[easydoesit99]

i have had my PB since the day it was available. i am soooo tired of the keyboard. Come on RIM. Get your stuff together! The product is pretty much impossible to type an email with, let alone try to enter a subject into Google search engine. And the delay when typing in BBM is disgraceful.

I know everyone wants apps, but the keyboard needs to be a higher priority. maybe the next update will fix these issues and thats why the apps are lagging.

[mmcpher]

That's funny, because I've found the onscreen keyboard much easier to type on than I would ever have thought. Not flawless, of course, but the best one I've used. I hit the "n" instead of the spacebar sometimes and there are some needed tweaks (demote the language globe and utilize that space). I have a decent bluetooth keyboard but often I don't bother with it because the onscreen will do for emails, BBMs, posts, etc. Spell check would be nice but that is so even when I'm on the physical keyboard. And I've never had a lag. I much prefer this keyboard to the one you get with the leaked Android player too.

[inocent3]

I have a bluetooth keyboard as well, but I only use it when im going to be doing alot of emails. I too think the keyboard could use some work (spell check PLEASE!) otherwise I am a happy Playbook owner.

[greatwiseone]

Turn the typing volume all the way up and it feels a bit like a vibration feedback...i find that it's easier to type that way. Having used touch screen keyboards on WinMo2003SE, WinMo5, WinMo6.5, Android, iOS, and BB Torch, I find the PB on screen keyboard to be pretty good...

[chefey]

i agree. the typing is pretty spot on. i would also like a spell check as well as a tab key and/ or arrows.

[DD1968]

That's funny, because I've found the onscreen keyboard much easier to type on than I would ever have thought. Not flawless, of course, but the best one I've used. I hit the "n" instead of the spacebar sometimes and there are some needed tweaks (demote the language globe and utilize that space).

I agree the keyboard is much better than I expected - I however hit the bezel instead of the spacebar a lot - would LOVE auto cap, double space full stops (periods lol) and a cursor like in word to go... Other than that it's pretty nice...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[ssbtech]

I don't think the keyboard itself is the problem, it's the lack of autocorrect functionality that kills it.

[FF22]

As I've suggested before - I want a right diagonal swipe from the bottom right corner to open a cursor keypad. left/right/up/down/home/end....

[simsim]

i have had my PB since the day it was available. i am soooo tired of the keyboard. Come on RIM. Get your stuff together! The product is pretty much impossible to type an email with, let alone try to enter a subject into Google search engine. And the delay when typing in BBM is disgraceful.

I know everyone wants apps, but the keyboard needs to be a higher priority. maybe the next update will fix these issues and thats why the apps are lagging.

I suppose everything should be judged in degrees. Some think it is great just the way it is. Some think it could be a tiny bit better. Yet others think it should be more than a tiny bit better.

I'm in the second group. I think it is one of the best touch keyboards I have used, but would like the BB autocorrect and shortcuts/tricks added.

As for you? You're just talking crazy!

[laurah2215]

I find the keyboard to be unintuitive. Why can't it behave more like your BB keyboard? This is a primary reason why I don't use my PB a lot. I find the basic functionality of the PB to be lacking. I'm not upset that its missing applications or anything, just that RIM did not put much thought into functionality (keyboard, home screen icons, bookmarks etc).

[eds817]

I find the keyboard very easy to use. Just like it was mentioned before it would be nice to have tab & arrow keys.

[wallyrulz]

To say that the keyboard is better than expected would be like getting in a 25 year old Chevette and saying that it was better than expected because it actually moved forward.

The keyboard is awful. If you think it is great, I just don't know what to say to you.

#1 No predictive ability whatsoever. Pocket PCs running windows mobile over ten years ago had this. The fact that it is not on the playbook is just plain stupid. I had a motorola dumb phone with just a number pad in 2002. T9 on that dumbphone was faster. This is probably the biggest playbook disappointment for me.

#2 No arrow keys. Are you kidding me? So let me get this straight, if there is a mistake (and there will be a lot because of point #1), then I have to keep pressing over and over until I select the exact location before I can correct an error? I usually just try to get 4 or 5 letters behind and backspace a bunch and then retype, because also, there is NO delete key!

