Comments on: The Big Flaw with Big Slates (yes, even the iPad) http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/ Smart, Mobile and Internet-connected. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Typing on the iPad [video] | Carrypad http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-1810 Typing on the iPad [video] | Carrypad Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:03:24 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-1810 [...] few sentences. I mentioned that the keyboard would be an issue in my article from February — The Big Flaw with Big Slates (Yes, Even the iPad), and I’m finding it to be the biggest challenge to the usability of the iPad so [...] [...] few sentences. I mentioned that the keyboard would be an issue in my article from February — The Big Flaw with Big Slates (Yes, Even the iPad), and I’m finding it to be the biggest challenge to the usability of the iPad so [...]

]]> By: turn.self.off http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-1286 turn.self.off Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:14:27 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-1286 it surprises me that they had not found the time to get hold of a screen that could handle more then two points of input. it surprises me that they had not found the time to get hold of a screen that could handle more then two points of input.

]]> By: CK http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-1249 CK Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:44:51 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-1249 I hated touchtyping on my 4.3" HTC HD2. However a great solution for me to massively increase text input speed was a software called "swype". Basically you have a normal keyboard but dont have to lift your finger, just start with the first key then drag your finger continuously over all the letters in the word. It recognizes the turns, hesitations etc and recognizes the words pretty accurately. Systematically it can be used with ANY touch based screen (maybe resistive is difficult). Check it out on youtube. Is much faster for text input for slow touch-typers like me. I hated touchtyping on my 4.3″ HTC HD2. However a great solution for me to massively increase text input speed was a software called “swype”. Basically you have a normal keyboard but dont have to lift your finger, just start with the first key then drag your finger continuously over all the letters in the word. It recognizes the turns, hesitations etc and recognizes the words pretty accurately. Systematically it can be used with ANY touch based screen (maybe resistive is difficult). Check it out on youtube. Is much faster for text input for slow touch-typers like me.

]]> By: johnkzin http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-1116 johnkzin Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:41:58 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-1116 This isn't substantially different from a netbook. Netbook keyboards are, really, just boat anchors that keep the screen from falling over. To do real typing, you need an external keyboard anyway. The mid-range tablets (iPad, Adam, etc.) just do away with the useless keyboard, and add a touch screen to use for incidental input while you're in a spot where you can't hook up a keyboard. The mid-range tablet is the (superior) evolution of the netbook. The advantage here will go to the Adam, which has the most flexibility for keyboards (Bluetooth and USB) as well as "swype" input coming to Android. The iPad, in contrast, is much less flexible (no word on being able to use general USB keyboards, just the one dock; and only rumors about bluetooth keyboards). This isn’t substantially different from a netbook. Netbook keyboards are, really, just boat anchors that keep the screen from falling over. To do real typing, you need an external keyboard anyway. The mid-range tablets (iPad, Adam, etc.) just do away with the useless keyboard, and add a touch screen to use for incidental input while you’re in a spot where you can’t hook up a keyboard. The mid-range tablet is the (superior) evolution of the netbook.

The advantage here will go to the Adam, which has the most flexibility for keyboards (Bluetooth and USB) as well as “swype” input coming to Android. The iPad, in contrast, is much less flexible (no word on being able to use general USB keyboards, just the one dock; and only rumors about bluetooth keyboards).

]]> By: MAREL http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-633 MAREL Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:56:02 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-633 Well, good point! Right after the iPad presentation I was thinking all the way about the possibility to write standing, holding the device with two hands and writing using two thumbs... I have to end up that measures are what we should care about: being 18 cm wide, if held in vertical-portrait position, the ipad SHOULD be thin enough to reach even the most central key with both thumb without have to strech or change position of hands... That will be the very first thing I will try when I will have the possibility to hold one of those pads in my hands... Well, good point! Right after the iPad presentation I was thinking all the way about the possibility to write standing, holding the device with two hands and writing using two thumbs…

I have to end up that measures are what we should care about: being 18 cm wide, if held in vertical-portrait position, the ipad SHOULD be thin enough to reach even the most central key with both thumb without have to strech or change position of hands…

That will be the very first thing I will try when I will have the possibility to hold one of those pads in my hands…

]]> By: Rich http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-616 Rich Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:05:36 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-616 For those of us who do not type the MS tablet input panel works great! Every other interface seems lacking. For those of us who do not type the MS tablet input panel works great!
Every other interface seems lacking.

]]> By: JonnyN http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-615 JonnyN Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:36:32 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-615 I'm not a touch typist but I thought that technically you shouldn't rest your hands on the desk - I know people who purposefully move the keyboard to the edge of the desk so that their hands have to hover. The problem with resting the iPad on the desk is that the reverse is not flat - you'll end up chasing it around the desk as you type! Hence the extra accessory as mentioned in the article. On a slightly different note, it seems like a split OSK ensures you can thumb type on a large slate - I think even the 10" Viliv s10 does this from what I remember. I’m not a touch typist but I thought that technically you shouldn’t rest your hands on the desk – I know people who purposefully move the keyboard to the edge of the desk so that their hands have to hover.

