesitant to give up a hardware keyboard....my question is two-fold...when rotated to landscape mode does the on-screen keyboard also rotate and enlarge so that you could use two thumbs to type with it? and is this device physically capable of multi-touch as with the Touch Pro and we are just waiting for XDA devs to write applications that unleash it? Multit-touch on devices this small is pure gimmick in every aspect EXCEPT on-screen keyboards (i.e. holding the shift key). I am willing to sacrifice some typing speed for the thinner waistline but don't want to go back to pecking with the stylus...
I've watched a ton of youtube video reviews but have yet to see anyone enter text in landscape mode or play video for that matter...any info on these questions from HD owners is GREATLY appreciated...thanks!!
There is no Multi-Touch screen in Touch HD...
And I think the standard sms application does not allow to rotate keyboard while writing text...May be some 3rd party software does it or some tweaks...
Even if everyone allready should know this: Get Gyrator 2 or GSEN
and you can rotate the screen at any time. Just search for it here on the boards.
I don't understand for what you would need a multitouch screen for typing. as you are only pushing one letter at a time anyway. I have got an LG Viewty now, and i can type extremely fast in landscape mode and multitouch wouldn't change a thing. Every normal phone keyboard is made so, that pushing shift will automatically be applied to the next letter/key you press. Or you can also switch between shift always on.
So, what is the best of that apps??
Gsen I know because I tried on my touch pro, but it didn't work 100%. Gyrator works best??
Guys - great information in the Blackstone forum - wow! I have been following this device for a while, and may want to take the plunge on it (after being disappointed with the Diamond and the Fuze). But - I really need to know how the typing is on this thing? I have read some negative and positive comments on this and other Forums, and I would love to get some opinions. I am a user of Nokia, BlackBerry and the iPhone (cell-phone crack addict), and even though I don't type a book on my phone each day, I do answer about 30 texts and 20 emails per day (1 to 3 sentence responses), and I want to make sure I will not struggle with the typing on this box. I crank on my various Nokia's and my iPhone (BlackBerry goes without saying) - and I don't want to slow down drastically with this device.
Could anyone give me some "real world" experience? I could see myself using the keyboard in both Portrait and Landscape mode - depending on what I was doing at the time.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Adam
I find it remarkably well, after getting used to typing instead of writing (I come from PalmOS). Still, my advice is go to a phone shop and try for yourself to see if your fingers aren't too fat
But at least allow for the fact that the first time typing on a touchscreen is going to feel wierd and that you will improve.
I find it really good (coming from the HTC Touch which was sooo small and a pain even when using the stylus). Typing fast its fairly accurate and although you can tweak it to write in landscape I generally type in portrait. I have spent a fair amount of time with the iphone too and although not directly comparative it really is a fairly close call.
(oh and i have fat fingers )
I have had my HD for about 3 weeks now. I don't type that often on it, but I can tell I am getting better. I usually make about one mistake per sentence, but I must say, that I type somewhat slow to avoid making mistakes.
I also see a pattern of mistakes, that show I probably need to practice accuracy with my fingers. For example I often type: W instead of E, S instead of A, X instead of C. All these are left hand keys, so I guess my right hand is better. My right hand sometimes types the space bar instead of B or N in portrait mode.
In landscape mode I make fewer mistakes. However, you will need third-party software to rotate the keyboard in messaging applications.
One BIG annoying thing in landscape mode when you are writing - say, a text message - is that the "Send" button is directly below the "z" and "x" keys (or Y and X in German keyboard). It has happened to me that I want to type one of those letters and I accidentally hit Send - and away goes the unfinished message!! This does not happen in portrait mode because there are other keys (CapsLock, D-pad etc) above the Send button.
This is my first touch-screen phone, so I can't compare it to others.
All in all, I am pleased with the keyboard, and I can see that I am improving. That leads me to believe that it is really just a matter of practice. But, for you it might be different since you are used to other phones. It would be best if you can test one at a store (unless you live in the U.S.).
Here are 2 youtube videos with reviews on the HD keyboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh7YJ-upe1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st7ivblVZwY
I came from the Touch (Elf) to the HD. The extra space on the screen means typing with the full Qwerty keyboard is much easier with fingers. I'm quicker with my finger tip than I am with the stylus, whereas the opposite was true with the Elf. I usually use the portrait screen mode and I like the layout of the keyboard in this mode.
