devu | # 21 | 2010-06-19, 21:50 | Report

It make sense on this Samsung tablet since you holding it that way and your fingers sticking out in that particular angle. I just could find justification for N900. Its not the way I'm holding this device.. also I noticed if curve of the keyboard is stronger typing getting harder. Actually that could be adjustable. Some custom settings or something... at least we have very custom hands I guess
Another one thing... space available and size of the keys are very crucial variable for N900.

However I've asked some programmers here, about possibilities to implement this idea to N900. The answer usually is "very long and hard work to do" I don't truly understand what Maemo GUI system can or can't do in terms of design flexibility. But it's just to primitive. Everything seems to be gray rounded boxes based. However it's very similar mechanism working behind clock settings but I guess it's custom build.

I've got some idea for enchantments. Same type of keyboard but instead of sliding sets. Each key could reveal next 3/4 keys. Quick mockup.



What would you prefer? Slide whole set or expand key after hold your finger for more than 0.5 sec?

devu | # 22 | 2010-06-19, 22:20 | Report

BTW IPad users are end up with this issue (and proposition to solve it).



It seems like the iPad’s keyboard, in landscape mode, leaves you no choice but to hold the device in one hand and hunt-n-peck with the other. Product designers will probably agree with me If I'll say how Apple proved they are not good designers, if overlooked very important functionality on the rush to oversize iPhone.

However, Seems Google took a lesson and is already working on it

http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/N...-OS-tablet-UI/

But still Samsung you showed above is the winner for me.

And because of sizes purposes, conditions and circumstances I personally thinking there is no universal solution like standard keyboard layout. All of the devices are for human being, right?

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Last edited by devu; 2010-06-19 at 22:27.

devu | # 23 | 2010-06-20, 01:44 | Report

Another one approach.




This shape has potential.
In triangle you will always find enough space for finger.
And there is less space waste. I'm thinking now to mix this solution with previous one...

jmc8501 | # 24 | 2010-06-21, 15:54 | Report

The "hidden keys" or 3/4ths layout is a nice idea, but I don't think it would be practical for speed (which is my major issue). The "triangle-key" layout (above) is a shape I've never seen before, and it could really work nicely.

Customization is always nice, but I can see how implementations would be "very long and hard work to do." It's basically why the maemo OS updates updates take so "long." However, I think it would be worth it. Maybe it could be a paid download, that way it would be worth it to put in the programming time.

Generally speaking, the biggest problem is that apps in our community are not made with an eye towards profit (aside from the small market share). Not always a bad thing, since most are making programs for love of the device (and free too!), but we need more mainstream awareness if just to get people to spend time on programming and receive just rewards.

devu | # 25 | 2010-06-21, 20:02 | Report

I'm listing intently to your feedback's and its always important to hear other users opinion. But I have to say something about Open Source behind our community.

Creativity cost you nothing especially if you like to think. Both programming/development and design are required skills but 90% of susses is idea behind implementation.

That's why Open Source even exist because couple of folks love to write couple lines of code, enjoying it and is easy to say I don't wont any penny for that. I'm pretty sure if they will go to work for 40h per week working for some company for free because they love their profession Open Source would never took place.

By this analogy designers/artists are quite similar and they can do a lot and contribute many things to this community. Thinking cost me nothing even if I'm on the way to my work I can always open my scratch app .

The problem is somehow OS programmers don't care how stuff looks like. Designers don't care how it works. This is pretty much the same issue between Architect vs Engineer in construction area. But if both are working together we have some iconic buildings around the world that everyone will agree it's masterpiece of architecture and great peace of engineering.

Commercial world founded solution to put them working together.
Money.

OS community have some solution and its out there, ready to go. For both sides what driven creativity is Love to what both are doing separately. So.. join the forces and understand importance of each other profession. Otherwise there is no future for Open Source.

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Last edited by devu; 2010-06-21 at 20:05.

devu | # 26 | 2010-06-21, 20:24 | Report

Ok. Going back to further investigation.
I was playing with triangles a lot for one reason.

To simplify shape of 1 button for easier programming implementation.
And that works but it doesn't work on bended shapes as well as initial idea. Still custom shapes required if Ergonomy is the most important for this task.

Next shape to investigate was natural step from triangles pattern unification. Eclipse. But quickly I've realized why people love blackberry keyboard. I have to say that without doubt I see a lot of product designers work behind this solution.





However this is Hardware Keyboard and depend of angle of bend can works better for 2 thumbs (1st picture) or only one (2nd). Never for both with the same comfort. But make sense to choice one depend of shape of handset. In our case we still talking about device that can work in landscape and portrait mode.

That was my start point


Or



Eclipse shape of buttons if bended/curved has one good property.
They can start overlap each other and take relatively less space.
(You can see how much space I won with the same finger print pattern)

Easy for implementation since it's base on only one universal shape. And I think if somebody could implement this idea to Maemo that's the best candidate to me.

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Last edited by devu; 2010-06-21 at 20:29.

devu | # 27 | 2010-06-21, 20:36 | Report

However.... apart of what IMHO is the best for Maemo (post above)

This is what I end up with for Flaemo project.
There is a little study as well Is collection of all ideas end experiences during design process.



I am happy with that and going to work out some details yet. But definitely this is direction. Some test are showing me it's very comfy.
But of course it's me only