#3 Symbol Silliness. If you need a symbol, then you are fine; unless you need something other than a period or comma. Now you will have to press the 123SYM key to go to the symbol keyboard. Here you make your selection then the second most crazy thing on the playbook occurs... it stays on the symbol keyboard. Every other keyboard on every other electronic device I have used for over a decade only stays if you are punching in numbers. On every other keyboard, when you press the symbol, it automatically goes back to the alpha keyboard. This may not sound like a big deal, but it really is. Its like having an Aston Martin that requires you to come to a complete stop before canceling the turn signal.

All of this adds up to the most frustrating typing experience I have ever had on any device period. And none of it has anything to do with the form factor at all. I believe the form factor of the playbook is just about perfect. I take it every where. But the software experience of the keyboard is just plain stupid.

If the playbook had a keyboard that worked like nuance's T9 or Swiftkeys, I believe most all the other short comings would not seem important at all. As it is, the typing experience takes so long that it actually makes me angry each time I use it.

I adore the playbook and take it everywhere. It is the perfect size and shape. But the keyboard just plain sucks.

[bembol]

I agree with OP and majority of the replies.

I would put fixing/upgrading the Keyboard above Native E-Mail.

Responsiveness, Auto Correction, Tab and other features mentioned here.

[Momohe]

PB keyboard needs improvments. My wife and I have bought mine in late july. I have not had any problems due to the help I read from here. It is lots of fun to have two in the house. Kids video chat from their rooms sometimes. LOL thanks to all

[joshua_sx1]

yup! keyboard needs improvement... besides from constant "hanging-up" when you're still typing...

[mickrg123]

Agree with Wally 100% (how many clicks to get to that %sign) For Rim to send to market a tablet lkke this witth no spell check and keyboard like thisss is amazing. Yes the keys when you bit theeem do work most of time. My Five year old phones have some better feeetures. Amazing To Me RIM cant figure out some of the basics! Yes Stiiiil noooo spleelll cheeeck!

[joshua_sx1]

Agree with Wally 100% (how many clicks to get to that %sign) For Rim to send to market a tablet lkke this witth no spell check and keyboard like thisss is amazing. Yes the keys when you bit theeem do work most of time. My Five year old phones have some better feeetures. Amazing To Me RIM cant figure out some of the basics! Yes Stiiiil noooo spleelll cheeeck!

...your post really convince me that "spellcheck" is a must...

[mickrg123]

Glad I got point across. Lol, Just wish RIM could get it!

[prebetsabu]

sorry OP, although the keyboard is not perfect like physical keyboard, but for me, its not that disappointing as u described.

i found it easy.. on scale 1 to 10 where 1 is worst and 10 is perfect, i would rate it 7,

good enough for me!

*type via PB!

[Phil DeLong]

...your post really convince me that "spellcheck" is a must...

You have unnecessary ellipses at the beginning and end of your sentence, you didn't capitalize the first letter of the sentence, and you should have used "convinces" not "convince".


Pot, meet kettle.

[ubizmo]

It's true. The keyboard experience on the PB is much worse than what my 9780 offers. Not only do we need autotext, we should be able to sync autotext dictionaries with our BB, via Bridge. Smart caps and punctuation should have been tbere from day 1.

i started a separate thread on how editing operations might be improved, but it's too much work for me to link to it here, because I'm typing this on my PB...

[aha]

To say that the keyboard is better than expected would be like getting in a 25 year old Chevette and saying that it was better than expected because it actually moved forward.

The keyboard is awful. If you think it is great, I just don't know what to say to you.

#1 No predictive ability whatsoever. Pocket PCs running windows mobile over ten years ago had this. The fact that it is not on the playbook is just plain stupid. I had a motorola dumb phone with just a number pad in 2002. T9 on that dumbphone was faster. This is probably the biggest playbook disappointment for me.

#2 No arrow keys. Are you kidding me? So let me get this straight, if there is a mistake (and there will be a lot because of point #1), then I have to keep pressing over and over until I select the exact location before I can correct an error? I usually just try to get 4 or 5 letters behind and backspace a bunch and then retype, because also, there is NO delete key!

