BB advertises the Passport more efficient than competition in using spreadsheets...
- I can't see anything other than letters on the physical keyboard in all the prototype images. I don't know if BB wanted a slightly shorter phone with a 3-row KB than a 4-row one but they should have added Alt, Shift and multiple keys per button e.g. numbers and punctuation. Having to use a VKB for numbers and punctuation totally defeats the purpose of having such a large square screen to begin with, not to mention being slower because of the user context switching. The upside is you only need QWERTY/AZERTY/QWERTZ variants instead of a bunch of language variants.
A Galaxy Note probably has more screen area for content with the VKB up compared to a Passport with both hard KB and VKB. A Nokia E61i - an ancient phone with the best keyboard in the business - looks a lot more efficient for typing than the Passport. If BB are pitching the Passport as something different for more productivity, I think they're missing out on the productivity part.
I would jump on the Passport in a heartbeat the moment it's released if it had a proper full featured and full functional hardware keyboard; and if it did it would put the Q10, Q5 & Classic to shame as the de-facto productivity smart phone.
Posted via CB10nah.uhh likes this.07-10-14 02:17 AMLike 1 - I think the symbols can be toggled down to just one row with the most useful symbols. The one shown on the picture is actually kind of intrusive but hey we don't know how it really works anyway. I just want docs2go to become a priority with blackberry. I mean come on a business phone should an feature rich office app.
Posted via CB10
?Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB1007-11-14 01:29 AMLike 0 - I'm surprised to see that people are still debating this.
If you were going to buy your ideal physical keyboard device, how would you like to select symbols/numbers?
Here are the options:
1) You can use the physical keys or the vkb to select symbols/numbers. A vkb will pop up and cover much of the content on the screen every time you need a non-contextual number or symbol. When typing an email which contains lots of numbers or symbols, the vkb will be constantly popping up and down getting in the way, even though you may be using the physical keys.
2) The symbols/numbers are printed on the physical keys. There is no requirement to look at the screen to learn symbol/number position. No vkb is popping up and getting in the way. The vkb may still be used for extended/uncommon symbols.
I would really struggle to justify option 1 over option 2. Can you?
Posted via CB10
Can anyone justify option 1 over option 2 yet? I'm willing to accept it if you can explain your reasoning.
Posted via CB1007-11-14 02:48 AMLike 0 -
The rest 90% includes Web browsing, Emailing, Calendar, Tasks, Taking Pictures and Sharing and finally chatting (social, FB, Twitter, BBM and WhatsApp)
So you see, 90% of the times I don't require the fourth row.. let alone have them permanently printed and added on my PKB..
OP, if you can statistically justify the need for permanent special keys on the PKB, I'm sure you'll have more credibility to your argument.
While your argument is not invalid, it'll only resonate within the minority.
Atleast I chose Option 1 because I just don't have any need for permanent numbers and symbols on the PKB.
The Passport screen is huge and the smart addition of the active one-line virtual keyboard seems more in line with my usage.07-11-14 03:30 AMLike 0 - 1) You can use the physical keys or the vkb to select symbols/numbers. A vkb will pop up and cover much of the content on the screen every time you need a non-contextual number or symbol. When typing an email which contains lots of numbers or symbols, the vkb will be constantly popping up and down getting in the way, even though you may be using the physical keys.
The biggest point you're missing is the 'IF' in your argument..
- IF I want to type an email filled with Numbers & Symbols
- IF I want to use Excel spreadsheet
- IF I get troubled with the Virtual Keyboard
Too much of speculation without knowing what the user wants.. you have no clue about how I use my PKB, and how many of us want a PKB but we rely on the Touchscreen for 75% of our usage..
PS - How many special characters can you print on a PKB?
While Typing an Email, characters like -- ?!";:,. Will be always present on the 4th virtual row.. but they will disappear when I browse the Web which gives me more real estate..
Also, pressing ALT+Key? Haha, if you like that sort of thing.. you can use the Classic..
