The Complaint Dept!

[ahaxton]

I guess I'm just more flexible. I went from a HTC Evo 4G->Motorola Photon->Samsung Epic 4G Touch->HTC One, all with different power button locations and capacitive button setups (and not one with a physical home button). It never takes more than a couple of days to get used to whatever button setup a particular phone had and move happily about my day. And I've never seen one of those setups as being inherently "better" than another, just different. But then I'm a pretty laid back guy.

 

[madlaw1071]

My best friend, who got the One two days after launch, has trouble adjusting to anything new. She almost refuses to watch a movie she hasn't seen (yeah I know, don't ask) or use electronics she's not used to has not said one thing to me about button placement. So obviously your mileage may vary. As for the home button I can only hope you non Sprint users get the update soon as I've had zero issues with it since the update. I guess if you can't adjust you can't adjust. There's not much more to say.

Side note, I'd be questioning your issues no matter what phone. It's just button placement. So long as the power button isn't on the middle of the back plate I can't say any one manufacturer made a "wrong" choice with their design. Best of luck. I hope you find a device you are happy with. It's just silly when you claim things like unusable and such because the device is not what you are accustomed to.

Why is it silly when many professional reviews have noted the odd power button placement AND the OP has the same issues, with which I am agreeing? There is simply no denying the ergonomics of the One leave much to be desired. Some will choose to overcome it and some will not.

 

[mrbootcrm]

Why is it silly when many professional reviews have noted the odd power button placement AND the OP has the same issues, with which I am agreeing? There is simply no denying the ergonomics of the One leave much to be desired. Some will choose to overcome it and some will not.

It's silly because I doubt any of them said they were unable to use the phone because of it. That is what I'm questioning.

Edit: I like how you said "choose to overcome it" acknowledging that you are able to do it but choose not to.

 

[Darth Mo]

Why is it silly when many professional reviews have noted the odd power button placement AND the OP has the same issues, with which I am agreeing? There is simply no denying the ergonomics of the One leave much to be desired. Some will choose to overcome it and some will not.

It's actually ergonomically correct where the power button is on the one. If you hold the phone flat in your right hand (sorry lefties), your index finger lies naturally right above the button, and the volume rocker is right where your thumb is. Now this will vary some depending on how far away from average size your hand are, but that can't be helped.

You can say it's uncomfortable because it deviates from the norm, and that's fine. But as far as ergonomics go, the phone is spot on down to the curve of the rear side.

But ergonomic design isn't always comfortable right away for everyone.

Kind of reminds me of the split PC keyboards and the ergo mice. They're designed to fit human anatomy, but people become so used to one way everything else is "wrong".

Sent from my HTCONE using Android Central Forums

 

[madlaw1071]

From Droid-Life's review:

"Top Lock Switch

When designing the One, HTC decided to turn the power/lock switch into an IR blaster that could be used to turn your phone into a TV remote. It?s a neat idea, aside from the placement of the button being in the worst possible position on any phone in the history of phones. The button is situated at the top left of the One when it?s facing you, making it impossible to press without completely adjusting the phone in your hand. In fact, I gave up on one-handed operation of the One?s power button from the beginning and opted to use two for the most part. The button also sits mostly flush to the phone, so there are times when you feel like two or three presses have gone by without the phone reacting."

From ZDnet's review:

"Not everyone will like the power button's location on the top edge, the convention with larger handsets being that side-mounted buttons are easier to access."

From Techworld's review:

"We found the top mounted power button on the HTC One, which also acts as an Infrared port, is almost impossible to press when using the phone single handedly. The optimal position for the power button on a large smartphone is on the right side, as this allows one-handed access. The HTC One's power button is awkward to press without avoiding an uncomfortable grip."

From Techmagz:

"HTC mobile devices are usually designed to have the power button located on top but with the design and size of the phone it seems to be awkwardly placed over the top. Many prefer that the power button is placed on the side for better convenience and accessibility."

I could go on if you like.

- - - Updated - - -

It's silly because I doubt any of them said they were unable to use the phone because of it. That is what I'm questioning.

Edit: I like how you said "choose to overcome it" acknowledging that you are able to do it but choose not to.

