Database Users

Advantage Keyboard.. your opinions please.

Hi all,
For some reason the search function is not working for me (xp/firefox 1.5) as it always returns null searches.
Anyway, apologies if this has been discussed already in detail...
I'm almost ready to go ahead and buy the Advantage having researched numerous reviews online.
Everyone is in agreement its a marvellous device, let down by one main aspect... the keyboard.
Many report that the keys have very limited tactile feedback and one reviewer commented that the keyboard felt very rubbery like the old spectrum keyboard, making it sluggish for typing on.
I would see this as being a pretty major drawback, effectively slowing productively on a regular basis.
I currently use a Nokia E61 for work, and, while it has a small thumboard, tactility is excellent and with some practice, its responsive and fast.
While the larger keyboard is welcome on the Advantage I would really like to hear users opinions and thoughts, good bad or indifferent, about the keyboard in daily use.
Thanks!

i think the keyboard is much better than reviewed all the time. it has no definite pressure point but still you only have to touch it a little bit so you don't really need the pressure point anyway. i haven't typed anything wrong yet. quite impressive.
but still i think that the athena itself has a far too deep (and bad) when the keyboard is attached, if you wanna type in bed f.e. it's hard to see the screen right and good.
so keyboard is really good, but angle between keyboard and display isn't good for use with both hands, in bed etc. (just on a high table).
sry, don't really know how to say it in english.

I'm still prefer the keyboard of Universal's.....and it turns out I carried the U1000 without the Keyboard 90% of time.
BR
Tommy

I too prefer the Universal keyboard compared to Advantage keyboard. Not only for the typing (little "click" with Universal, nothing with Advantage), but for the number of keys as well. In fact in Universal keyboard the number 1 to 0 are typed directly, instead in Advantage you need the function key before.
On Universal there are more symbols that availlable directly from the keyboard (with or without the function key).
But, considering all, I can give to my Advantage keyboard a rate of 6.5 (in a range from 1 to 10) and to Universal keyboard a rate of 8.

Can we all look into the possibility of using a bluetooth keyboard..I think it will b a very useful companion with Athena

Cheers guys. I'll probably end up using my Think Outside BT keyboard which has served me well over the past couple of years. It seems a waste to use it though when you have a magnetic keyboard which also doubles as a screen protector.. and its another thing to carry and have spare batteries for.. I hope they introduce a more tactile feedback into future revisions..
I don't think I'd mind the fact that the number keys are not on the top row. Its an inconvenience but means more room for qwerty (and I'm used to it from the E61 layout).
Speaking of room..
Advantage looks just a little too cramped for 2 handed typing effectively so are you guys holding it like a thumbboard or huntin'/peckin' with two fingers while it lays flat on a desk..?

it's very, very tough to hold it like thumbboard (as I said before) , so most of the time I use it while it lays flat on a desk (which should be high enough to see the whole screen while typing because of the bad angle).

I really dislike the keyboard, since it has absolutely no tactile feedback. It's very odd to type, and I make many errors. It was even nicer, and faster using the keyboard that came with my Cingular 8525, and I dislike Thumbboards. It does make a good stand when watching media, though!

I don't mind the keyboard for occasional use - you certainly wouldn't want to type an essay on it, but a quick e-mail, txt or even a forum post doesn't stress too much. Its easier than the soft keyboard on the screen anyway.
The bits that I don't like, are:- the telephone dial button is in the wrong place (top left) - I'll quite often start dialing someone, just because ive caught the button by accident as I'm holding the device up.
And sometimes it can get the caps lock stuck on, and I cant work out a consistent way of turning it off (usually a press of the dot, then the caps key does it, but not always).
Other than that, not too bad.

They keyboard sucks. The key spacing is all wrong. I continualy hit the wrong letter. For a good touch typist this is torture.
The lack of numbers it pathetic too. The universal fitted a considerably better keyboard into it.
The good thing? There is nothing to stop people making replacement keyboards!
I want a keyboard that works better as a screen protector, because if I dont use that stupid leather wallet, everytime I put it in my pocket, the keyboard slips off and scratches the screen itself.
Now, I look like something out of the 1980's with a huge leather filo-fax thing.
A good keyboard would be complete case, with flip up screen protector (or slide up) and a kb that flips around from the back (the contacts are wired such that its always connected when not totally flat on the back) meaning you can have it at any angle.
Hinge the KB at the bottom corners and screen protector at the top corner. It could be a complete life saver.

ok the keyboard in Athena is completely useless. Universal one is much better. I made so much typing error because I had to press hard on the keyboard. It is not responsive enough. Whenever I wanted to type fast, I kept on missing a character such as the A character. Even my Fitaly soft keyboard is 3x better.
It is annoying having to carry keyboard all the time because you need that to keep U1000 in the leather casing closed nicely together. but that is about it.