PPS - Check attached image.. if it works absolutely fine on the Q10, I'm surprised you doubt it's not going to work on the Passport..
And No, it does not cover the entire screen like you say.
07-11-14 03:43 AMLike 0 - The biggest point everyone seems to miss is that eliminating the special characters on the PKB and transferring them to the VKB makes the big device easier to use..
It's common sense.. lolTimbosaurus likes this.07-11-14 03:46 AMLike 1 - In the last one year of owning a Q10, my usage of numbers/symbols/special characters has been less than 10% of overall usage.
The rest 90% includes Web browsing, Emailing, Calendar, Tasks, Taking Pictures and Sharing and finally chatting (social, FB, Twitter, BBM and WhatsApp)
So you see, 90% of the times I don't require the fourth row.. let alone have them permanently printed and added on my PKB..
OP, if you can statistically justify the need for permanent special keys on the PKB, I'm sure you'll have more credibility to your argument.
While your argument is not invalid, it'll only resonate within the minority.
Atleast I chose Option 1 because I just don't have any need for permanent numbers and symbols on the PKB.
The Passport screen is huge and the smart addition of the active one-line virtual keyboard seems more in line with my usage.
You typed 12 symbols that requires the ALT keys ()'%-, especially the apostrophe.
You typed twice "..", which i thing you meant "...". Anyway, to type it on Q10, you need to press either the sequence "ALT > M > ALT > M" (faster, because you alternate between left and right finger) or "ALT > left shift > M > M > ALT".
On Passport, you need to do this:
swipe down > swipe down > M > swipe down > swipe down > M (you could do that two handed)
or
double touch the "@123" virtual button on the right > M > double touch the "@123" virtual button on the right > M (you MUST do that with only the right thumb).
I don't know how you can "lock symbols", but I suspect it's even slower.MarsupilamiX and blueberrymerry like this.07-11-14 03:55 AMLike 2 - In this post, you typed 11 commas, the only way to insert them is by touching the screen.
You typed 12 symbols that requires the ALT keys ()'%-, especially the apostrophe.
You typed twice "..", which i thing you meant "...". Anyway, to type it on Q10, you need to press either the sequence "ALT > M > ALT > M" (faster, because you alternate between left and right finger) or "ALT > left shift > M > M > ALT".
On Passport, you need to do this:
swipe down > swipe down > M > swipe down > swipe down > M (you could do that two handed)
or
double touch the "@123" virtual button on the right > M > double touch the "@123" virtual button on the right > M (you MUST do that with only the right thumb).
I don't know how you can "lock symbols", but I suspect it's even slower.
If you take the efforts to read this article, you might not waste time with you senseless analyses
Smart, contextual virtual keys: The Passport's QWERTY 3-row keyboard creates a clean-looking, right-sized layout. There is also a virtual 4th row on-screen that smartly shifts depending on context. So if you're typing a password on-screen, the 4th row would automatically include numbers and symbols commonly used in passwords. If you're typing an e-mail, the '@' symbol will be displayed, and when surfing the Web, the colon and backslash characters needed to type in a URL will be displayed. Like I said, smart! With a little practice, most Passport users should find themselves typing faster than ever before.07-11-14 04:04 AMLike 0 - Typing a comma on the Passport is easier than doing it on the Q10. The symbol will almost always be available, as a dedicated button, in the contextual fourth row. This means one key press rather than a combo.07-11-14 04:09 AMLike 0
- @bbtenten
According to your stated usage, the Passport is not designed or even marketed to you. This is a prime example that BlackBerry doesn't know what their doing with the Passport. It a device being specifically marketed through blog posts as a productivity device but has followers that are clearly no their targeted audience.
@Timbosaurus
No, tapping an on-screen button in-between hardware keyboard taps is not easier than continuing to tap hardware keys, no even by a long shot.