LOL I said some, didnt mean me. And again, it's just ONE reason why it's not my daily driver.

 

[mrbootcrm]

I have medium (small if you consider my height) hands. I wear medium gloves because large is too big. I have no problems using this phone one handed with either hand. I don't see "nearly impossible" or "worst placement" as being a good description of the power button. Unless every one of those reviewers has the hands of a toddler I'm calling bs. The point is a lot of us have zero issues with the button placement on the One and others will even prefer it so I would suggest instead of saying "this can't be used" maybe ask "what methods do you guys use to use it one handed because I'm having difficulty?"

 

[madlaw1071]

I have medium (small if you consider my height) hands. I wear medium gloves because large is too big. I have no problems using this phone one handed with either hand. I don't see "nearly impossible" or "worst placement" as being a good description of the power button. Unless every one of those reviewers has the hands of a toddler I'm calling bs. The point is a lot of us have zero issues with the button placement on the One and others will even prefer it so I would suggest instead of saying "this can't be used" maybe ask "what methods do you guys use to use it one handed because I'm having difficulty?"

You're beating a dead horse mate. It's a personal preference. You like the power button, great on you. For myself, the OP and obviously many others, it's poor. If it were my only issue with the One I might be able to get past it but there are too many others. It's still a great device and if I don't get it back from my wife, I may buy a 3rd one to play with on weekends. It's just not my choice for daily use.

 

[bembol]

I posted some of these complaints many times, the reason is because I also have the S4 and it bothers me some of the decisions hTc made.

It takes 1-2 hour longer than the S4, it doesn't bother but why disable the Notification Light?

The Power Button/IR Blaster, it's awkward but placing it in the centre would've been so much better/easier.

Why change the STANDARD android keys (Back, Home & Menu). Why didn't they use their hTc logo as a Home key and the Back button should've been placed on the right side.

 

[mrbootcrm]

You're beating a dead horse mate. It's a personal preference. You like the power button, great on you. For myself, the OP and obviously many others, it's poor. If it were my only issue with the One I might be able to get past it but there are too many others. It's still a great device and if I don't get it back from my wife, I may buy a 3rd one to play with on weekends. It's just not my choice for daily use.

Fair enough, but can I suggest when you post you say "I cannot get accustomed to the button placement"? I love how forums can help people but when they get filled with purely subjective but definitive statements I think the helpful aspect gets thrown out the window. I really despise how people have to wade through posts of "this phone sucks because I don't like X!!1" just to find out how to solve a problem they are having. Not aimed at you madlaw but I'm just ranting I guess. I see your issue but your approach is somewhat distasteful IMHO. I'm glad Samsung is able to suit your needs because that is the single best part of Android, choice. Enjoy what you enjoy.

 

[madlaw1071]

Fair enough, but can I suggest when you post you say "I cannot get accustomed to the button placement"? I love how forums can help people but when they get filled with purely subjective but definitive statements I think the helpful aspect gets thrown out the window. I really despise how people have to wade through posts of "this phone sucks because I don't like X!!1" just to find out how to solve a problem they are having. Not aimed at you madlaw but I'm just ranting I guess. I see your issue but your approach is somewhat distasteful IMHO. I'm glad Samsung is able to suit your needs because that is the single best part of Android, choice. Enjoy what you enjoy.

My approach? Dude, this aint my thread and you chose to respond. Everything is subjective. Some say Star Trek sucked some loved it. Same for phones.

 

[mrbootcrm]

I posted some of these complaints many times, the reason is because I also have the S4 and it bothers me some of the decisions hTc made.

It takes 1-2 hour longer than the S4, it doesn't bother but why disable the Notification Light?

The Power Button/IR Blaster, it's awkward but placing it in the centre would've been so much better/easier.

Why change the STANDARD android keys (Back, Home & Menu). Why didn't they use their hTc logo as a Home key and the Back button should've been placed on the right side.

Standard android keys are from left to right, back > home > multitasking. Check a Nexus device.

 

[madlaw1071]

Standard android keys are from left to right, back > home > multitasking. Check a Nexus device.