I too agree that the keyboard is next to useless. I've been using it purely as a way to hold up the unit at home, so that it looks like a PC instead of the screen lying flat. I still much prefer to use the enlarged on-screen keyboard. For more specialised typing such as word documetn, I have my Full Screen Kyboard activated hardware button that was once used for starting the browser. In that way, I can alway call up the Full Screen Keyboard anytime I need.
I don't actually carry my keyboard around. I've designed and made a belt pouch myself (yes, using my old notebook carrying case's materials) which can either take both the unit and keyboard or just the keyboard. In either case, I don't put the leather case into my pouch. It works very well for me.
At home, I would like to look for either a BT or USB keyboard.

Hmmm....
But for me athena keyboard still useful even not as good as universal one. But i still can feel it...

Actually I kinda like it.
Its better than I expected it to be. Rarely misses a key when I'm typing. I'm coming at this from keyboardless pdas though so can't compare with other smartphones (except Nokia 9300 which was ok but I actually think this is better.)
Its certainly handy having it there and it makes the pda sturdy when you want it sat up just to see the screen while playing music, watching movies etc.

I think all the above comments on the keyboard, the some good, and the some bad, are valid.
That being said, I do not think it's a deal breaker to not get the Athena. In addition, it can't be a deal breaker, as there are no alternatives. Yes, if all other things were remaining equal, and there was another device identical, except for a better keyboard, I'd obviously opt for it, even at a higher cost.
But, I LOVE the Athena. It is the portable computing device (plus GPS) that I've been hoping for. And I use in in CONJUNCTION with another phone (a Blackberry Pearl, for now). Comparing it to TyTN or the like, are too different. It runs faster than handheld pocket PCs, seems more stable, and quite frankly, when you mix too much usage at one time, like a phone, GPS, and PocketPC, is too much for any device. This is a PC with 3g data first, then maybe a GPS, and THEN a phone.

I have no complaints. I use it a good 3-4 hours a day instead of my laptop. It's good for emails and simple word/excel editing. Makes me able to sneak about without anyone noticing.
It could have had a little more tactile feedback, but the lack of it makes it dead quiet instead, which in my opinion is a wonderful thing.
I'm sure someone will make use of the extra space between keys... ie moving the main keys closer together and adding a numeric keypad somewhere in there. I wouldn't mind.
Perhaps make them round, and with a groove in the middle of each key so when the keys are tightly put together you still have high accuracy speed typing.

I'm used to the Wizard and Hermes, and they both have keyboards that give a little more response than Athenas keyboard. However, I see that this also is a good idea if you want to use the keyboard when you are en a meeting or in a lecture, or whereever you are where you have to be quiet.

anyone has tried Thinkoutside bluetooth keyboard with U1000 yet?

No, but I have tried the Freedom Keyboard (www.freedomkeyboard.com), and it works perfectly.
It's a little smaller than a normal qwerty-keyboard so it takes a little to get used to it, but I think it is rather good.
The Stowaway Travel Mouse also works perfectly.

If we are gonna go for Bluetooth keyboards, try the Apple PRO full qwerty kb. Its nice. I used it on my Nokia770, and my XDAII easily.
Not tried on the Athena, but no reason it shouldnt work. Great for using when you are at home/office for typing. Just dont expect to carry it around.

Edges of screen unresponsive?

Anyone else notice that the edges of the screen on the cmda diamond, cdma pro, and the HD seem to be MUCH less responsive than the screens of previous devices?
I "miss" the exit and start menu buttons pretty often and its pretty annoying lol.
Also the notification/title bar area plus other buttons along the bottom and side.
The rest of the screen is more responsive certainly than say the vogue, mogul, diamond or tp. But its the edges of this and the last 2 mentioned devices that get me..

Well I also feel it's less responsive, but not so much actually. Besides this is caused by the technology of the touch screen.

pozytywny said:
Well I also feel it's less responsive, but not so much actually. Besides this is caused by the technology of the touch screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean the edges or the whole thing? The main part I feel is more responsive...