Posted via CB10Last edited by ZeroBarrier; 07-11-14 at 05:03 AM.
nah.uhh likes this.07-11-14 04:21 AMLike 1 - @bbtenten
According to your stated usage, the Passport is not designed or even marketed to you. This is a prime example that BlackBerry doesn't know what their doing with the Passport. It a device being specifically marketed through blog posts as a productivity device but has followers that are clearly no their targeted audience.
@Timbosaurus
No, tapping an n screen button in-between hardware keyboard taps is not easier than continuing to tap hardware keys, no even by a long shot.
Posted via CB10
Are you trying to tell me that the Passport is not best for
- Web Browsing
- Email
- Calendar
- Camera and Picture sharing
- Socialising (FB, Twitter, BBM and WhatsApp)
Please enlighten me on what will be best for me..07-11-14 04:51 AMLike 0 - I'm surprised that you have 100s of posts in the 'Passport' section however, you are completely clueless that the 4th row (virtual) is always present on-screen during any text input?
The biggest point you're missing is the 'IF' in your argument..
- IF I want to type an email filled with Numbers & Symbols
- IF I want to use Excel spreadsheet
- IF I get troubled with the Virtual Keyboard
Too much of speculation without knowing what the user wants.. you have no clue about how I use my PKB, and how many of us want a PKB but we rely on the Touchscreen for 75% of our usage..
PS - How many special characters can you print on a PKB?
While Typing an Email, characters like -- ?!";:,. Will be always present on the 4th virtual row.. but they will disappear when I browse the Web which gives me more real estate..
Also, pressing ALT+Key? Haha, if you like that sort of thing.. you can use the Classic..
PPS - Check attached image.. if it works absolutely fine on the Q10, I'm surprised you doubt it's not going to work on the Passport..
And No, it does not cover the entire screen like you say.
The point is not whether the Passport's keyboard implementation will be acceptable for most, it's whether it's BETTER versus the available alternatives.
Please take the time to re-read my question and decide which of the options I presented would deliver a more productive device.
Posted via CB1007-11-14 05:02 AMLike 0 -
- QWERTY BlackBerrys with far smaller screens and
- devices with no hardware keyboard at all,
Right?07-11-14 05:09 AMLike 0 -
I love the Passport form factor.
Posted via CB1007-11-14 05:11 AMLike 0 -
....so this option 1 or option 2 thing? Okay.
I clearly prefer option 2. But to think this through further the point stands that the option 2 doesn't exist, neither does any other device exist in the market place that combines a Passport form factor with option 1 nor 2. So the ultimate question for me is wether the actual implementation will be acceptable or not.07-11-14 05:28 AMLike 0 - *Heads back to read the question and comes back*
....so this option 1 or option 2 thing? Okay.
I clearly prefer option 2. But to think this through further the point stands that the option 2 doesn't exist, neither does any other device exist in the market place that combines a Passport form factor with option 1 nor 2. So the ultimate question for me is wether the actual implementation will be acceptable or not.
Posted via CB1007-11-14 06:11 AMLike 0 - BlackBerry offers up another look at the revolutionary keyboard on the BlackBerry Passport | CrackBerry.com
If you take the efforts to read this article, you might not waste time with you senseless analysesnah.uhh likes this.07-11-14 06:26 AMLike 1 - While I have my reservations regarding the Passport's keyboard, I am of the opinion that it is better to wait, check it out and then pass judgment. The impression is that there will be quite some difference in the input method application; this is one of the main characteristics of the phone: capacitive PHKB -three rows- (the screen being another).
I do not know how it will feel to use it, coming from the Q10. The Passport has got my eye definitely, so I will most probably get to try it out. Prior to that, I cannot express a final opinion on how it will, or will not serve me and if what I will/may have to compromise to switch from my current choice, will/ would be worth it.
That said, regarding this:
Please consider my observation; it may not work like that for everyone but I tried on the Q10 as "simulation exercise and works for me. I do also write without visual feedback on the kb or screen some times for short intervals. I think most phkb users do that to an extent.
