(POLL) Do you want Android phones to lose their capacitive buttons?

[Jalarm]

I have always liked android's button scheme but now with ICS the rumor is they are going to be software. I really don't like the idea because I feel it will just take up more of the screen, and with phones like a N1 or NS that get ICS, the buttons that we already have will just be useless. So I was wondering if anyone knew some pros of having software buttons on phones?

 

[Major]

Perhaps the software will detect the hardware buttons and bypass the software buttons.

 

[rem_kujawa]

Why would they make the buttons useless on the nexus line, that would be the biggest mistake ever.

 

[srkmagnus]

Why would they make the buttons useless on the nexus line, that would be the biggest mistake ever.

I agree. There will be a solution to the button issues if ics is released to the nexus phones.

I suspect phones will be just fine if the buttons are lost.

 

[rem_kujawa]

I just don't see this happening, it would be a stupid move on Googles part.

 

[Johnly]

Buttons suck. I would be fine without them as long as they don't become that awful iphone sunken hardware button... That is worse I think.

 

[Jalarm]

Buttons suck. I would be fine without them as long as they don't become that awful iphone sunken hardware button... That is worse I think.

How do they suck? I love the 4 main buttons of android.

 

[Johnly]

They aren't that bad in reality man, and I prefer them over iphones hardware badankadunk. I just like it clean and minimal. I would prefer screen there instead with those 4 redundant actions to only show if I say "swipe up" or something. I know lots of people love them and I suspect they aren't going away any time soon.

 

[dchawk81]

It's not as if the capacitive buttons do anything when the screen is off, so moving them to the screen won't hurt. What manufacturers of high end phones will do is make the screen taller to take up the current button space to compensate, at least when in portrait orientation. There will likely be a way to lock them to that location via software so that it'll be no different than it is now for those who prefer it.

 

[Dark Wizard Matoya]

I honestly could go either way. I don't mind the capacitance buttons, but if they move them to the screen and do it well then that's fine too.

 

[Officerpolabear]

This could be a good and a bad thing. The good thing: the buttons are consistent; no more random orders of the buttons from manufacturers. Bad thing: They will need to figure out a way to make the buttons appear on screen when watching a movie or something. But then again, that can be countered with a physical button that brings up the buttons

 

[Jalarm]

It's not as if the capacitive buttons do anything when the screen is off, so moving them to the screen won't hurt. What manufacturers of high end phones will do is make the screen taller to take up the current button space to compensate, at least when in portrait orientation. There will likely be a way to lock them to that location via software so that it'll be no different than it is now for those who prefer it.

But think of a phone that will get ICS, without a taller screen, isn't it going to get cramped? Now I do trust google to make this work well, so we will see.

 

[Ronindan]

I have a wait and see approach on this one. If Google reserve a dock where you can park your most used icons or programs then I guess it is okay for me. But if they don't then I do see the need for the capacitive buttons.

 

[Johnly]

What is that launcher called when you swipe up? Go launcher? Anyway, that would be killer to swipe up, then without lifting a finger, rock left or right to said action, lift and pow! I really only use the menu and home button, once in a blue moon the other two are summoned. They need to go away, but carefully as many people love them. I would be happy if they stayed too, but in a uniform way. Maybe a optical eye? Yes, the would be much better, and could include much more functions.

 

[dchawk81]

But think of a phone that will get ICS, without a taller screen, isn't it going to get cramped? Now I do trust google to make this work well, so we will see.

Simple. Don't buy the phone without the taller screen. Let the manufacturer know it's a fail.

 

[STL 314]

No that would be a terrible idea