Android with a Hardware Keyboard

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 16:09

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.

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 16:26

The Milestone 2 is miles better than the Desire Z though? The Desire Z has lower specs than the original Desire?

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 16:41

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

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 17:00

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?

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.

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 17:07

reflux said:
Just remembered this... the Xperia Pro. Not dual core but decent enough and should be released running Gingerbread:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/the-sony-ericsson-xperia-pro/

http://se-xperia.com/xperia-neo-and-pro-release-dates-revealed/

320MB RAM though?

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 19:28

I'm not here to have an argument about wether or not I should use on screen keyboards.

I want a HW keyboard, but it looks like phone manufacturers don't share my desire for physical keys.

The new Sony looks no better spec wise than the HTC or Milestone, even through its 1 year younger. When could we realistically expect the Droid 3 to make it here? Tempted to just get the best phone I can for free when I renew and then sell it, pocket the cash, and buy a decent HW keyboard phone when one comes along. But is one coming along... ?

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 20:01

Dual core is utterly pointless. Come back when there running dual core optimised OS's and all apps are dual core aware.

Yes, the Milestone does look nicer than the Z, but its Motorola. I have a Milestone and my GF has a Desire, and hers is so much nicer with the Sense UI. Motoblur is pants, and no Home replacement apps are as good as Sense.

Plus, the Desire Z is quite easy to get hold of, whereas the Milestone 2 (like the Milestone) is available on a select few websites.

Might try and have a play with some in some stores, if I can resist throttling the salesmen to death.

Skeeter · 27 Apr 2011 at 20:10

alexhull24 said:
The size of your fingers doesn't really come into it if you use landscape mode to type. The buttons on that are usually bigger than physical ones.

It will take some getting used to, but physical keyboards are on the way out whether we like it or not. That's the way I see it anyway.

Nobody seems to have told Blackberry...

Robbo said:
Dual core is not pointless at all, you don't need dual core optimised software for many of the benefits it brings.

Its by no means essential, but certainly not pointless.

Sorry, should have quantified it. There is no point in dual core yet. Its time will come.

However, there are no dual core HW keyboard Android phones, so it doesn't matter.

So, in summary, currently my choice is limited to the HTC Desire Z and the Motorola Milestone 2, with a new Xperia phone from Sony on the way.

Skeeter · 28 Apr 2011 at 14:07

Ok, so I have had a play with a Desire Z, and read some reviews on the Milestone 2 (no highstreet stores have them) and my conclusion is neither of them offer enough of an improvement over my original Milestone to warrant changing. I am therefore going to port out to GiffGaff at the end of my contract and wait it out on PAYG until something comes along I like.

So, in a change of direction for this thread, what rumours are there of HW keyboard equipped Android phones coming from any manufacturer in the next 6 months or so?

Skeeter · 3 May 2011 at 16:55

When is the Milestone 3 due? My contract ends mid July and I have a GiffGaff sim ready to port to to wait it out.