Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

Anything that requires finer precision than is possible with a finger really. Other use cases include selections (graphics and/or text), hitting a link in the browser without having to zoom first or even the stylus virtual keyboard (for those who have been around long enough to remember it).

I'm firmly on the stylus side. Fingers provide very crude accuracy, make the screen dirty and obscure what you're trying to interact with. On the other hand most of us have opposable thumbs, are trained to use them and prefer using a pen or pencil over finger painting most of the time, even (especially) when writing on a small surface like a tiny notebook, cheque or post-it note.

The only UI area where fingers have an advantage over the stylus is the "pressing a button" use case (like when dialing a phone number), but in those cases actual physical buttons would be much better anyway.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

Long live the stylus! As long as I need to click on that tiny 'fullscreen' icon on websites, stylus would be my first choice rather than a finger.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

Hybrid touchscreens are the best of both worlds. They have a capacitive layer over resistive layer, or vice versa. Most manufacturers are just too cheap to implement them.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

I acknowledge that I'm distorting the original point somewhat...

But it depends on how it is being measured. In amount of bits, digital still and video cameras probably take the lead.

And for capacitive screens, one can always use the sausage to cure the lack of stylus.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

I use my stylus 90% of the time. Ive grown up with a dell Axim where it was needed. Its not really needed on the N900 but i like it. I feel more comfortable with it.

I want that choice.

Hell i dont care if the device comes without a stylus but i want a slot where it can be stored easily. I'll pay the extra couple of pounds to buy one. but its no use if there no where to store it.

Basically put im never gonna buy a device without a stylus so why lose my sale. no one is forcing others to use it but give me the choice.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

yeah i will. i take it out almost instinctively. plus it doent leave dirty fingerprints all over the screen


Especially as i often use my phone over lunch at work. somtimes very messy hand. Using my stylus gets my basic plastic low cost stylus in a mess as opposed to curry etc all over my complex expensive phone.

There are many times and people for whom stylus free is just perfect. Ive got no gripe with that.

Apples problem is they decide that their narrow view of a Stylus that should never be needed or wanted is the only view and use there fantastic marketing to persuade people that there view is the correct one and the only sane one. Refusing to accept that other may choose to differ and are not mad for doing so

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

I can use the phone app on the N900 just fine one-handed, and I've seen plenty of people using iPhones one-handed. Web browsing in portrait mode works pretty well one-handed as well, if you're lucky enough to have text that fits on the narrow screen. I just wish there was a portrait-mode on-screen keyboard.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

@benny:
I almost never use my iphone 2 handed, except when I need to type something quickly (or playing games). Otherwise I can type with 1 hand (thumb) on it too. I think only newbies use iphone the way as they show it in the tutorials (one hand holding, the other pointing).

@juise:
the sausage (or the similar ones) suck. It just changes your movement to be similar as you would with a pen, without any added precision. I do have the Pogo sketch stylus.

random replies:
3.5" is too small for writing

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

@benny I also never use my iPhone with two hands. Hold in palm, use thumb, flick as needed with thumb. I can do that, while traveling and holding something in my other hand... much like I tend to do.

I had to pull out my N810 on my last trip, then the stylus... and I was using both hands unable to hold my bag, so I had to set that on the floor while on an airport shuttle. It made for an awkward time, but I needed to get where the heck I had parked quickly.

While both styles have merits, I tend to use my iPhone for quick stuff with one hand - contacts, dialing, answering, notes, looking up stuff, browser... one handed.

Re: Why the stylus isn’t dead
 

Well I noticed one really important use case yesterday. Was having some coffee and eating a donut. Not that good to use the phone with sticky fingers, but stylus works great. I just need to wipe my stylus not the whole phone :)