One thing you could try is to use a Bluetooth or USB based keyboard. Might not meet the "attached" part of what you're thinking, but would provide the flexibility to have a keyboard when needed. I can appreciate the desire for the tactile feel having come from BB phones and others with physical keyboards. If I had to use a keyboard with the Note II, I'd go for one of the options suggested. Tapping into a few things you brought out above, how about a flip cover just like the ones available for the S3 or Note series? Possibly a keyboard could be added into the "smart cover" with the connectivity via Bluetooth or wired via the back panel being the battery cover which in turn is wired into phone power and comms. Bluetooth might be a stretch unless a radio could be that thin and still powered. Or just use NFC for connectivity between the phone and cover keyboard. Probably someone has already file patent(s) for this, but if not we can pair up together