How is your Droid KEYBOARD EXPERIENCE?

**ali.fazal** · 01-02-2010, 02:00 PM

Well, after having the phone for about 2 weeks-- I can say that I'm finally used to the hardware keyboard.

Initially, when I tried the model in the store, I thought I would never be able to get used to it, but it's working out fine now. There are still mistakes sometimes, and I can never fly on it like I could on a BB Tour, but it's definitely way more usable.

The landscape keyboard works decently well for me, since it's so roomy, but I just prefer the hardware keys.

Portrait keyboard is too small to to anything except reply shortly to a SMS, but I'm glad it's there.

Trying out Swype-- will see how that goes.

Am I also the only one who doesn't prefer 'Better Keyboard'-- I find no difference in responsiveness from Stock, only that it has the numbers as alternate keys, which is not really that useful for me.

**Adrynalyne** · 01-02-2010, 02:03 PM

Now that I am used to the Droid slide out keyboard, Im perfectly ok with it.

**tealturboser** · 01-02-2010, 02:07 PM

I use the slide out and swype when I need to do something fast.

**Cory Streater** · 01-02-2010, 02:11 PM

Ali, my experience mirrors yours. I had a heck of a time going from the Touch Pro 2 keyboard to the Droid's, but I'm "used" to the Droids now. The one thing that I don't like is that using the hardware keyboard means giving up any spell checking functionality.

**ChocoBilly** · 01-02-2010, 02:12 PM

I know my post won´t answer the question, but i had an urge to reply:

I don´t use the keyboard. I would if it was something more like that Calgary design.

**ali.fazal** · 01-02-2010, 02:18 PM

8notime-- It's so funny how people have different user experiences. I actually HATE the spell-checking which is the main reason I DONT use the landscape soft keyboard.

There are just too many words that I use that it doesn't know, and will want to change. I think I need to take the time to add to the dictionary though, so I might make myself use only the soft keyboard for a few days.

**Cory Streater** · 01-02-2010, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by ali.fazal

8notime-- It's so funny how people have different user experiences. I actually HATE the spell-checking which is the main reason I DONT use the landscape soft keyboard.

There are just too many words that I use that it doesn't know, and will want to change. I think I need to take the time to add to the dictionary though, so I might make myself use only the soft keyboard for a few days.

Just to clarify what I mean by spell checking, I meant an option to spell check after I've finished composing a message, not while I'm composing. In Windows Mobile, I could hit the right soft key, and select spell check, right before sending, just to make sure I spelled everything correctly.

**bmxfreak995** · 01-02-2010, 02:51 PM

For a while i felt like i was the only one who really enjoyed the droids slide out keyboard. I've got larger hands so it wasn't really a big deal to have the d pad offset the keyboard. doesn't slow me down from sending 15,000 + messages a month.

**Drybonz** · 01-02-2010, 03:14 PM

I have barely used the hardware keyboard. The stock keyboard was so-so. Swype is great and fun to use.

**Zorro1** · 01-02-2010, 03:17 PM

I'm disappointed in it. I come from a Palm Centro (leetle itty bitty keyboard) and so figured about anything else would be better. Not so. While it is larger, I can type no more quickly or accurately due to the design. I often hit the key below, and end up deleting a lot. I do love the cursor, it's a must have in spreadsheet world.

**nbobimchak** · 01-02-2010, 04:35 PM

I don't have a lot of QWERTY keyboard experience, but the hardware board has been adequate for me. I usually use the soft keyboard, but I've been using the hardware one more and more, ever since I installed HTC's "Touch Input" APK. It gives the hardware keyboard spellcheck/ predictave typing, which certainly helps the flat keys.

**ali.fazal** · 01-02-2010, 04:48 PM

I agree that the D-Pad is indeed useful and I'm glad I have it.

Coming from a Pre, it is super frustrating to try and accurately touch the area of the message you want to edit. I would usually just delete the whole message and start over.

I don't mind having the keyboard be off-set (nothing like the G1 imo, it's not thaaat bad) for the D-pad.