The problem with resting the iPad on the desk is that the reverse is not flat – you’ll end up chasing it around the desk as you type! Hence the extra accessory as mentioned in the article.

On a slightly different note, it seems like a split OSK ensures you can thumb type on a large slate – I think even the 10″ Viliv s10 does this from what I remember.

]]> By: raon http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-611 raon Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:42:59 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-611 Surely the problem with big slates, is that they are big slates. Screen sizes over 8" just become unwieldy to hold and operate the OSK whatever they do with the software. Any screen size over 9" and you may as well bolt on a keyboard. Just as MS Tablet PCs like the TC1100 and LE1600 offered a bolt on keyboard, Apple have followed suit (but in portrait!?) Surely the problem with big slates, is that they are big slates. Screen sizes over 8″ just become unwieldy to hold and operate the OSK whatever they do with the software.

Any screen size over 9″ and you may as well bolt on a keyboard. Just as MS Tablet PCs like the TC1100 and LE1600 offered a bolt on keyboard, Apple have followed suit (but in portrait!?)

]]> By: azuredentures http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-610 azuredentures Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:55:20 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-610 when/where was bluetooth keyboard support mentioned? when/where was bluetooth keyboard support mentioned?

]]> By: Schugy http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-609 Schugy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:00:14 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-609 Fix it and pay for it in the appstore? People were crazy enough to buy a dumb iphone though... Fix it and pay for it in the appstore? People were crazy enough to buy a dumb iphone though…

]]> By: Tom Mac http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-608 Tom Mac Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:09:13 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-608 There are prgms that can fix this problem... I still use DIALKEYS on my tablets. It breaks up the qwerty kboard into two halfs in the lower corners of the screen. It's been out since before my Samsung Q1. There are prgms that can fix this problem… I still use DIALKEYS on my tablets. It breaks up the qwerty kboard into two halfs in the lower corners of the screen.
It’s been out since before my Samsung Q1.

]]> By: Schugy http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-599 Schugy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:07:16 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-599 If the resolution in PPI was the same as on the iphone we could split the keyboard to 2 rectangles, one left, one right - a thinner bezel makes thumbs reach more characters. An additional button on the side or on the bottom to raise the OSK might be needed. And maybe you know it already: Companies like CRE have massive glass screens with tactile feedback already! http://www.cre-electronic.de If the resolution in PPI was the same as on the iphone we could split the keyboard to 2 rectangles, one left, one right – a thinner bezel makes thumbs reach more characters.

An additional button on the side or on the bottom to raise the OSK might be needed.

And maybe you know it already:
Companies like CRE have massive glass screens with tactile feedback already!

http://www.cre-electronic.de

]]> By: benz145 http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-597 benz145 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:55:44 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-597 I'm glad you mentioned this. I was about to bring it up in the article, but didn't want to make it too much longer. You are right... we've already been down this path, slate UMPCs were a huge flop because they lacked physical keyboards and their ink input didn't cut it because they didn't have active digitizers. The iPad will have a similar problem. It'll definitely have better OSK performance because of the capacitive screen, and intelligent auto-correcting, but the same core issues remain. I’m glad you mentioned this. I was about to bring it up in the article, but didn’t want to make it too much longer.

You are right… we’ve already been down this path, slate UMPCs were a huge flop because they lacked physical keyboards and their ink input didn’t cut it because they didn’t have active digitizers.

The iPad will have a similar problem. It’ll definitely have better OSK performance because of the capacitive screen, and intelligent auto-correcting, but the same core issues remain.

]]> By: Broker http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-596 Broker Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:35:54 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-596 every mainstream website bashed 2006 UMPC's for this very problem, yet those same websites arent even bringing it up with the iPad. i would even argue that UMPC's did more with the split KB everything from the UI to the KB seems like Apple almost didnt even try with the iPad. as if software wise the real product was scratched & this was thrown together in the last few months. every mainstream website bashed 2006 UMPC’s for this very problem, yet those same websites arent even bringing it up with the iPad. i would even argue that UMPC’s did more with the split KB

everything from the UI to the KB seems like Apple almost didnt even try with the iPad. as if software wise the real product was scratched & this was thrown together in the last few months.

]]> By: midtoad http://www.carrypad.com/2010/02/02/the-big-flaw-with-big-slates-yes-even-the-ipad/#comment-595 midtoad Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:59:47 +0000 http://carrypad.com/?p=936#comment-595 You forgot the third solution. They have said that they will support the use of a bluetooth keyboard, something that many iPhone and iPod Touch users have been asking for a number of years. That concession is convincing proof that on-screen keyboarding on the iPad is not going to work for many people... just like it doesn't for many iPhone users. Good to see Apple providing the option! You forgot the third solution. They have said that they will support the use of a bluetooth keyboard, something that many iPhone and iPod Touch users have been asking for a number of years. That concession is convincing proof that on-screen keyboarding on the iPad is not going to work for many people… just like it doesn’t for many iPhone users. Good to see Apple providing the option!

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