Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

What do you guys think of having capacitive keyboard buttons instead of the traditional push button. I think that's a unique feature Nokia can add to their phones that other manufacturers haven't used yet. Think the power button on the PS3. In the past Nokia has always been ahead of the curve hardware wise, but as of late they have been playing catch up for the most part.

Here are some of the benefits

• Visually Appealing
• less effort to 'press'; A light touch activates the button
• add border around each key to give it a physical feel
• uses less vertical space then traditional keys and results in an overall thinner device

What do you guys think?

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

IMO it would make typing even slower, so I'd pass on that one.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

It solves one, but not all, of the drawbacks of onscreen keyboards used with capacitive devices.

I suppose, in that Star Trek TNG way.

The effort required with the current keyboard is already extremely low, the removal of tactile feedback is one of the other drawbacks.

Which would help with alignment, I suppose.

In this case I'd just as soon have the keyboard replaced by an OLED, so it too would be a reconfigurable display.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

I'd prefer real physical keys.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

I think my experience with physical keys has been warped a bit. The last phone I used that had physical keys was the N97 and it felt like i had to mash the keys to get them to press. I've heard the n900 is much better with this but I don't have any first hand experience with it.

I personally type way faster with the iPhone keyboard then any other phone I've used so maybe I'm slightly partial to the light touch typing capacitive offers.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

I don't like the thought. Though with tactile feedback and a border, it would be liveable, but.. It doesn't appeal to me.

The worst kind of remotes I know are these: http://www.justkenwood.co.uk/images/...300/kcar6a.jpg

They have both tactile feedback and physical borders but they're in no way a match for real buttons of any kind.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

And losing the proper haptic feedback? Sorry, but no thanks.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

no way! my initial requirement for a smartphone before i discovered the N900 was a slide out hardware keyboard!

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

You should check this Nokia patent released two months ago. Link (Pdf)

It's describes keypad consisting of:
1.Top layer
2. Light layer - for displaying diffrent key layouts.
3. Capacitive layer - for sensing touch
4. Piezo layer - for pressure sensitivity and haptic feedback

"One advantage of the invention is that it allows for the construction of a very thin keypad. Another advantage of the invention is that it provides for an adaptive keypad that can have different layouts. Yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides for a keypad that provides haptic feedback."

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

Looks like they are ahead of me. That's perfect, tactile feedback with capacitive touch. I hope we see this implemented soon!

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

NEVER ! I don't like capacitive as a screen technology very much. Enough that the hype it created (yes, I know, the iphone has it so it must be one of the keys for success) makes it being pushed on every phone. Why would I want it ruining my keyboard too.
If you like capacitive keyboards just get a phone without a keyboard with the added benefit of less weight :)

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

It could work for a luxury-line phone. You know one of those that cost a fortune and run S40 1st edition or stuff, but look really good. Put in an OS that would support this kind of touch input and let people play the worm game with it looking bling.

In all seriousness, I would bet that a manufacturer like LG would be the company coming out with something like this.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

Being able to rest your fingers on it would be a deal breaker for me - I want to be able to slide my fingers across all the buttons but only press them when I actually want to press a button.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

Having capacitive keyboard just for shiny-shiny sake is pointless... you'll probably ride a small wave of hype, but there's gotta be something behind it to sustain the sales/adoption rate.

Now, if that capacitive screen is meant to be used for a broader range of functions (Gaming input, multitouch apps input, etc); then that'd be pretty neat.

ps: oh lookie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8V2IiGCfY

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

Hit the nail on the head there I think.

I rested my fingers on the keyboard, and right now on my laptop I do. For me, it's got to be one or the other. I'm sure they can make much thinner button keyboards which have a decent feel too them.

Re: Capacitive keyboard keys?
 

I'd rather have e-ink backed keyboard keys. Physical keys like the N900's but with an eink background that changes depending on context.

Completely not practical but would be awesome nonetheless.