Edge responisiveness depends highly on screen calibration. Try to recalibrate screen more precisely, I think situation should improve ...

kosta0955 said:
Edge responisiveness depends highly on screen calibration. Try to recalibrate screen more precisely, I think situation should improve ...
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Click to collapse
Hey thanks a lot. Thought the same thing myself.
Re-calibrated as accurately as I possibly could.
Still no go. I would really like someone else to try this. Take out your stylus even and press in the very corner of the X-button...you get nothing.
Sort of fix: I found that if you hold your press just a little longer it registers (much better) though I'm not quite convinced that it's still normal nor complete.

jim256 said:
Still no go. I would really like someone else to try this. Take out your stylus even and press in the very corner of the X-button...you get nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see any problem in pressing X-button on my Touch HD. I had similar problem like yours using right vertical scrollbar and recalibration helped, so I though it might help you too, but unfortunately it seem this ain't the same problem

kosta0955 said:
I don't see any problem in pressing X-button on my Touch HD. I had similar problem like yours using right vertical scrollbar and recalibration helped, so I though it might help you too, but unfortunately it seem this ain't the same problem
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Click to collapse
Hmm...I wonder if I should try to get it replaced under warranty.
I would want to, but I have noticed the same problem in a sprint diamond in the store, a sprint touch pro in a store, and a friends sprint touch pro.
What do you (guys) think? Replacement? It could get really annoying...not being able to close out of things. Right now since its new and awesome and stuff I'm kind of trying to ignore it or whatever but...hmm idk.

The fact that the screen is less responsive near the edges is caused by an inherent technical limitation of resistive screens. The screen has no real bezel, and thus, the screen is attached to the body frame right where it ends: at the absolute edges of the screen Where it is attached, it cannot move. A little further away from the edge it can move (eg be pressed down) but this requires more force since you need to bend the screen much closer to the fixed edges than when you would press the center of the screen, which bends the easiest.
Don't know if this makes sense, but it's like a window... Hitting it in the centre will break it much easier than when hitting it close to the edges, since the glass bends much further/easier at the center, so the same force will have more effect.
Anyway, resistive screens have this problems, capacitive screens do not, obviously, since they do not rely on pressure.
If hitting the OK/Close button is a problem for you, just use the hardware button below the screen, the one with the arrow on it. It does exactly the same thing I believe. With 'I believe' I mean I assigned OK/close to that button using AEButtonPlus, which should be the default behavior for pressing it once. I find this to be much more convenient than trying to hit that tiny X/OK button.

nin2thevoid said:
The fact that the screen is less responsive near the edges is caused by an inherent technical limitation of resistive screens. The screen has no real bezel, and thus, the screen is attached to the body frame right where it ends: at the absolute edges of the screen Where it is attached, it cannot move. A little further away from the edge it can move (eg be pressed down) but this requires more force since you need to bend the screen much closer to the fixed edges than when you would press the center of the screen, which bends the easiest.
Don't know if this makes sense, but it's like a window... Hitting it in the centre will break it much easier than when hitting it close to the edges, since the glass bends much further/easier at the center, so the same force will have more effect.
Anyway, resistive screens have this problems, capacitive screens do not, obviously, since they do not rely on pressure.
If hitting the OK/Close button is a problem for you, just use the hardware button below the screen, the one with the arrow on it. It does exactly the same thing I believe. With 'I believe' I mean I assigned OK/close to that button using AEButtonPlus, which should be the default behavior for pressing it once. I find this to be much more convenient than trying to hit that tiny X/OK button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for your informative opinion.
This theory seems to fit, except it doesn't quite explain nor fit with these 2 things:
1. I can apply a pretty decent amount of pressure in the corner with no results whatsoever. But I can get full results if I apply less pressure for about .5-1 second rather than just tapping.
2. I have never seen any evidence of this on any other resistive touch devices (vogue, titan).
Why in the world do these resistive touch screens have to suck so bad anyway? The HD is the best I've seen lately, but does HTC just suck at it, or is it everyone (haven't owned a non-htc ts device for a yr or so, and that was a treo where I didn't really notice sensitivity).
My dad has a 3+ yr old Dell Axim X5 and that screen is AMAZINGLY sensitive. Responds to stylus and is too old to be capacitive. But it is literally 100% as responsive / sensitive as the screen of the iPhone. When I used it I couldn't believe it. You had to be VERY delicate and careful and trying hard to touch that screen and not have it know.

