Is it just me, or, should Research in Motion already have come out with a device that looks like this a long time ago? I know that this patent was only published in May of last year, but, one has to ask how a company with the resources of RIM didn’t see that the slide-out keyboard form factor is any area where they could lead the field in smartphones for several years?
I am about to use the term “never”, but, in the technology sense, which only really means the ‘foreseeable future’. Virtual keyboards will never be as good as as physical keyboards. When it comes right down to it, not much of anything with virtual appended to it is as good as the real thing and this is especially true when it comes to keyboards.
Hopefully, RIM has been working on a BlackBerry with a slide-out keyboard for some time, has done a really good job at keeping it under wraps, and will unveil it on the world sometime sometime after the BlackBerry Storm 2 comes out. I hope that they don’t wait for Apple to come out with an iPhone slider first and react to it, kind of like they did with the Storm.
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Is it just me or do smartphones with slide out keyboard look ugly? I think it would be better to keep RIM devices the way they are now, either full touchscreen (storm) or like every other device, bold, tour, curve…
This image is just a scetch. My guess is that a BlackBerry with a slide out keyboard would look a lot like the BlackBerry Storm does now. Maybe just a little bit thicker to accomodate the keyboard.
I know it is just a scetch but it is just plain ugly. I dont know if you guys have actually played with some of those slide out keyboard phones but they are not as good as they look. RIM may come out with a device that will be better but they are just too big, too clunky, to ugly, etc.
Who cares what it looks like…a full screen w/ touch and a slide out keyboard is my personal holy grail from BB…been waiting too long already.
Looking for image and form factor? Purchase an iPhone. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I work with is waiting for touch screen + slide out….seriously. And none of us give a hooey about how it looks as we’re BB diehards through and through and function is numero uno. I guarantee that I’d make the 2 iPhone fanboys at the office jealous when I showed them one….dreaming already…
@Robb
I’ve been on vacation for a since the end of Q2 and haven’t visited much. I like the threaded comments and the new two column layout.
If the Storm2 doesnt have the slider then hopefully some new model will. Id JUMP on something like that. Its comical to think about the old RIM messenger clamshell I used to have. That keyboard worked great!
I’d LOVE to see a Curve with the hybrid keyboard of a Pearl, or something of that nature – perhaps even a slightly larger Pearl. I like the longer slender form factor. The Pearl Flip keyboard is terrific, but the flip doesnt work for me really.
BlackBerry should definitely come out with this. I almost just bought a BlackBerry Storm but I really couldn’t type too good on it because of my nails. I ended up going with the LG EnV Touch because of it’s full keyboard. I guess it isn’t a slide out keyboard because it flips open but I would have gone with the Storm if it had somehting similar.
Couldn’t agree more. BB will see this trend. LG EnV is a great phone, just wish it had BB features. I am a LG finatic who stays with them for the ease of use. BB better get on board and do so quickly.
Agree that it should be have full keyboard. However, it should also maintain a touch screen. By saying that, the device should drop most of the buttons as they just make it hard to use.
Have you seen Microsoft WebTV remove control. So many buttons that it make it actually harder to use.
The keyboard should complement the device, not as the “key” feature. Palm Pre got the right idea to my opinion.
NO slide-out keyboard is needed. Hopefully the Storm II will prove that like the iPhone has proven it loud and clear already. Sure a touch screen is different than having a bunch of plastic buttons taking up space, but after a short learning time you’ll be typing quicker on your touch screen.
Dude, this is just not true. I had an iPhone (now and iPod Touch) and I absolutely loved the device except for the fact that I couldn’t text on the thing effectively, which is what I do most. There were always be a need for a physical keyboard and I will be willing to bet you a dollar that we will eventually see an iPhone with one.
I wish RIM would make a curve 8900 and add a touch screen so that it would function like the ancient Palm centro’s did. No need for a stylus though.
the answer to the title question is YES. And it is rather obvious.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Barbara
http://keyboardpiano.net
Yes, Yes, and Yes. If they don’t act on it in the future, they are likely to loose a bunch of customers who want full screen + keyboard.
YES, they are definitely in the back of the pack here. I have been saying for the last 2 years…”Whoever comes comes out with the first slide or flip FULL (portrait) keyboard, is what I am buying, be it BB or Iphone.” What are they waiting for???