#3 Symbol Silliness. If you need a symbol, then you are fine; unless you need something other than a period or comma. Now you will have to press the 123SYM key to go to the symbol keyboard. Here you make your selection then the second most crazy thing on the playbook occurs... it stays on the symbol keyboard. Every other keyboard on every other electronic device I have used for over a decade only stays if you are punching in numbers. On every other keyboard, when you press the symbol, it automatically goes back to the alpha keyboard. This may not sound like a big deal, but it really is. Its like having an Aston Martin that requires you to come to a complete stop before canceling the turn signal.

All of this adds up to the most frustrating typing experience I have ever had on any device period. And none of it has anything to do with the form factor at all. I believe the form factor of the playbook is just about perfect. I take it every where. But the software experience of the keyboard is just plain stupid.

If the playbook had a keyboard that worked like nuance's T9 or Swiftkeys, I believe most all the other short comings would not seem important at all. As it is, the typing experience takes so long that it actually makes me angry each time I use it.

I adore the playbook and take it everywhere. It is the perfect size and shape. But the keyboard just plain sucks.

RIM should hire you as their keyboard specialist/manager, , and if the position is filled already, they should let the guy go.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[FF22]

I would really like a QUESTION MARK - you know those little squiggly things - ????? on the first keyboard page. Of course, without autocorrect, an Apostrophe would be nice but I dont (ahem, do not, ahem don't) need contractions - maybe contractions are not a Canadian* thing???? (oh, those question marks again!)

* "Data" on Star Trek did not use contractions - that's (that is) how you could tell him from his evil twin!

[FF22]

You have unnecessary ellipses at the beginning and end of your sentence, you didn't capitalize the first letter of the sentence, and you should have used "convinces" not "convince".


Pot, meet kettle.

Maybe they should include YOU in each sale of a pb - that way they would not have to add the features we are suggesting.

[mmcpher]

To say that the keyboard is better than expected would be like getting in a 25 year old Chevette and saying that it was better than expected because it actually moved forward.

The keyboard is awful. If you think it is great, I just don't know what to say to you.

#1 No predictive ability whatsoever. Pocket PCs running windows mobile over ten years ago had this. The fact that it is not on the playbook is just plain stupid. I had a motorola dumb phone with just a number pad in 2002. T9 on that dumbphone was faster. This is probably the biggest playbook disappointment for me.

#2 No arrow keys. Are you kidding me? So let me get this straight, if there is a mistake (and there will be a lot because of point #1), then I have to keep pressing over and over until I select the exact location before I can correct an error? I usually just try to get 4 or 5 letters behind and backspace a bunch and then retype, because also, there is NO delete key!

#3 Symbol Silliness. If you need a symbol, then you are fine; unless you need something other than a period or comma. Now you will have to press the 123SYM key to go to the symbol keyboard. Here you make your selection then the second most crazy thing on the playbook occurs... it stays on the symbol keyboard. Every other keyboard on every other electronic device I have used for over a decade only stays if you are punching in numbers. On every other keyboard, when you press the symbol, it automatically goes back to the alpha keyboard. This may not sound like a big deal, but it really is. Its like having an Aston Martin that requires you to come to a complete stop before canceling the turn signal.

All of this adds up to the most frustrating typing experience I have ever had on any device period. And none of it has anything to do with the form factor at all. I believe the form factor of the playbook is just about perfect. I take it every where. But the software experience of the keyboard is just plain stupid.

If the playbook had a keyboard that worked like nuance's T9 or Swiftkeys, I believe most all the other short comings would not seem important at all. As it is, the typing experience takes so long that it actually makes me angry each time I use it.

I adore the playbook and take it everywhere. It is the perfect size and shape. But the keyboard just plain sucks.

No one is suggesting the keyboard is great as is, but some of us are saying that it doesn't suck at text inputting. I actually agree with a lot of your improvements and had posted months ago about some of these flaws. It's just that it hasn't mattered as much as I thought it would at the time, because the keyboard works in spite of the missing elements, and people adapt. Still, it is silly and short-sighted of RIM to accept people's tolerance as a license for RIM to take all the time in the world to bring the keyboard up to speed. RIM's goal shouldn't be to maintain the irritation level just low enough that customers won't bail on them.