I have it now,but not happy at all

1.first i had problem to hard reset it,it is not done as users manual says.
2.Digital Compass app needs to Rereset after each soft reset.getting "Magnetic interference" Error
3.Screen is so sensitive that is almost impossible for me to write text messages or e mails.came off Touch Pro 2.there i had no problems.
4.my Volume UP button sudenly stoped working
i think,they rushed the release and made this device pain in the ass.maybe we need a NEW ROM!!!

mine hasn't had these problems, knock wood. And I am loving the speed!

With the screen being so sensitive... why does that make it impossible to write text messages? it just means you dont have to bend your screen when pressing so hard to press a key...?

Having had a Touch HD - owning a TP2 (work) and just having sold an Iphone 3GS - I honestly love mine to bits.
Been playing with the phone all evening - and I have to say I am really impressed - Vibrant screen, awesome speed, gorgeous flash (vid's and pics are quite good too compared to my other/previous phones) - All in all I am well impressed. The OS sits together so well - not having to touch WinMo at all, that this is one ROM I might just stick with!!!
I like the hard buttons on the front of the device - one of the bad sides of the blackstone but I have to agree the screen is VERY sensitive. As I'll be getting an invisishield for it as soon as they are released - this will make it much more useable - struggling at the moment but I can honestly say its a good thing - VERY precise screen - compared to the iphone 3GS (which sometimes required a double press to register) - You just have to think about touching this phone and it reacts - lol
Overall - VERY PLEASED and super happy I ditched my iphone 3GS for this oh and its VERY slim - in fact one of the slimmest HTC devices I have ever laid my hands on. All in all about 2mm bigger in depth, width and height than a 3GS but with like 50% more display area - Now THIS is what I call an iphone killer.

polystirenman said:
i think,they rushed the release and made this device pain in the ass.maybe we need a NEW ROM!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I just say you're out of luck. inoperative volume button... sounds like a defective unit, not software.
Replace it and be happy again.

zoomee said:
Having had a Touch HD - owning a TP2 (work) and just having sold an Iphone 3GS - I honestly love mine to bits.
Been playing with the phone all evening - and I have to say I am really impressed - Vibrant screen, awesome speed, gorgeous flash (vid's and pics are quite good too compared to my other/previous phones) - All in all I am well impressed. The OS sits together so well - not having to touch WinMo at all, that this is one ROM I might just stick with!!!
I like the hard buttons on the front of the device - one of the bad sides of the blackstone but I have to agree the screen is VERY sensitive. As I'll be getting an invisishield for it as soon as they are released - this will make it much more useable - struggling at the moment but I can honestly say its a good thing - VERY precise screen - compared to the iphone 3GS (which sometimes required a double press to register) - You just have to think about touching this phone and it reacts - lol
Overall - VERY PLEASED and super happy I ditched my iphone 3GS for this oh and its VERY slim - in fact one of the slimmest HTC devices I have ever laid my hands on. All in all about 2mm bigger in depth, width and height than a 3GS but with like 50% more display area - Now THIS is what I call an iphone killer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zoomee, come drive over to wakefield so I can have a play and see what its like

nicelad_uk said:
zoomee, come drive over to wakefield so I can have a play and see what its like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh, if your passing by hudds soon i.e. on teh weekend let me know fella and i'll hook up.

I agree on the sensitivity....it's awful....if, for example, you type something incorrectly...VERY easy to do..then press delete quickly a few times, it doesn't delete..it starts typing random characters!!
hoping there's a setting for this somewhere. A screen protector might be the answer though in the short term
I also had to hard reset (because I wanted to..not for any other reason) and I followed the procedure in the manual, has been the same for all HTC devices I've had

Not to *****, but the guys saying that the screen is too responsive... Are you used to capacitive screens? You need to get used to it for a bit, especially when you come from resistive screens.
Also, a phone that is TOO responsive? You never hear that from a WM phone .

compared to the iphone (yes, I know..I'm sorry) the screen is lousy!!

twisted-pixel said:
I agree on the sensitivity....it's awful....if, for example, you type something incorrectly...VERY easy to do..then press delete quickly a few times, it doesn't delete..it starts typing random characters!!
hoping there's a setting for this somewhere. A screen protector might be the answer though in the short term
I also had to hard reset (because I wanted to..not for any other reason) and I followed the procedure in the manual, has been the same for all HTC devices I've had
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's exactly what i ment.it is realy hard to wrife witbkut making a mistake.
So does it means that none of you guys hav this Digital Compass problem?after each soft reset i have to repeat that 8 shape pattern movement to make it work again.
anyway i am returning my to get a replacement.

