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Android: Video of on-screen G1 keyboard surfaces
When the T-Mobile G1, the first phone running Google's Android mobile platform, was released two months ago, its greatest asset -- the physical QWERTY keyboard -- also wound up being the devices greatest deficit. Having a physical keyboard is great, especially for e-mail -- but being forced to open up the device every time you want to navigate to a new web page or perform a quick web search is a PITA. I'll be honest: it sucks hardcore.
As our brethren at Engadget pointed out last week, Google has already started work on a new branch of Android, codenamed "cupcake" - which will bring, among other improvements. an actual on-screen keyboard to the platform. SWEET. And although Nokia Internet Tablet owners can already install the latest hotness on their devices (obviously, at your own peril - I doubt it will harm your hardware, but this is still developmental stuff), as you can see from the video above, it looks like developmental G1 units have been able to successfully install some of the new hotness as well.
This is great, great news for Android, the G1 and future handsets.
[via Engadget]
Comments
3
Subscribe to commentsMatt DennerDec 22nd 2008 5:38PM
I'll be honest... I see no reason why I'd rather use an on-screen keyboard instead of flipping out the physical keyboard. Physical keyboards are consistently faster and less error-prone in my experience.
NoahDec 22nd 2008 7:01PM
Most device input is quick entry / quick reply to emails/text messages. In the case of the G1 it requires you opening the device to access the physical keyboard. Having used that device for a week I can tell you it is extremely annoying having to open it up every time you want to input text. I do agree though that a physical keyboard is great for heavy lifting.
What is wrong with having both? I would expect it to disable if the device was open anyway.
jjMar 15th 2009 5:37PM
How can I get the onscreen keyboard software? I hate the keyboard. I can't see it. I just got the white G1 and the keyboard is harder to read than the black one. An onscreen keyboard would be a major help for those of us who are acquiring "old age" eyes.