Android Police Editorial: Why On Screen buttons will be great

[OBLAMA2009]

i prefer the physical buttons now. android has more screen space than apple because, among other things, it doesnt have on screen buttons

 

[Red Storm]

Some of you are saying this is going to cost screen space... you do realize with virtual buttons you no longer need the existing space reserved for buttons right?

Physical buttons are nice, but I look forward to virtual buttons.

 

[Glitchny]

Will the software buttons meld with the status bar, ala Honeycomb? Will app makers have to re-write their apps in some cases to be compatible with the permanent status bar- ala Honeycomb? Too many questions. I do hate physical buttons though for the light leak.

Between the HD screen and the no buttons the Nexus Prime is going to be a rough ride compatibility-wise for at least a year. I know that is the point- the Nexuses are supposed to push the standard. But it seems that many people have signed on that the Nexus Prime is going to be a superphone finally competing with the polish of the iPhone, when really it might be a usability nightmare for early adaptors.

Meh haven't had any problems with current apps using the on-screen buttons with my nook color. Hardly notice them, and they can be hidden if absolutely needed.

 

[Bateluer]

Meh haven't had any problems with current apps using the on-screen buttons with my nook color. Hardly notice them, and they can be hidden if absolutely needed.

This is something that several people seem to be forgetting. I would think that the virtual buttons could be hidden at almost time.

 

[YoungGun21]

Just read that the Nexus Prime indeed has virtual buttons only. One single home button on the bottom front and power and volume buttons on the side.

Apple might as well just start filling out the legal forms now.....

 

[Bateluer]

Just read that the Nexus Prime indeed has virtual buttons only. One single home button on the bottom front and power and volume buttons on the side.

Apple might as well just start filling out the legal forms now.....

I assume you're refering to
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/09/1...-in-late-october-looks-like-a-bigger-nexus-s/

Hopefully, this is a prerelease, engineering model. I can't imagine Samsung, with all their current legal battles, would do something this idiotic.

 

[YoungGun21]

Why can't the home button be placed on the side? Then the entire front could be a screen.

 

[Bateluer]

Why can't the home button be placed on the side? Then the entire front could be a screen.

Similar to a Volume rocker or Lock button? Idea has merit.

 

[YoungGun21]

Put it right where the power button is on the Fascinate. Move the power button back to the top where it belongs (lol). Now the front is clear of buttons, so we get more screen without increasing size, and it isn't like the buttons are any harder to press.

The only reason I would see for having a single button on the front would be if it was multi-function. As in, pressing it acts as Home, but you can add swipe functions to it as well. Swipe right to messaging, left to phone, up for back, down for mail. Something like that.

I like my first idea better though.

 

[evident]

im not sure why no one likes physical buttons. i can t9 text message much faster than using a on screen keyboard.

 

[WelshBloke]

As long as it's optional, it's a good feature to add. I personally prefer physical buttons for functionality which should always be available.

...

As Bober say all will be good if its optional.

I like having the physical buttons on my phone but this would be great for porting Android to the touchpad.

 

[Bateluer]

im not sure why no one likes physical buttons. i can t9 text message much faster than using a on screen keyboard.

As can I, was about to type faster and more accurately on the Droid 1's crappy keyboard than I'm able to on the Tbolt. But, if you limit yourself to only phones with physical keyboards, you've only got 1 option per carrier. If that.

Also, I don't see why you couldn't have an ICS device with Home/Back/Menu/Search being virtualized and still have a physical keyboard slider.

 

[vi edit]

A physical on hook/off hook and shutter button are my single biggest peeves about the Iphone. Actually more the shutter button than the phone ones to be honest. It's not "progress" removing them. It's cost cutting.

 

[YoungGun21]

As Bober say all will be good if its optional.

I like having the physical buttons on my phone but this would be great for porting Android to the touchpad.

How can you make having physical buttons optional? They are either there or not there.

 

[vi edit]

How can you make having physical buttons optional? They are either there or not there.

Two models. One with, one without?

Let the vote of the wallets claim a victor?

 

[WelshBloke]

How can you make having physical buttons optional? They are either there or not there.

There is usually more than just the one Android phone model on sale at a time.

 

[YoungGun21]

There is usually more than just the one Android phone model on sale at a time.

I thought you meant on one specific model.

 

[WelshBloke]

I thought you meant on one specific model.

Yeah that would be weird.

 

[BoberFett]

/facepalm

Yes, different models.

 

[Bateluer]

/facepalm

Yes, different models.

Doubt that. I don't see Moto/HTC/Samsung/etc producing two identical models except for physical buttons.

 

[YoungGun21]

Doubt that. I don't see Moto/HTC/Samsung/etc producing two identical models except for physical buttons.

This is why I was confused. I see no plausible way they will do this. They could have done the same with keyboards, one with and one without, but they didn't. I mean, sure, you still have a choice of having one. This is how the majority of big changes will be made though. They will make phones with and phones without the feature, but the more popular one will always win out. Phones with physical keyboards are pointless to the majority of people today, and I think we may be headed in this direction for any type of physical button.