From 6pm (NZ time) join us in our chat page to listen to the NZTechPodcast live recording.

Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.

Forums › Mobile handsets › Anyone not like 3.2' touchscreen phones ...


512 posts

Ultimate Geek
Topic # 90224 16-Sep-2011 19:47 Send private message

Hi, I just got my first (Nokia C6-01), cannot type on it and I have installed Swype.  I find that Nokia's predictive texting works better also. 


I am wondering if anyone have experienced this and maybe people really have to buy a 3.5" or a 4.3" as a minimum size?  And yep, I am using it in landscape mode. 

I am gonna spend sometime and in the new year re-assess, either a Nokia QWERTY type or a Blackberry.  The phone I lost was a Nokia E75 and it was so much better for me.  But they don't make those styles anymore, most are now hybrids. 

At uni, I have bumped into people who still prefer QWERTY phones like the BB Curve or the Nokia E72.  Or those who have a Android hybrid who prefer to slide out the keyboard and type that way.  



Thanks.

Create new topic


512 posts

Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 522246 17-Sep-2011 08:33 Send private message

I'll bump this. 
What phone do you think I should consider now?  Thinking of changing again at year end. 

I had my Nokia C6-01 for a week now maybe, just don't like the touchscreen.  Downloaded Swype and just does not work, maybe the 3.2" screen is part of the problem. 

At times, I would be v v careful when texting (typing), pressing each letter like 2 seconds apart from each and still get it wrong. 

I also find that Nokia's predictive texting works better on this phone for me. 

They don't make the E75 equiv anymore that was what I lost.
They now only have the E72/5 or now the BB but I am not sure how they work on prepay, I don't need the BB apps, just like the keyboard etc.....

Edit.  Just briefly tried a ballpoint pen on the screen and that doesn't work.



Thanks.

1069 posts

Uber Geek
  Reply # 522254 17-Sep-2011 09:04 Send private message

 

Edit.  Just briefly tried a ballpoint pen on the screen and that doesn't work.



Thanks.


Like most phones these days the C6 has a 'capacitive' touch screen - that means it requires the electrical conductivity of the human body to operate (i.e. your finger).  They don't use pressure like the old resistive touch screens that required pressure and typically used a stylus.
 
Will leave others to suggest phones as I don't know to much about push button phones.  Just about everything is touch screen...and yes the bigger the screen the easier to type.  Wife just went from a 3.2 to a 3.5 and it is amazing the difference such a small change makes.  What about the Samsung S2 or maybe the iPhone5 will be out by years end if you really want the biggest.  Depends on the $$$ you want to spend.




Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

843 posts

Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 522265 17-Sep-2011 09:59 Send private message

The wife had a 2.8" screen which I struggled with, I then had a 3.8" screen which was very usable, I now have a S2 and it is exponentially better than the 3.8" screen.

Don't forget that generally stepping over the 3.2" threshold usually comes with a resolution jump too (800x480 instead of 480x320 pixels) which imho is more important than pure screen size

1500 posts

Uber Geek
  Reply # 522269 17-Sep-2011 10:26 Send private message

Finger size makes a difference to usability as well. I was OK with swype on 3.2inch phones, but prefer the larger (3.7) screen of the Defy for reading content.
Larger would obviously be better but with smaller hands bigger handsets are a little more awkward to use which can dilute the experience.

843 posts

Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 522270 17-Sep-2011 10:28 Send private message

I should add I have big hands : P

186 posts

Master Geek
  Reply # 522282 17-Sep-2011 11:02 Send private message

It really comes down to the software running on the phone, my previous phone was an Htc Magic, 3.2" screen, 320x480 so lower resolution than your nokia, that was my first touchscreen phone and it took me a good few weeks to get used to it, if you've only been using the phone for a week then I would give it a bit more time for you to become familiar with the phone, They all have their own quirks.
It's a capacitive screen so a ball point pen won't work, you could perhaps purchase a capacitive stylus and give that a try.

1239 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber
  Reply # 522283 17-Sep-2011 11:06 Send private message

I tried using my old LGp500 last week before I sent it to its new owner and couldn't type anything! but for 7 months, I used it everyday and it rocked!

4.3" is soooo easy to use!

4111 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber
  Reply # 522362 17-Sep-2011 15:26 Send private message

I don't like 3.2" touch screen fones. Keys too small even in landscape 4" plus rules..




Regards,

Old3eyes

Create new topic



Twitter »
Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new jobs are posted to our jobs board:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:




News »
Microsoft expands Windows Azure with Australian region
Posted 21-May-2013 09:11

Yahoo! to Acquire Tumblr
Posted 21-May-2013 08:18

University of Auckland partners with Google to train digital professionals
Posted 20-May-2013 17:16

Philips introduces its series of smart LED bulb in New Zealand
Posted 20-May-2013 11:05

Android and iOS combine for 92.3% of all smartphone OS shipment in the first 2013 quarter
Posted 17-May-2013 08:38

Apple’s App Store marks 50 billionth download
Posted 17-May-2013 08:25


Trending now »
Hot discussions in our forums right now:

HTC One (2013) owners' discussion
Created by Dingbatt, last reply by Hollidog on 21-May-2013 09:15 (1477 replies)
Pages... 97 98 99

A new project coming to Geekzone
Created by freitasm, last reply by Edwood on 21-May-2013 09:14 (214 replies)
Pages... 13 14 15

Vodafone Naked Broadband Speeds (Auckland CBD)
Created by wscalioni, last reply by grkiwi on 20-May-2013 21:13 (14 replies)

Sitting on a boring conference call
Created by SaltyNZ, last reply by SepticSceptic on 17-May-2013 16:52 (14 replies)

Samsung Galaxy SIII Discussion and Owners Thread
Created by networkn, last reply by lokhor on 21-May-2013 09:14 (5528 replies)
Pages... 367 368 369

A reason not to shop at dick smith
Created by dsnz1, last reply by eXDee on 20-May-2013 20:41 (86 replies)
Pages... 4 5 6

Porting landline number away from Telecom
Created by dasimpsonsrule, last reply by coffeebaron on 20-May-2013 19:41 (12 replies)

$200 Smart Phone!? Ideas..
Created by antaeusa, last reply by antaeusa on 21-May-2013 09:17 (20 replies)
Pages... 2


Geekzone Jobs »
Most recent NZ jobs in technology:

Proven Automation Test Analyst
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Artistic UI Developer
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Commercial Automation Tester
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Skilled Java Developer
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Dedicated Java Developer/ Technical lead
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Artistic PHP Developer
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27

Excellent UI/UX Developer
Posted 20-May-2013 22:27


Geekzone Live »
Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.

Updates »
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.