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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.
Hi
I just got my Tmobile Wing as a replacement for my Dopod D810 (Trinity), it's lovely and the battery life is great! However, I'm just wondering if it's just me or all the Herald variants, I'm quite annoyed but its semi-automatic spring driven keyboard and looks like mine wiggles a bit and slightly elevated on the keyboard itself (when not slided out), i found it too annoying when i tap my fingers on the screen like when i'm using Phonepad and i can barely feel it wiggles and it knocks the front panel housing (i don't what should be the term) to the keyboard panel.
Any one with the same case?
I would be very thankful if you happen to know any fix and post it here.
Thanks!
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
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.
Hi,
Is there a slide out keyboard add-on for the Nexus 4? I am really looking to add a slide out keyboard but I can't find any information. There's one for the Iphone 5 ( http://www.boxwave.com/apple-iphone...ard-buddy-apple-iphone-5-case/bwpdd/pkz-zvwt/ )
No, and there most likely never will be.
raiden said:
Hi,
Is there a slide out keyboard add-on for the Nexus 4? I am really looking to add a slide out keyboard but I can't find any information. There's one for the Iphone 5 ( http://www.boxwave.com/apple-iphone...ard-buddy-apple-iphone-5-case/bwpdd/pkz-zvwt/ )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never seen one nor have I ever seen this done. Looks like a cool idea for someone that might want a hard keyboard but the phone isn't made with one. My wife would love this.
raiden said:
Is there a slide out keyboard add-on for the Nexus 4? I am really looking to add a slide out keyboard but I can't find any information. There's one for the Iphone 5 ( http://www.boxwave.com/apple-iphone...ard-buddy-apple-iphone-5-case/bwpdd/pkz-zvwt/ )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one for the Samsung Galaxy SIII as well, which has nearly the same dimensions as the N4:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AN9XZZK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
I've been asking around at the various Chinese reseller sites whether anyone was going to make one for the N4, but so far no one has committed.
If they made one for the Nexus 4, I would definately buy it.
I did it. I now have a slide-out keyboard on my N4.
All of the images referenced throughout this post may found found here.
As it happens, I had ordered the Galaxy S3 slide-out keyboard the day before I posted the link above. Today it arrived.
The packaging (see images 1 and 2) was nicer than I expected, given my experience with cheap Chinese bluetooth keyboards. They keyboard seems sturdy and well made as well, albeit with relatively small keys. Unlike others that I looked at, this keyboard allows you to tilt the phone up (image 8) and features a backlight (image 9). I followed the included instructions and paired my N4 with the keyboard and typed out some test messages, ensuring that it would work properly.
I had thought that, worst case, I would remove the S3 "tray" from the sliding keyboard and attach it to another case. To my pleasant surprise, the tray is made to be removed! (See image 3.)
As expected, the Nexus 4 fit in it nearly perfectly. The issues were that:
1.) the power button (image 3), volume buttons (image 4), headphone jack (image 6), and flash (image 7) did not line up with the holes and
2.) the S3 is apparently more curved at the corners
while the USB port (image 5) lined up fine.
In order the make the N4 fit, I had to trim away at the tray. Sadly, my dremel has died. The tray is made of soft TPU plastic, though, so I was able to cut away at it with an x-acto knife. After widening the holes for the power button and volume buttons, and removing the curves from the bottom corners entirely (image 10), it snapped it perfectly! (images 11-15)
It makes for a thick phone. My N4 resembles a bar of soap when snapped into the keyboard. It's nice to have the option to use it with a keyboard, though!
Hi! Your work is great! I was really thinking to do the same and you removed all my concerns about feasibility. But I have another "big" issue: you adapted the S3 keyboard... I would like to to the same for a smaller phone: 4 inch screen. Does anyone know a similar product but for smaller smartphones? Many thanks in advance, regards