Unnecesary Keyboard
- Thread starter sefsermak
- Start date
-Tj-
Active Member
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- Sep 2, 2009
- Messages
- 842
I think Prometheus hit the nail on the head. How would you play all those older systems that had keyboards without a keyboard?
As I understand it, a keyboard was one of the features people wanted when Pandora was in its early conceptual stages.
Think of the possibilities. You could use the buttons as macros in games (provided they're built in, or something you could script in), text input becomes easier than scrolling through letters with the dpad or trying to use the touch screen, developers could use it for special commands or weapon selection, and don't get me started on typing up documents. I've typed out entire documents on my phone's keyboard, something I could never do if I were forced to touch screen the whole thing.
And what would you do with the extra space if there were no keyboard there? You do realize that it would be just about the same size with or without the keyboard, right? The screen size plays a large part in the clamshell format. Bigger battery adds weight. 2nd screen eats battery (and is probably patented by Nintendo).
My last 4 phones over the past 7 years have all had full keyboards; I just don't buy phones without them anymore. The keyboard + game controls sold me on Pandora. Without it, Pandora becomes unnecessary.
As I understand it, a keyboard was one of the features people wanted when Pandora was in its early conceptual stages.
Think of the possibilities. You could use the buttons as macros in games (provided they're built in, or something you could script in), text input becomes easier than scrolling through letters with the dpad or trying to use the touch screen, developers could use it for special commands or weapon selection, and don't get me started on typing up documents. I've typed out entire documents on my phone's keyboard, something I could never do if I were forced to touch screen the whole thing.
And what would you do with the extra space if there were no keyboard there? You do realize that it would be just about the same size with or without the keyboard, right? The screen size plays a large part in the clamshell format. Bigger battery adds weight. 2nd screen eats battery (and is probably patented by Nintendo).
My last 4 phones over the past 7 years have all had full keyboards; I just don't buy phones without them anymore. The keyboard + game controls sold me on Pandora. Without it, Pandora becomes unnecessary.
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fade
Active Member
Text Adventure games?
MWeston
Internal Development
Well, that's it! Another two year delay while we strip that keyboard off the PCB and out of the molds! 
gruso
thunderbox
Just get the case factory to paint over it.
second exodous
Advanced Member
Wow, 5 more pages on this pointless subject. I noticed that the poster didn't have too many posts so I forgive him because he really doesn't know what he's saying, doesn't know that there are 100s of other threads about this already.
I have to add that I'm one of those people that are buying the Pandora because it has a keyboard.
EDIT: Well, keyboard is major reason anyway. Linux is #1 reason, open is #2, and keyboard is #3.
I have to add that I'm one of those people that are buying the Pandora because it has a keyboard.
EDIT: Well, keyboard is major reason anyway. Linux is #1 reason, open is #2, and keyboard is #3.
Gruntfuggly
Mostly Harmless
How did this thread get to 5 pages? Why did anybody even answer the OP?
lulzfish
Pandora Defense Squad
I think we did.Gruntfuggly said:
OP said something like "Why not use an on-screen keyboard like everyone else?"
and we were all "Because we're not trying to get the same customer base, and those guys all suck anyway"
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Usoppe
Still Fresh
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2007
- Messages
- 60
Yeah, yucky grease spot on the screens, mmmhhh, delicious!!
Look, an Iphone looks great as long as you dont begin to touch it and
the Pandora would be the same
Another view:
A Pandora without the keyboard would be a hacked PSP,
perhaps a bit faster - ok it would be "more" open, but we dont look
at that point now (come on, its a troll thread and I need troll arguments).
Look, an Iphone looks great as long as you dont begin to touch it and
the Pandora would be the same
Another view:
A Pandora without the keyboard would be a hacked PSP,
perhaps a bit faster - ok it would be "more" open, but we dont look
at that point now (come on, its a troll thread and I need troll arguments).
mali
-
Would you like a German layout, or are you ok with the English version? I'll start a discussion about it in the near future. If we take first and second batchers, we might reach the necessary 1000 for an alternative layout.ricki said:
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torpor
hack hack hack, the little machines fight back
A good question, though: has the keyboard/screen distance been tested to ensure that the keys dont touch the screen when the case is closed? Oh man, I hope this has been tested .. I hate it when I get a laptop that has this problem ..
mali
-
^ I slightly remember a discussion about this 1.5 years ago. It should all be fine. The screen is recessed even further than the bezel.
Jourdy288
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2009
- Messages
- 2,562
- Age
- 30
SefSermak said:
On screen keyboards are ineffective, and besides, think of how hard it would be to use an Amiga emulator! Besides, we do intend to use the Pandora to develop it's own games... Can you imagine vim/emacs without a real keyboard?
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ste_167
Well-Known Member
For many retrogamers the keyboard is more than a text input device and is in fact a gaming control. This requires more than 1 (or 2) simultaneous keypresses, and so a touchscreen keyboard wouldn't suffice.
Can someone confirm that the keyboard will allow such multiple key combinations?
Skeez - will be in touch.. I'm on holiday in Orlando. I can read my mails but not send as my push email isn't working here. Will need to see which graphics need recreating and which ones can be reused.
Can someone confirm that the keyboard will allow such multiple key combinations?
Skeez - will be in touch.. I'm on holiday in Orlando. I can read my mails but not send as my push email isn't working here. Will need to see which graphics need recreating and which ones can be reused.
Polossatik
I reject your reality and substitute my own
TrashyMG said:
+1
Buy a Nokia N800 if you want a little Ipad/tablet without any keyboard. I have one. It's a very nice device but utterly crap for input.
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Despellanion
Still Fresh
Personally I think one of the strong features of the Pandora IS its looks. I simply love the bulky, old-school plastic look it has. The Iphone is just plain ugly and too shiny looking.
Vlynndar
It was a resistor.
ste_167 said:
If I recall correctly, it won't. Just two. The control and alt keys are on the 'gaming key' section, so those don't count towards that.
I'll say again that I'm not sure.
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Caine
Hardcore Member
You recalled correctly.Vlynndar said:
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