New keyboard layout, fancy it?

[cee-dee]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22283117

I suppose people who "grow up" only using the KALQ keyboard on mobile devices would find it difficult if they "resort" to using a "proper" keyboard with the familiar (to us?) QWERTY layout?

Has it really beem "optimised" enough do you think?

The comments following the item are not very favourable so what's your take on it?

[mitzigirl_123]

Hmm ... it's different I'll give it that - I'll reserve my judgment until I've actually tried it out. 

It will be interesting to see whether this opens up the floodgates for potential "RSI" claims or "Trigger Finger".

[cee-dee]

Leaving aside mobile devices, I can't really see any advantage in using touchscreen "technology" in a desktop environment?

At times, I wonder at the sanity of people who can't seem to go anywhere without clutching their comforter whether it be a tablet computer clasped in their hands, a mobile phone clamped to their ear or a plastic bottle containing (very expensive) water clutched in their hand?

[mitzigirl_123]

I have a contract phone and on upgrade I thought I would try out a touchscreen phone - big mistake - it is so sensitive that it takes me far longer to obtain someone's number and then dial it than a simple push button 'scroll down' phone - the more sophisticated they become the less user friendly they are - heaven forbid I should ever have to make an emergency call.

I am of the old school ... when you talk with someone you look at them, I am still trying to get my head round having a conversation with someone who has one eye on you and the other on their mobile phones - it's rude, impersonal and leaves me cold - no wonder people have difficulty in making and sustaining relationships.

[cee-dee]

Some of the conversations you overhear are hardly necessary and such a waste of time?

The thing is, I was only thinking about "new, improved" technology and where this push for overcomplication started. I concluded that it was in the early days of chip technology and you'd hear something like (for instance) "If I apply 5 volts to pin 10 and ground pin 15, I can make it do this........"

When asked what was the point of that you'd be looked at as if you'd dropped off the Moon and get told "Huh, it's really neat though isn't it?"

As with the phone, many, many things have far, far to many complicating options that will be rarely used and they're all the product of people who "can make it do......." this, that or the other for no other reason than "it's really neat?"

[al**bear]

Been looking for a new smart-Phone with a real Qwerty keyboard for a few months now

Anyone got any ideas,

Blackberry Torch (got a small screen)

Nokia E7

Sony x10 (not exactly large either)

these seem to be the latest (but are a fgew years old now)

[al**bear]

I have used a touchscreen phone an HTC and found it useless,  got a loan of a nokia couple of weeks ago, didn't like that touchscreen either

as for Touchscreen  PCs, I think the disastrous sales of Windows 8 for the home market, answers that

[cee-dee]

I see Apple are going to declare the original iPhone obsolete shortly?

Nice of them? All part and parcel of the continuing pursuit of something "different" for no real advantage?

Yes, I can see that a touchscreen tablet device might be handy for just hopping between applications or sites but as for actually doing much with it other than that, I can't see the usefulness and in fact I think it's detrimental.

They're handy to be "out-and-about" but if you're out-and-about do you really, really NEED to be fiddling with the thing?

[duck_a_lorange]

It will be interesting to see whether this opens up the floodgates for potential "RSI" claims or "Trigger Finger".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22283117

Heavens, yes..  See the bottom corners of that gadget in the picture in the link? They are pushing down directly on the carpal tunnel of each hand. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night with your hand a giant lobster-claw of red-hot pain the size of a rugby ball. (Not literally that size - that's what nerve pain feels like.)