On my Elf I installed PocketCM Keyboard which had the auto-correct feature similar to the keyboard of the iPhone. I miss this feature with my HD's keyboard although I'm making fewer mistakes even without this. The auto-correct meant that I could even type one-handed on the Elf but the bigger screen on the HD makes one-handed typing difficult.
But I agree that you should try the keyboard yourself before deciding.
You've got a fair few different styles with third aprty keyboards - something feature packed like touchpal (check youtube for examples), or resco/spb. Should be possible to customise it to suit your preferences.
Personally I like landscape mode, bashing away with both thumbs. The huge screen means the key sizes are quite practical.
Terrific feedback everyone - thanks! I saw a few videos just now, and it appears that you can crank with T9 or mini-QWERTY pretty well, but the full QWERTY in portrait looked a bit harder to use....maybe in Landscape it will be a bit easier?
No Mobile shops near me on Long Island, NY to test this out in-person, so I'm going to have to "wing it" and place the order if I decide on the HD.
Cheers.
I am having some problems with it because I come from a QVGA 2.8" and the WVGA 3.8" is really huge but considering that you have used an iPhone, the transition should be a lot smoother for you.
I am definitely getting the hang of it and improving by the day so I would say that typing is really great on it.
I actually switch a lot between built-in compact and full qwerty boards and leave T9 off. Anybody actually use any of the other built-ins, like the full keyboard etc?
adamzeit said:
....maybe in Landscape it will be a bit easier?
No Mobile shops near me on Long Island, NY to test this out in-person, so I'm going to have to "wing it" and place the order if I decide on the HD.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. yes, landscape is easier (except for the send button issue I mentioned)
2. If you wing it - I don't think you'll be disappointed. Especially if you have been looking into it and know the pros and cons discussed in this forum. (Mostly pros)
One minor glitch I found using qwerty keyboard in landscape (using Gyrator2) is the displacement of the dot with the comma, so when you want to type one you have to click on the other and viceversa. This doesn't happen in portrait
Great - feedback - thanks for the quick replies everyone. I decided to indeed "wing it" - and I should have this bad-boy in my hands tomorrow morning!
I'll continue scrolling through the WiKi and such, but besides installing Gyrator2, another other suggestions for my "out of the box" approach?
Thanks!
I used to love the physical keyboard on the TyTn II (Kaiser) I had as it was the closest thing to a full size qwerty keyboard. Made typing a joy. I was weary to abandon a keyboard for strictly virtual keyboard. So I went to the local shop, tried typing and did not like it. I decided to wait till the HD Pro comes (or similar) but that beautifully large, high resolution screen kept bringing me back. I then decided to try it in landscape mode. I sadly found out that HTC did not provide that option, which lead me to this very wonderful forum for help. I found out that you could edit the registry to bring the option of rotating to landscape. I did that at the shop and then unfortunately found out the next fall, it would not remain in landscape because of TF3D home screen and the dialer. I did not hesitate about turning off TF3d because I u se SPB apps (almost all of them collectively on the home screen) but the dialer menu/screen , when accessed - to dial a number for example, would retard the screen back to portrait which made owning it frustrating. Thats till I found out that changing from the HTC dialer to the standard/default WM dialer would allow me to keep it in landscape. Apparently HTC designed thier dialer in portrait mode, which is restricted from rotating. I did eventually loose the HTC dialer (the WM dialer is not that nice) but the large screen, faster processor outweighed the dialer loss.
Typing in landscape mode using full qwerty keyboard is actually a bit easier but you have to get used to the fact that you will not get a physical response. You know , when you press the button and it goes back up. Other than this its not problem.
I do miss the shortcuts provided by the TyTn II keyboard. Like the Fn + ok turns on wifi, Fn+ -> key opens up the explorer window.
CorruptedSanity said:
Typing in landscape mode using full qwerty keyboard is actually a bit easier but you have to get used to the fact that you will not get a physical response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for "TouchResponse". This will make your phone vibrating by touching the screen.
johnpatcher said:
Look for "TouchResponse". This will make your phone vibrating by touching the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh My God man! I thank you infinitely!!!!!!!!!!
The little vibes gave me that "TyTn II keyboard" sensation I missed so much. Now I feel 100 times more comfortable looking at the text when typing rather watching whether I tapped the correct key on the keyboard.
Thanks to the generous creator of the app too.
The best part is that you can customize how intense the vibrations are.
Does "TouchResponse" make it vibrate only on the keyboard or does it vibrate in any and every application every time you touch the screen?
EDIT: By the way, can someone provide a link to TouchResponse. I can't seem to find it via search.