**CyD13** · 01-02-2010, 05:48 PM

Droid is the first phone I've had with a full keyboard (virtual or physical) so I'm quite happy with it. I actually like using all of the keyboards.

Originally Posted by nbobimchak

I don't have a lot of QWERTY keyboard experience, but the hardware board has been adequate for me. I usually use the soft keyboard, but I've been using the hardware one more and more, ever since I installed HTC's "Touch Input" APK. It gives the hardware keyboard spellcheck/ predictave typing, which certainly helps the flat keys.

Any chance you could link me? Or is that illegal? A hint?

**nbobimchak** · 01-02-2010, 10:33 PM

I have no idea about the legality, but all the info you'll need can be found here:

**CyD13** · 01-03-2010, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by nbobimchak

I have no idea about the legality, but all the info you'll need can be found here:

Ah thanks! I tried it out and I liked it with the physical keyboard, but because it was made for a smaller screen, the landscape keyboard was affected and became smaller. Sadly, this is a no-no for me so I had to uninstall. :[

Oh well.

**chuckz28** · 01-03-2010, 07:14 AM

I can't stand the physical keyboard. Had the Droid since launch day and haven't ever gotten used to it so only time it comes out is when I need to copy/paste. Right off the bat I was typing faster than my storm using the landscape virtual keyboard and it has only gotten faster with the plus of my thumb joints feeling better from not having to press. I have gotten much better using the portrait QWERTY too. I tried swype but it was far too unnatural to me. I have to think about what I am going to swype before hand and not having to press space bar freaks me out. After a day I gave up with poor results. I think I have only used the d-pad twice too.

**dtrust** · 01-03-2010, 07:57 AM

I still don't use the hardware keyboard, except very occasionally. I just like the normal on-screen portrait keyboard. It always amazes me how well the predictive text works.

Maybe I'm a little stubborn, but I never got beyond typing just with one finger. :-)
I'm actually pretty fast that way. Just don't even look to see whether it's correct or not until I'm done with the message. Scary how well it works, expecially considering I know I'm not hitting all the correct keys for any particular word. Showed it to a co-worker and he just laughed at how accurate it was. Couldn't believe it.

Tried Sywpe, but couldn't get used to it, although it is pretty darn neat. Maybe I'll try it again sometime.

**Zorro1** · 01-03-2010, 08:51 AM

Chuck, you've found a way to copy/paste? This is a major shortcoming in the software. Major.

**largeselection** · 01-03-2010, 01:31 PM

I like the keyboard and love it for apps when I need the full screen real estate. I find myself using the swype keyboard most of the time tho these days.

**CharlieL3** · 01-03-2010, 02:35 PM

I have large thumbs, and do not get along with the hardware keyboard at all. The portrait on-screen keyboard has worked really well for me. I come from a Palm Treo background, and the small keyboard is about the same size.

If the hardware keyboard were more textured and I could feel the buttons better, I might use it. But I haven't missed it much at all.

**Snipperdo17** · 01-03-2010, 03:51 PM

The one problem I have with this phone is the typing/keyboards. I came from a tour and storm2 and I absolutely love the typing on those. I could type faster on the S2 than any other phone I have ever had. I always make mistakes on the droid and the auto correct isn't as good as the storms. I hardly ever use the slide out keyboard because it is just awkward to use. Other than that typing the phone is awesome.

**TvTechGuru** · 01-04-2010, 01:30 AM

I must admit it's not as great as my Blackberry Curve was. I could type really fast on that.

As for the on-screen keyboard for the Droid, I can't do it. I can't successfully type sentences, maybe it's because of my large fingertips. As for the physical, I'm still getting used to it after 2 months. And I still can't type as fast as I could with my old BB Curve.

**li2327** · 01-04-2010, 02:21 AM

I got use to the keyboard really quick. It did take a little getting use to.

**STC09** · 01-04-2010, 10:52 AM

The physical keyboard is easily the worst feature of the phone. It's very poorly laid out and the ergonomics are terrible. The cursor control should be on the side opposite the antenna lip so the keys aren't shifted so far to the left that it becomes painful to type. Hate it, hate it, hate it.

It wouldn't be an issue if the virtual keyboard weren't buggy.