Question..

[Matt UK]

Why does the numerical pads on my keyboard go high to low, but on my mobile phone low to high.

It's bugging me.

[grumbledoak]

Your numerical keypad is arranged like a calculator, for obvious reasons.

Never was sure why the phone companies went the other way.

[DrTre]

Is it not something to do with speed of numerical data entry/typing from the olden days?
Can't really think of why a phone would be different, 'cept for it being the more logical layout in left-to-right and up/down reading convention?

One thing that was pointed out to me (by someone on here I think) is that texting (using your thumb) on a candybar phone is miles miles more comfortable if you were to be able do it upside down with the keypad at the top and screen in the palm of your hand.

[grumbledoak]

DrTre said:

Is it not something to do with speed of numerical data entry/typing from the olden days?

Think you are remembering the story of the keyboard- the QWERTY layout was designed to slow you down, as good typists could go faster than the mechanical mechanisms could cope with; they jammed up. Faster layouts are available (e.g. Dvorak) but few use them.

I don't think there was the same design imperative in the calculators, but once a few hundred thousand accountants had got quick with them there was no going back. Thus, the numeric pad layout.

No idea why the telecoms companies ignored it.

Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 1st July 21:15

[DrTre]

grumbledoak said:

DrTre said:

Is it not something to do with speed of numerical data entry/typing from the olden days?

Think you are remembering the story of the keyboard- the QWERTY layout was designed to slow you down, as good typists could go faster than the mechanical mechanisms could cope with; they jammed up. Faster layouts are available (e.g. Dvorak) but few use them.

I don't think there was the same design imperative in the calculators, but once a few hundred thousand accountants had got quick with them there was no going back. Thus, the numeric pad layout.

No idea why the telecoms companies ignored it.

Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 1st July 21:15

No, I know about the qwerty thing, but was under the impression the numeric was the same. Like you say though, it's probably more what everyone is used to than it being actually any quicker...I can't see any reason why 789 would need to fall more easily to hand than 123. So, yup I'm with you...although I think my reason for the telecoms is reasonable guesswork

[fadeaway]

Cause in one it represents 0, and in the other 10. Hence why one goes 0,1,2... and the other finishes ..,8,9,0

[Eric Mc]

Calculators and adding machines have keypads/keyboards in the oppsite sense as well.

Mobile phones and adding machines are therefore similar - calculators are reversed.

[havoc]

Is it ergonomic - i.e. where your fingers (thumb) naturally lie?

Calculator / keyboard - your fingers are at the bottom of the keyboard, so nearest 0,1,2,3.

Mobile phone - because of the small size and the function buttons your thumb naturally rests towards the top of the keypad and has to be bent-downwards. So 0,1,2,3 are again nearest...