I don't have an HD2, but I think I've experienced this over-sensitivity on my iPod nano, which I presume has a capacitive scroll wheel.
Sometimes (although not usually) it becomes so sensitive that I don't have to actually touch the scroll wheel for the songs to scroll. It then becomes almost impossible to choose the song I actually want because when I move my finger to the select button the song changes before I can select it - very, very annoying and frustrating. I'm not sure why it's sometimes much worse than at other times. Maybe it's the temperature of my finger or something.
Anyway, it sounds like this is the same sort of thing that's happening on the HD2. It's a real pain on my iPod, and I would find it totally unacceptable on a device like the HD2.

Its just a case of getting used to the screen. Our fingers are too used to resistive screens that we don't actually lift our fingers enough and drag across the screen since unless we apply enough pressure on resistive screen it won't do anything. With capacitive we just need to re-train our fingers to lift off the screen another 1mm and it'll be fine.
Here's my suggestions:
1) Try typing slower to start with.
2) Or turn phone to landscape as the keys on the onscreen keyboard are slightly wider.
I can type quite quickly in landscape with between 1-3 errors per an SMS.
I'm loving this phone right now!

kinnyfaifai said:
Its just a case of getting used to the screen. Our fingers are too used to resistive screens that we don't actually lift our fingers enough and drag across the screen since unless we apply enough pressure on resistive screen it won't do anything. With capacitive we just need to re-train our fingers to lift off the screen another 1mm and it'll be fine.
Here's my suggestions:
1) Try typing slower to start with.
2) Or turn phone to landscape as the keys on the onscreen keyboard are slightly wider.
I can type quite quickly in landscape with between 1-3 errors per an SMS.
I'm loving this phone right now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're 100% right!
I also was very frustrated and irritated the first two days. But then I realized how responsive the screen is. Just a very very light touch already gives a reaction. And now I'm loving it more and more by the minute...

ALÞHÃ said:
And I just say you're out of luck. inoperative volume button... sounds like a defective unit, not software.
Replace it and be happy again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was delivered with a faulty 'Volume UP' button. I've sent it back for replacement.

polystirenman said:
3.Screen is so sensitive that is almost impossible for me to write text messages or e mails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try another keyboard. One that doesn't allow to change a character once you pressed a character on the keyboard. Fingertouch Pro and Resco Keyboard Pro for example are great keyboards for the sensitive screen of the HD2. I myself like the Resco keyboard. It responds and looks very similar to the iphone keyboard.
BTW Fingertouch pro and Resco Keyboard Pro both allows you to make use of gestures. Together with this feature text input is a breeze on the HD2
(Better yet is MessagEase, but unfortunately, under WinMob 6.5, it has some real problems).

nicelad_uk said:
zoomee, come drive over to wakefield so I can have a play and see what its like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I am in wakefield too! Small world
I have to agree the screen is very sensitive. I am sure with a weeks usage I will be ok.
I have to say though I am so in love with the phone. The speed is perfect. No more waiting to load SMS\email screen etc like with my touch HD.

Hehe thats what happens with everyone who switch over from Resistive to Capacitive, at first they will hate it as they're too used to resistive.
But just within 2-3 days they realize just how much better Capative is. Resistive just sucks IMO. Typing is way quicker using a Capactive panel.

Tanmay® said:
Hehe thats what happens with everyone who switch over from Resistive to Capacitive, at first they will hate it as they're too used to resistive.
But just within 2-3 days they realize just how much better Capative is. Resistive just sucks IMO. Typing is way quicker using a Capactive panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had exactly the same experience switching to my G1 - I sent the first one back after a few hours as i was convinced the screen wasn't working. The next handset was was the same. A day or so of use later and I was sold and never looked back.

no..the screen is definitely too sensitive...this is not my first capacitive screen btw.
I've got my phone on charge on the desk next to me...and number of time it has open the calendar, or contacts...all by itself is amazing. A few moments ago (which has prompted me to write this post), it opened the calendar and the curser moved all over november....18, 19, 20, 24, etc etc...without me being anywhere near it!!
there has to be a way to turn the sensitivity down

screen sensiviity ruining experience

right now........I HATE this phone
the screen is so sensitive it's ruining it for me
even a bit of dust makes it impossible to type a text message. there must be a way to decrease screen sensitivity or it's going back. I'm so pissed off with it right now

Sorry. Think it quite funny.
People have been complaining how insensitive the resistive screen. Now there is a capacitive screen its the opposite.
I hope I don't eat my words in a few days when I get mine.
Quite a few people are complaining about the over sensitive screen then changing there minds after a few days.
How is the dust making it hard?