Reading your comment got me thinking the following:
in order to "blindly" type, I use the tactile feedback of course. As reference to that we have the keys' volume and shape. normally, from the key we are at, we calculate the distance (by experience and repetition) to the next key of choice for input, departing as reference from the physical key that has marked the last input (most of the time this is double checked by visual confirmation - watching the screen) .
So, what I realized is that, the vk row is solely 1key distance from the top row of the phkb and aligned with the keys of the phk (look photo below). That means that I still have a reference key do depart from or use as reference point (transitioning from the phk to the vk) and that if I use keys in the other rows I have to master the distance of each row and learn to move accordingly on the y axis, calculating a 4th row. So in reality I do not need the tactile feedback on the vk to verify entry, I need to learn and use the phk key aligned to the vk key placed above it. It is one row and one key distance that I need to learn to "calculate" and position my finger with precision, and get used to a tactile feedback from the screen just for this row. (also coupled with the edge of the phk feedback I actually have one more reference point to help me learn). I am not saying it is ideal, by any means, but it may be designed to provide some added value that I lack the info or experience in order to appreciate it yet. That is why I prefer to be on the "wait & see" bottom line: If with the passport I end up writing faster and easier than with my Q10 and the phone serves me better in multiple levels... I have not much more to think about. (until an improved or other, better option for my needs, comes out, be it who it may that produces it)
So, with a couple of days use, I think it should not be that bad. Also they supposedly change the material and elevation of the phkb, so I think the transition will be smoother than what we think. But really, I think we worry too much to answer questions that can only be answered by each for their use and comfort, once they try the phone out.
On a final note, I follow the input via visual verification on the screen. So, I will anyway look at the screen most of the time. The very vk 4th row is on the screen, so I have easier visual control until I get used to it.
For, as much as I -also- express my reservation in passing judgment on if the kb will be good / bad for my use, I truly believe that without one knowing fully how it will work and without trying it, he / she is prone to deciding on pure hypothesis or "founded speculation"; that, might prove us wrong at the end, or not, but the point will still remain: judging and deciding on perception without knowing something first, based on "half" info, teasers and interpretations, is -imo- at most an "educated guess"; as such it should be paired with restrain in forming a definite opinion.
Even more so, (and this is not directed to you II Arrows, but is a general comment), we should not try to convince others that 'they are "blind", lack capacity of perception and understanding or are stupid' because they "guess" (even educated guess) different than we do, be it which is our perception on the phone.
Many will get to say "I told you so" no matter how it plays out, but is this really the point of our discussion?
Last edited by currentodysseys; 07-11-14 at 11:51 AM.
07-11-14 11:28 AMLike 3 - In the last one year of owning a Q10, my usage of numbers/symbols/special characters has been less than 10% of overall usage.
The rest 90% includes Web browsing, Emailing, Calendar, Tasks, Taking Pictures and Sharing and finally chatting (social, FB, Twitter, BBM and WhatsApp)
So you see, 90% of the times I don't require the fourth row.. let alone have them permanently printed and added on my PKB..
OP, if you can statistically justify the need for permanent special keys on the PKB, I'm sure you'll have more credibility to your argument.
While your argument is not invalid, it'll only resonate within the minority.
Atleast I chose Option 1 because I just don't have any need for permanent numbers and symbols on the PKB.
The Passport screen is huge and the smart addition of the active one-line virtual keyboard seems more in line with my usage.
?Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB1007-11-14 11:45 AMLike 0 - I'm surprised that you have 100s of posts in the 'Passport' section however, you are completely clueless that the 4th row (virtual) is always present on-screen during any text input?
The biggest point you're missing is the 'IF' in your argument..
- IF I want to type an email filled with Numbers & Symbols
- IF I want to use Excel spreadsheet
- IF I get troubled with the Virtual Keyboard
Too much of speculation without knowing what the user wants.. you have no clue about how I use my PKB, and how many of us want a PKB but we rely on the Touchscreen for 75% of our usage..
