Smartphone with keyboard ?

Author
Discussion

marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
HP have finally decided to pull the plug on the WebOS backup servers (eol scheduled for 15th Jan) so it's time to change phones.

I'd really like something as close as possible to the WebOS experience (card based multi-tasking and minimal use of buttons to change views), with a real keyboard either built-in or easy to add and inductive charging if at all possible.

Any thoughts ?

ReaderScars

6,087 posts

176 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
Blackberry Passport ticks the real keyboard box, not so sure about inductive charging. It's a well specced handset regardless, very positive reviews but the negative ones seem to omit the functions and shortcuts which circumvent the perceived shortcomings.

TonyRPH

12,968 posts

168 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
So I'm not alone in wanting a proper keyboard as well!

I've been looking for a replacement for my trusty Nokia E7 but no such luck as yet.

The Nokia still ticks all the boxes for me, however it doesn't have 4G, and 3G coverage is getting ever more patchy.

I'm really not keen on the Blackberry devices at all.


marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
Hmm - Blackberry OS 10 (QNX) does seem to work in almost the way I want it to. Might be the answer.


MuffDaddy

1,415 posts

205 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
The Passport is really nice. I also enjoy the Q20. I am no longer associated with BlackBerry so these views really are my own. If I didn't consume video on a daily basis I would have a Passport in my pocket right now.

marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
MuffDaddy said:
The Passport is really nice. I also enjoy the Q20. I am no longer associated with BlackBerry so these views really are my own. If I didn't consume video on a daily basis I would have a Passport in my pocket right now.
What's the problem with video ? Is it just screen size or performance-related (or something else) ?

Foliage

3,861 posts

122 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
whats the issue with using a touchscreen as a keyboard?

have a look at the asha 205 and 210, but I don't think they have a proper smart phone OS.

MuffDaddy

1,415 posts

205 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
No real issue but I watch 3 hours of netflix on the train each day so a 1:1 aspect wouldn't work. The physical keyboard is a joy to use though.

marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
Foliage said:
whats the issue with using a touchscreen as a keyboard?

have a look at the asha 205 and 210, but I don't think they have a proper smart phone OS.
a) I don't like greasy marks on the screen
b) I can type faster on a proper keyboard, even a small one
c) I have an innate inability to hit the right character on a virtual keyboard - even a large one.
d) My money, my rules.

marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
quotequote all
MuffDaddy said:
No real issue but I watch 3 hours of netflix on the train each day so a 1:1 aspect wouldn't work. The physical keyboard is a joy to use though.
Ah. That's OK for me then. I might use it to throw a Netflix session across to chromecast (if the Android compatibility layer can handle it), but don't watch a lot of video on the handheld. Ability to respond to emails quickly and clearly is more important for me.

Thanks for the clarification.

RobinBanks

17,540 posts

179 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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marshalla said:
Hmm - Blackberry OS 10 (QNX) does seem to work in almost the way I want it to. Might be the answer.
My last 3 phones have been on BlackBerry OS10, iOS 8 and Android KitKat. I don't hesitate in saying that in my opinion BB10 is by far the best of them.

My current phone is a Sony Xperia Z1 and although it's great, I much preferred the BlackBerry Z10. That's the only phone where I've preferred on-screen keyboards to physical keyboards.

And that's from a long history of BlackBerry phones with great physical keyboards.

Koofler

616 posts

166 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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I've had a Q10 since they were first launched as I wanted a keyboard BUT BB10 is a steaming pile of manure, even with the latest updates. There's an unresolved SMTP issue that drives me mad as I have to send email via EE for one of my (work) accounts and their tech support is dire.

I can't stand iPhones either but I had a play with a Nexus 5 the other day and it was good enough to tempt me away from the keyboard. My buddy swears by his Samsung S5 too.

marshalla

Original Poster:

15,902 posts

201 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Thanks to all who replied. Shiny new BB Passport is in my grubby paws now and it seems pretty good so far - particularly liking the ability to install Android apps alongside native BB - opens up a whole world of extra toys.