Android with a Hardware Keyboard

Skeeter

Skeeter

Skeeter

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Hi

My contract is up in just under 2 months, so will need to start looking for a new phone. I want an Android with a hardware keyboard, but since every manufacturer thinks we all want iPhone clones, there isn't realy any to choose from :(.

What do people have or what is about or what is coming soon that I should look at?

I currently have a Motorola Milestone.
 
The desire z is pretty much your only realistic option mate, the milestone 2 isn't nearly as good its original counterpart and unfortunately those 2 are about your full choice.
 
The Milestone 2 is miles better than the Desire Z though? The Desire Z has lower specs than the original Desire?
 
Still massively behind the Desire S etc though :(

Looking at the specs, the Milestone 2 is the same as the Desire Z, just with a slightly higher clock CPU. But its worth taking that hit to get HTC Sense. Motoblur sucks, and the stock 'vanilla' Android leaves a lot to be desired.

So annoying that the best HW keyboard Android phone is one thats a year old :(
 
There was going to be a Samsung Galaxy S Pro (Galaxy S with slideout QWERTY) but it was canned as far as I know.

I always thought I'd want hardware keys, but after switching to the SGS, and starting with a qwerty layout and tactile feedback enabled, I'm now using swype to do all my SMS, forum posts from Tapatalk etc.

So my question is, do you need a real keyboard or do you just want one as you don't think you'll get used to the alternatives?
 
I would expect at least one dual core QWERTY out in the next 6 months or so; we're seeing a pretty big wave of dual core phones hitting in the next quarter.

alexhull24 said:
There was going to be a Samsung Galaxy S Pro (Galaxy S with slideout QWERTY) but it was canned as far as I know.
Click to expand...

Available in America, but no GSM version :(
 
alexhull24 said:
There was going to be a Samsung Galaxy S Pro (Galaxy S with slideout QWERTY) but it was canned as far as I know.

I always thought I'd want hardware keys, but after switching to the SGS, and starting with a qwerty layout and tactile feedback enabled, I'm now using swype to do all my SMS, forum posts from Tapatalk etc.

So my question is, do you need a real keyboard or do you just want one as you don't think you'll get used to the alternatives?
Click to expand...

I don't like the experience of on screen keyboards. It really bugs me having to share my screen real estate with a keyboard. If my PC monitor shrunk to half its size every time I clicked in a text box I would go mental. I like touch screen for navigation and gestures, but for actually typing I much prefer to keep my display surface and typing surface separate.
 
I have a Desire Z as I wanted a hardware keyboard for work emails and it's AWESOME.

Definitely recommend it...!
 
Droid 3 is the big upcoming one for the US, looks like it'll be an epic phone but won't be here for yonks.

I'm in the same position as the OP and honestly considering going blackberry. I don't think it's possible to touch type with a touchscreen board and that's what I love about my milestone, hence why I'm strongly considering going blackberry.
 
Hxc said:
Can you touch type?
Click to expand...

You can type very, very fast. To be honest, you can just get a bluetooth keyboard and attach that to your phone if you need to write absolutely loads, or better yet, use a computer or take an extra few seconds typing the messsage...

You can type at a very fast pace on a touchscreen keyboard, I dont think anyone can type on a tiny phone keyboard like they can on a normal sized one, no way.

There is obviously not a huge demand for sliding physical keyboards because the touchscreen ones are so good now, especially if you get a 4.3" screen and use it in landscape mode.
 
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