PS - How many special characters can you print on a PKB?
While Typing an Email, characters like -- ?!";:,. Will be always present on the 4th virtual row.. but they will disappear when I browse the Web which gives me more real estate..
Also, pressing ALT+Key? Haha, if you like that sort of thing.. you can use the Classic..
PPS - Check attached image.. if it works absolutely fine on the Q10, I'm surprised you doubt it's not going to work on the Passport..
And No, it does not cover the entire screen like you say.
?Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB1007-11-14 11:48 AMLike 0 -
?Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB1007-11-14 11:55 AMLike 0 - It's a 2-handed device to type. While typing two-handed, if I know I need a comma, I am already reaching for the alt key as I'm typing the last normal letter, then I press the alt and the "n" simultaneously to get the comma. It takes no extra time and I never had to switch between a physical key and a touchscreen. My annoyance with the Q10 is the lack of a physical hangup button. Virtual keys don't ALWAYS register 100% of the time. Sometimes I have to touch something on the screen more than once before the phone registers the touch. I would hate for that to be the case while I'm typing. And my point really is that if it was on the keyboard, then there wouldn't be a need for ANY virtual rows on the screen, zero. Which in my opinion is better than 1 virtual row, 2 rows, or 3 rows...
?Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB10
On the other hand, you say there would not be ANY need for virtual rows. So, since it is a three row phkb + vk row, I say there must be a reason for it, as someone made a conscious decision to make that happen.
Reasons may vary and I give some possibilities voiced in the threads (from the silly to serious ones):
1. the engineers and the whole product design team of BlackBerry are a bunch of fools who know nothing and we all definitely know better
2. Because it reduces costs and helps from a design/ production perspective sacrificing on user experience
3. Because the whole input method and input system proposal of the Passport with the capacitive phkb is bringing a new proposal of user-mobile interaction that someone studied in order to try and give a more efficient way of alphanumeric input and control.
4... etc, etc...
The only of the above that one can answer definitely is number 1: NOT possible.
Another issue to keep in mind is: on a low volume production model (it is not meant to be produced by the 100s of milions), I think that the actual R+D to change the user interface and design, test it and implement it, has a quite higher cost, than putting in the keys. So I (guessing again, take it with a pinch of salt, or a lot of..) think that cost cutting may also not have been the case. (Just to add to the speculation conversation, aiming it to be a constructive comment).
The others are speculations from our part. So, please why not wait, see the proposal made by the passport with the full features and UI shown and tried out, obtain measurable metrics on input-output and then try ourselves, before we get stuck in choosing between 2, 3, 4 ...etc and defending it as if it was a bloody religious relic?07-11-14 12:07 PMLike 0 - While I have my reservations regarding the Passport's keyboard, I am of the opinion that it is better to wait, check it out and then pass judgment. The impression is that there will be quite some difference in the input method application; this is one of the main characteristics of the phone: capacitive PHKB -three rows- (the screen being another).
I do not know how it will feel to use it, coming from the Q10. The Passport has got my eye definitely, so I will most probably get to try it out. Prior to that, I cannot express a final opinion on how it will, or will not serve me and if what I will/may have to compromise to switch from my current choice, will/ would be worth it.
That said, regarding this:
Please consider my observation; it may not work like that for everyone but I tried on the Q10 as "simulation exercise and works for me. I do also write without visual feedback on the kb or screen some times for short intervals. I think most phkb users do that to an extent.
Reading your comment got me thinking the following:
in order to "blindly" type, I use the tactile feedback of course. As reference to that we have the keys' volume and shape. normally, from the key we are at, we calculate the distance (by experience and repetition) to the next key of choice for input, departing as reference from the physical key that has marked the last input (most of the time this is double checked by visual confirmation - watching the screen) .