I love the screen, and tipping is super fast for me.
Best phone I ever have.

The screen is amazing.
Much easier to type than on resesitive screen. you just need to get used to it.

have you guys (found) any videos of typing on the hd2? Wonder what it looks like and if you can become as fluent as with a hw-keyboard?

I have same problem here. I was using Touch HD before and now I can't type anything without making mistakes. T9 helps out but when it comes to password it's getting painfull. When I'm pressing letter on on-screen keyboard I quite often press other keys around. I guess it will take quite some time to get used to it, I don't think sensitivity can be changed.
P.S.
Guys from pocketnow claims that HD2 has about the same sensitivity as Pro2 and definitely less then iPhone. If it so I can't imagine how people are able to use iPhone

we have all been used to resistive till now. you'll adapt dont worry, its a change that we all now have to go through.
i have the ipod touch so i dont think it will be troublesome for me to addapt to the new screen.

after a week with this phone, i love that screen... it is very hard to adapt first few days, but than, everything is so great... it is much better like resistive screen... typing is super fast, sliding is easy...

yes i am also having problems with the high sensitivity, but i'm coming from solid keys so no real surprises! starting to get used to it now. I reckon OP you'll get used to it to. Give it a week or so!

You'll get used to it and never look back, I have an i8910 at the moment (HD2 arriving in a couple of days), which is also capacitive and it just takes a little while to adjust.

Fine here too, although the Opera "flick scroll" is too sensitive in a way - it always seems to scroll too far for me, at least a whole screen, so not as useful as the iPhone equivalent.
Anybody know if that is tweakable somehow?

There are a few practical steps I have found that have minimised the problem (for me) while we restive users come to terms with the capacitive screens we have yearned for:
Don't press too hard - it's easily done in frustration but it actually makes things worse
Align the screen - I don't think the factory calibration is too clever (this made a big difference for me)
Switch to a different keyboard. After labouring with the default keyboard and finding myself in a similar place to the OP, I reinstalled my trusty TouchPal and all is well again
Thse worked for me - hope they are of use to others

kolomnik said:
Guys from pocketnow claims that HD2 has about the same sensitivity as Pro2 and definitely less then iPhone. If it so I can't imagine how people are able to use iPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same sensitivity as Pro2 ?, lol. They probably got a broken sample.
On the Pro2 I was easily able to put my finger on the screen without a click being registered. With the HD2 we got confirmations this is impossible, as soon as your skin touches the device, no matter how lightly you brought your finger to the screen, a click will be registered.

I used to have a Touch HD beforehand, and after getting the HD2 I noticed I would make a large amount of mistakes, and that typing was extremely hard (especially on the go).
But like others have said, give it a couple of days and you will start to get used to it. I'm definately getting the hang of it. But I would strongly recommend you enable T9. Getting the hang of typing on a capacitive screen comes naturally.
And try out the horizontal keyboard; turn the HD2 sideways and the horizontal keybord will be shown to you. You may find it a bit easier to type on that instead.

This is the best screen i have in any windows mobile, the reason i had an iphone was the capasitive screen it has but now because of this screen i switched to the HD2 and i am more than happy and i don't understand why people complain about this screen its simply FANTASTIC.

I think I can uderstand them, it is beacuse we are used to looking exactly where we are going to click, now, with the capacitive screen, we have to use our finger to do it (wich obviously wont let us see waht we are clicking on). I was a little bit stressed yesterday that I received the phone, but right now I am getting used to it. I am doing now a slide soft motion with the screen, and not the old press hard movement I used to with my HD.
I think it is great, let give it at least a few days so we can get confortable with it.

How does the touch-sensitivity of the Leo compare to that of the iphone?

I have been trying to find a Leo to test the touch sensitivity. I currently own the touch HD (for a year now), and although I love it, I must say that the iphone is clearly a lot more responsive to the touch than my hd.
The iphone responds right away to the slightest touch and the movement is so fluid.
How fluid is - for example - cover flow flicking through albums in the Leo landscape player?
If we say the iphone touch-response is a 10 on a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate the Leo just in that respect?