To have truly easy typing with your THUMB, use Tengo Thumb. It works like the T9 version of COMPACT QWERTY, except the keys are grouped into six areas instead of 12. Precision is not needed. When you need to type words not in the dictionary, use non-predictive typing with either finger nail or stylus to precisely touch the specific key within the large area.
Chris Cross said:
Does "TouchResponse" make it vibrate only on the keyboard or does it vibrate in any and every application every time you touch the screen?
EDIT: By the way, can someone provide a link to TouchResponse. I can't seem to find it via search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2008/12/12/touchresponse-022-vibrate-on-touch-for-windows-mobile.html
scroll down to the bottom.....
adamzeit said:
http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2008/12/12/touchresponse-022-vibrate-on-touch-for-windows-mobile.html
scroll down to the bottom.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A-ha!! Thank you!
I tried the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone before switching to the Touch HD using SPB keyboard - having come from Sony Ericsson P series phones before that.
With SPB keyboard I can honestly say that I make as few mistakes as I do when typing on my laptop QWERTY. It's terrific. And I don't mean the auto-correction feature a la iPhone. This just isn't necessary as my accuracy is first rate on the huge keyboard.
When I got the 'phone I immediatly downloaded gyrator to have access to a landscape keyboard but I really don't need it. My accuracy is spot on in portrait.
All:
I have been using Gyrator 2. So far so good. But if the keyboard doesn't increase in size when you rotate the screen I don't see a huge advantage other than reading text or email on wider screen.
With the iPhone, yes I said the bad word, when you rotate the screen your keyboard changes making it easier to type on. That's what I'm really looking for. Something that will change the keyboard to a more finger friendly keyboard when rotated to landscape. Anything out there that can do that?
Also, any way to shrink those huge black bars when you rotate the screen at the top and bottom? I was noticing the top title bar (black bar 1) and the bottom soft menu bar (black bar 2) are HUGE in landscape mode and take up way too much real estate. It would be nice if those screen disolved and only appeared if you tapped the header/footer in a screen. I hope that made sense. Anythign apps than can do that? Or am I wishing on star.
Make sure you're using the default HTC keyboard, not the WM original one. The HTC keyboard (called full QWERTY in the input picker) does change and fill the entire screen widthwise when the screen is rotated.
shueflie, I am. And you're right. It does fit the entire screen but for some reason it sure doesn't seem bigger. Maybe it's just me. I guess it has to be getting bigger...but for some reason it still seems like too many keys squeezed in.
Are there any replacement keyboards, say something like a standard letter only keyboard, and then you press something for numbers only, and then something for special characters only? My fingers are too big.
Try the phone keypad in portrait mode (either with or without T9) and see if that suits you better. There are other keyboards available but I haven't tired any of them
Will give it a shot. If you can direct me to a link with more keyboards I'd appreciate it, in the meantime I'll use the almighty search and see what I can dig up.
derrickonline said:
Will give it a shot. If you can direct me to a link with more keyboards I'd appreciate it, in the meantime I'll use the almighty search and see what I can dig up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plenty of keyboards out there. Do a quick search in Themes, Applications and Software and you'll find what your looking for!!!
EDIT:
May also want to check Wiki to ensure keyboard software works ok, Programs/Utilites & Games working on the Touch HD (1 - M) & Programs/Utilites working on the Touch HD (N - Z)
Wow an entire wiki, that's what I'm talkin' about. Thanks!
derrickonline said:
Wow an entire wiki, that's what I'm talkin' about. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all software is shown on these lists. Best option is to do a search for keyboard in Themes, Applications and Software.
If your unsure about anything, refer to this and it should answer most questions you have!
I come to you with the decision between a LG Quantum and the HTC Mozart .
The reason I am looking towards the Quantum more is I used to own a Jasjam and I LOVED the physical keyboard, however in all the reviews I've watched it seems WP7 isn't that friendly towards it.
For example, it doesn't seem many applications/home screen etc doesn't natively flick to Landscape, and it looks like most of the time I will be forced to use the on-screen keyboard.
Can anyone comment on this?
I love my keyboard on the quantum, at first I was annoyed about the screen not rotating for everything, but now I really don't need to have the physical keyboard out. The apps that use the keyboard will rotate, and the rest are easier to use in vertical mode anyways. You'll see.
I agree with hardcoreplur. I love this keyboard when needing to type more than a few words.
I agree with the above two. The only instance where I get a little annoyed is typing an app review in marketplace with the qwerty, as the screen doesn't rotate. Everything else is great.