So, what I realized is that, the vk row is solely 1key distance from the top row of the phkb and aligned with the keys of the phk (look photo below). That means that I still have a reference key do depart from or use as reference point (transitioning from the phk to the vk) and that if I use keys in the other rows I have to master the distance of each row and learn to move accordingly on the y axis, calculating a 4th row. So in reality I do not need the tactile feedback on the vk to verify entry, I need to learn and use the phk key aligned to the vk key placed above it. It is one row and one key distance that I need to learn to "calculate" and position my finger with precision, and get used to a tactile feedback from the screen just for this row. (also coupled with the edge of the phk feedback I actually have one more reference point to help me learn). I am not saying it is ideal, by any means, but it may be designed to provide some added value that I lack the info or experience in order to appreciate it yet. That is why I prefer to be on the "wait & see" bottom line: If with the passport I end up writing faster and easier than with my Q10 and the phone serves me better in multiple levels... I have not much more to think about. (until an improved or other, better option for my needs, comes out, be it who it may that produces it)
So, with a couple of days use, I think it should not be that bad. Also they supposedly change the material and elevation of the phkb, so I think the transition will be smoother than what we think. But really, I think we worry too much to answer questions that can only be answered by each for their use and comfort, once they try the phone out.
On a final note, I follow the input via visual verification on the screen. So, I will anyway look at the screen most of the time. The very vk 4th row is on the screen, so I have easier visual control until I get used to it.
For, as much as I -also- express my reservation in passing judgment on if the kb will be good / bad for my use, I truly believe that without one knowing fully how it will work and without trying it, he / she is prone to deciding on pure hypothesis or "founded speculation"; that, might prove us wrong at the end, or not, but the point will still remain: judging and deciding on perception without knowing something first, based on "half" info, teasers and interpretations, is -imo- at most an "educated guess"; as such it should be paired with restrain in forming a definite opinion.
Even more so, (and this is not directed to you II Arrows, but is a general comment), we should not try to convince others that 'they are "blind", lack capacity of perception and understanding or are stupid' because they "guess" (even educated guess) different than we do, be it which is our perception on the phone.
Many will get to say "I told you so" no matter how it plays out, but is this really the point of our discussion?
This is possible because of how the keys are shaped and the because of the smooth material the keys are made of that allow the user to lightly slide their thumbs around the keyboard to feel each curve, crevice and dimple; and of course a lot of muscle memory as well.
I don't think this style of blind typing will be easy or even possible on the Passport. The keys so far shown do not seem to have the traditional BlackBerry curves, crevices and dimples. Plus the material seems to be rubbery and might provide more resistance than the traditional BlackBerry QWERTY keyboards. Add to this the fact that swiping your fingers across the keyboard will scroll the content on the screen and you can imagine that it becomes even more difficult unless BlackBerry disables scrolling via touch sensitive keyboard whenever the focus is on a typing field. In fact this is probably what BlackBerry did to avoid the user scrolling all over the place while typing; whenever the contextual keyboard is on screen the ability to scroll via the touch sensitive keyboard is locked and to scroll again you must tap somewhere outside the typing field.
I also don't believe anyone will be able to blind type in any way shape or form on the contextual virtual row. No matter how much you practice it is just impossible to differentiate between 2 small virtual keys that are right next to each other. So everyone will stop t look at the contextual keyboard to type their symbol of choice (if it's on the contextual keyboard at all when you need it).
I'm not saying I'm 100% right and that the Passport won't be a good device for at least a few users; but we don't all have to wait to take all the information we've been given and use a little common sense and some logical thinking to figure out with a certain degree of precision how all of the pieces seem to work. This is why we even discuss these type of topics on this forum. This isn't the love and agree with everything BlackBerry no matter how wrong or broken something seems to be.
Posted via CB1007-11-14 12:45 PMLike 0 - Last warning. Next time its infractions and it will be all involved no matter how much you contributed.07-11-14 12:57 PMLike 0
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BB advertises the Passport more efficient than competition in using spreadsheets...
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