OK, having had the HD, iPhone 3GS and the Leo I can offer a real perspective on this.
I have the iPhone 3GS sitting right here in front of me and my new Leo. I can tell you straight up, I don't see any difference in sensitivity between the two. They both swipe the same, moving finger across keys. I find no difference in how either screen responds to my finger movements.
It has taken me a few hours of playing around with device (HD2) and having to use the keyboard (when it was required, didn't just use the keyboard) to get used to its different size of keys. What I found is that the end of my fingers aren't 100% equal and that sometimes when I thought I was touching one key my finger actually touched another (edge) as one part of my figertip was further forward (does that make sense) than the part I though I was touching with (the middle). I had this same problem moving from my HD to the iPhone 3GS.
There is one difference that I have noticed...
The iPhone keyboard allows you to press a second/third (probably more than this, but hard to do on such a small keyboard) key while you have another key pressed (multi touch). When you press the second/third key it treats the previous key press as if it has been released. The HTC keyboard won't allow you to press a second/third key while having another pressed.
Both (HD2 and iPhone) keyboards register a key press (send character) when you release the key, not when you first push on it (my simple explanation). This obviously means that when using multiple fingers (thumbs) your experience may be slightly different on the iPhone vs. HD2.
This isn't the phones fault, but the keyboard programs I suspect. Being that the HD2 can multi touch this is just another app that doesn't support it. I haven't tried (on HD2) any of the other keyboards yet so I can't comment on how they work, I don't think any of the WM keyboards support multi touch yet.
Maybe Rozental (FingerKeyboard) can add some light to this. I suspect if FingerKeyboard doesn't already support multi touch it will be made too, once a way to do so is available.
I love my HD2 and how it responds. My iPhone is going up on eBay later today.

Way to bias the question from the start, enforcing top possible marks for the iPhone.
Also, try reading the forum. Do you really think that this hasn't already been discussed? Multiple times?

The touch response is amazing. End of.

Texting can be daunting sometimes, screen is way too sensitive. Never used an iphone.

erosennin said:
Texting can be daunting sometimes, screen is way too sensitive. Never used an iphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone did you use previously?

as mentioned already the sensitivity of the hd2 and the iPhone is the same. I have both and they both seem to react in the same way. for those used to resistive screen, it might seem overly sensitive. but once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you could ever manage without capacitive again. if you go back to resistive screen you might just think the unit is defective!

cfu said:
as mentioned already the sensitivity of the hd2 and the iPhone is the same. I have both and they both seem to react in the same way. for those used to resistive screen, it might seem overly sensitive. but once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you could ever manage without capacitive again. if you go back to resistive screen you might just think the unit is defective!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Capacitive was always going to be weird to get used to for people who had never used an iPhone. Imagine how iPhone users felt the first time they used their phones.
Now you never hear people complaining that it is too sensitive. It will take some getting to, but damn, it's worth it!

Capacitive vs resistive
cfu said:
as mentioned already the sensitivity of the hd2 and the iPhone is the same. I have both and they both seem to react in the same way. for those used to resistive screen, it might seem overly sensitive. but once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you could ever manage without capacitive again. if you go back to resistive screen you might just think the unit is defective!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You nailed it.
7 years of resistive WM devices and I felt all thumbs on the Leo at first, but now when I use the HD...it feels inadequate.

Xaddict said:
You nailed it.
7 years of resistive WM devices and I felt all thumbs on the Leo at first, but now when I use the HD...it feels inadequate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree more. Now I'm used to my HD2, I can quite literally type as fast as I do on a real keyboard......it's awesome. I went back to my omnia for a couple of mins for comparison....and oh my oh my, woefully inadequate.
Viva la winmo capacitive screen

i have owned both and the HD2 is more sensitive. Maybe even too sensitive

Nighthawk said:
What phone did you use previously?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I owned the SEX1, but there's no way i'm going back.

HD2 is as sensitive as the 3GS. Though I am more accurate on the 3GS than I am on the HD2 (better key placement, size of device and proportionately wider keys helps on this one).

I think once we get used to the screen it will all calm down. Most of us are just used to resistive screens.