The Samsung Nexus S4 has (from left to right) menu, HOME, back.

 

[mrbootcrm]

The Samsung Nexus S4 has (from left to right) menu, HOME, back.

Not a Nexus device. But I laughed regardless. Good on you sir.

 

[madlaw1071]

Not a Nexus device. But I laughed regardless. Good on you sir.

But it is a Nexus device, or are we quibbling over it being a Nexus Experience device?

 

[ffejjj]

Personally I like the new button layout. I hold my phone with my right hand and power on with my right index finger. Easier with the button on the other side. That's my opinion.

What I don't understand is everyone hating on madlaw for his opinion? It's just how he prefers it. Seems simple to me

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

 

[Darth Mo]

Personally I like the new button layout. I hold my phone with my right hand and power on with my right index finger. Easier with the button on the other side. That's my opinion.

What I don't understand is everyone hating on madlaw for his opinion? It's just how he prefers it. Seems simple to me

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

Yeah that's the way I hold it too and makes reached the button easy. But I'm coming from the EVO series where the power button was on the top right. That was very difficult to press with the index finger one-handed without dropping the phone as the versions got larger. Sliding your index finger over usually pulled your other fingers from the left side of the device and that made it very easy to drop such a slim phone. But still, I am accustomed to the button being on top of the phone so the button moved to the left side is a very welcome touch.

As for the reaction towards madlaw, well that's par for the course in this forum or pretty much any other. Slamming a device based on personal preference over actual function will always solicit a malicious response.

 

[madlaw1071]

Yeah that's the way I hold it too and makes reached the button easy. But I'm coming from the EVO series where the power button was on the top right. That was very difficult to press with the index finger one-handed without dropping the phone as the versions got larger. Sliding your index finger over usually pulled your other fingers from the left side of the device and that made it very easy to drop such a slim phone. But still, I am accustomed to the button being on top of the phone so the button moved to the left side is a very welcome touch.

As for the reaction towards madlaw, well that's par for the course in this forum or pretty much any other. Slamming a device based on personal preference over actual function will always solicit a malicious response.

what does that mean "personal preference over actual function"? Isn't everything about a phone personal preference?

 

[Darth Mo]

what does that mean "personal preference over actual function"? Isn't everything about a phone personal preference?

An example of actual function would be the horrendous bug in pre-Jellybean Sense on the Evo 4G LTE where it would cause the contacts, dialer, and messaging app to lag anywhere from ten seconds to upwards of a minute. That's not a matter of preference but the phone severely malfunctioning so that is worthy of a "slam."

Sent from my HTCONE using Android Central Forums

 

[Aquila]

I agree about the power button on the One being in a less than ideal place, but disagree about Samsung's solution being better for the navigation buttons. A menu button shouldn't exist, Samsung knows this, they made the first device to adopt the new standards and then reverted to something worse immediately after. This is by far the best argument for soft keys that can be made, in that users can put whatever buttons they want, wherever they want or choose to have none at all, use Pie, etc. I could get over the home button if the other two were correct, but the back button is on the wrong side and the menu button is just sad.

 

[LegalAmerican]

Fair enough, but can I suggest when you post you say "I cannot get accustomed to the button placement"? I love how forums can help people but when they get filled with purely subjective but definitive statements I think the helpful aspect gets thrown out the window. I really despise how people have to wade through posts of "this phone sucks because I don't like X!!1" just to find out how to solve a problem they are having. Not aimed at you madlaw but I'm just ranting I guess. I see your issue but your approach is somewhat distasteful IMHO. I'm glad Samsung is able to suit your needs because that is the single best part of Android, choice. Enjoy what you enjoy.

I have to actually say here that most people on these forums are capable of reading posts like those you're refrencing without it coming off as unhelpful or detrimental to the overall quality of the discussion. I LOVE hearing people's personal opinions. That doesn't mean I mistake them for fact or vast majority. I don't own the One, but I am interested in it and I am enjoying this thread for the things being discussed. I appreciate your opinion as much as anyone else's. I don't see the need for fighting this battle that is being fought about button placement. Obviously some will like it and some wont. Why isn't that okay?