Nighthawk said:
OK, having had the HD, iPhone 3GS and the Leo I can offer a real perspective on this.
I have the iPhone 3GS sitting right here in front of me and my new Leo. I can tell you straight up, I don't see any difference in sensitivity between the two. They both swipe the same, moving finger across keys. I find no difference in how either screen responds to my finger movements.
It has taken me a few hours of playing around with device (HD2) and having to use the keyboard (when it was required, didn't just use the keyboard) to get used to its different size of keys. What I found is that the end of my fingers aren't 100% equal and that sometimes when I thought I was touching one key my finger actually touched another (edge) as one part of my figertip was further forward (does that make sense) than the part I though I was touching with (the middle). I had this same problem moving from my HD to the iPhone 3GS.
There is one difference that I have noticed...
The iPhone keyboard allows you to press a second/third (probably more than this, but hard to do on such a small keyboard) key while you have another key pressed (multi touch). When you press the second/third key it treats the previous key press as if it has been released. The HTC keyboard won't allow you to press a second/third key while having another pressed.
Both (HD2 and iPhone) keyboards register a key press (send character) when you release the key, not when you first push on it (my simple explanation). This obviously means that when using multiple fingers (thumbs) your experience may be slightly different on the iPhone vs. HD2.
This isn't the phones fault, but the keyboard programs I suspect. Being that the HD2 can multi touch this is just another app that doesn't support it. I haven't tried (on HD2) any of the other keyboards yet so I can't comment on how they work, I don't think any of the WM keyboards support multi touch yet.
Maybe Rozental (FingerKeyboard) can add some light to this. I suspect if FingerKeyboard doesn't already support multi touch it will be made too, once a way to do so is available.
I love my HD2 and how it responds. My iPhone is going up on eBay later today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW - thank you for the detailed info. Yes, I understood everything you wrote.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to answering my question. Like I said, I have not been able to get my hands on the Leo here in Germany, so until now, I have only been able to compare the HD with the iPhone and, well the difference is obvious (and to be expected). I have been considering selling my HD and getting the HD2. And if its capacitive screen shows no difference to that of the iPhone, then I know I'll love it.

I'vehad a bunch of resisteve winMo phoens, and then all 3 iphones..
the iPhoneswere all the same
and if they are a 10 - the HD2 is a 12
i found it too be too sensitive trying to use the keyboard
but i used the cab file from this forum which changes the sensitivity which helped a lot

docchris1980 said:
I'vehad a bunch of resisteve winMo phoens, and then all 3 iphones..
the iPhoneswere all the same
and if they are a 10 - the HD2 is a 12
i found it too be too sensitive trying to use the keyboard
but i used the cab file from this forum which changes the sensitivity which helped a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear the HD2 is a 12 (if the iphone is a 10). I would prefer "too sensitive" over "not sensitive enough". I'm seriously considering getting rid of my HD and getting a Leo. I'm just checking on prices and maybe I'll wait a bit for the price to drop (maybe after the holidays).

This isn't the phones fault, but the keyboard programs I suspect. Being that the HD2 can multi touch this is just another app that doesn't support it. I haven't tried (on HD2) any of the other keyboards yet so I can't comment on how they work, I don't think any of the WM keyboards support multi touch yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not convinced they will ever support that iphone style keyboard. As far as I can tell it seems the "multitouch" support on the hd2 is all handled in the driver. I have yet to see any app support more than pinch-to-zoom, and I think in those cases the app is not aware of the touches - I think the driver just sends a zoom in or zoom out command.
On topic: I went back to my touch pro and I thought the device was being unresponsive requiring multiple presses. It took me a while to figure out I wasnt pressing hard enough. I guess the hd2 has been spoiling me and I hadnt realised it!

isangelous said:
Im not convinced they will ever support that iphone style keyboard. As far as I can tell it seems the "multitouch" support on the hd2 is all handled in the driver. I have yet to see any app support more than pinch-to-zoom, and I think in those cases the app is not aware of the touches - I think the driver just sends a zoom in or zoom out command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo. The OS does not support more than one cursor position, so the only way HTC can shoehorn such things into the device is with driver trickery sending zoom commands to supplied apps that support it, and however they've done the virtual screen "digital zoom" in other apps. Until WM7 this is as good as it gets.
On topic: I went back to my touch pro and I thought the device was being unresponsive requiring multiple presses. It took me a while to figure out I wasnt pressing hard enough. I guess the hd2 has been spoiling me and I hadnt realised it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the same here! And my god isn't that screen small!
Touch sensitiivity on the HD2 is fine.