Please recommend a thumb keyboard for smart phones.

[fuzzybabybunny]

I can't take it anymore. For the amount of typing that I have to do for work, I sinpyl cannot do it on a tougscreen. I've given it 2 years. I need to go back to a physical humb keyboard. Swype does not work nearly as well as I need it to.

The one with the best reviews seem to be this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005DS...sr=8-4&pi=SL75

But I need a holder that can attach the phone to the keyboard. I can't just have the keyboard detached from the phone otherwise it is an ergonomic nightmare.

 

[Red Storm]

For the amount of work you apparently need to do, one would think you'd have long since bought a larger device to do it on...

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

For the amount of work you apparently need to do, one would think you'd have long since bought a larger device to do it on...

What larger device with a tactile keyboard? Tablets and ultrabooks don't qualify.

 

[Red Storm]

Tablets and ultrabooks don't qualify.

Why is that?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Why is that?

Give me a tablet with a tactile keyboard that I can work on without putting it on a surface of some sort. And one that uses cell phone WiFi. Or an ultrabook that does the same thing. Or both that are tiny enough to put in a pocket.

 

[Red Storm]

I guess I'm just not getting why you have so much work that for some reason can only be done on a cell phone while walking around?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Don't you have an S3?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA2C00U57590

 

[Zaap]

Sounds like you need something like this:

or:

But you don't say what type of phone you have.

If you're using a fairly recent flagship device, you should be able to find some options for a keyboard attachment case.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I guess I'm just not getting why you have so much work that for some reason can only be done on a cell phone while walking around?

I own a business but I'm able to manage things remotely, which means I'm always out and about in places without tables or power outlets and I'm just walking around with whatever is in my pockets. I work anywhere like while kayaking, skiing, hiking, etc.

Don't you have an S3?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA2C00U57590

Sadly, I have the Samsung Nexus.

 

[Zaap]

Sounds like long past time for an upgrade.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Sounds like long past time for an upgrade.

Even if I were to get something like a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active I still run into the same problem with not having a tactile keyboard.

 

[Viper GTS]

It appears that there are options out there:

http://www.amazon.com/MegaGear-Bluet...dp/B009MJ0V5E/

It seems to me though that you are sacrificing more in productivity than you are truly gaining in mobility. Ultrabooks really aren't that big. Yes they require you to have a place to sit (or a place to set the laptop) but then again your cell phone screen is useless in sunlight so where are you indoors that you don't have a table or chair?

People have very active lives with their macbook airs and the like, it's unlikely that your situation is so unique that none of the options on the market will work for you.

IMO it's simply naive to expect that you can pull a cell phone out of your pocket while on the river and conduct business. Segment your time more appropriately and don't let your work interrupt your play. Laptop in the hotel room (or the hatch of your car, as is your style), freedom outside.

Viper GTS

 

[Zaap]

So here's a novel idea: Get a device that has a choice of keyboard options you need.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

It appears that there are options out there:

http://www.amazon.com/MegaGear-Bluet...dp/B009MJ0V5E/

It seems to me though that you are sacrificing more in productivity than you are truly gaining in mobility. Ultrabooks really aren't that big. Yes they require you to have a place to sit (or a place to set the laptop) but then again your cell phone screen is useless in sunlight so where are you indoors that you don't have a table or chair?

People have very active lives with their macbook airs and the like, it's unlikely that your situation is so unique that none of the options on the market will work for you.

IMO it's simply naive to expect that you can pull a cell phone out of your pocket while on the river and conduct business. Segment your time more appropriately and don't let your work interrupt your play. Laptop in the hotel room (or the hatch of your car, as is your style), freedom outside.

Viper GTS

Thanks. I've looked at the Galaxy S keyboards but they are a little scary - the reviews aren't that great. The other Grandmax keyboard that I linked to has some pretty solid 4-5 star reviews.

I have an ultrabook. I have to stop, find somewhere to put it down on, start up the tethering app on my phone, and of course manage the battery life so it doesn't crap out on me (versus carrying 2-3 extra cell phone batteries). I also have to use a mouse because the particular ultrabook that I have (UX32VD) doesn't have the greatest track pad.

My business hours are from 10am to 5pm and onwards at times. I'm also "playing" during this time of the day as well. On the river. On the slopes. In the woods. I've been doing it for years and didn't have nearly the difficulties that I have now as when I had a Sprint Samsung Epic 4G. Of course, the Epic 4G is completely obsolete at this point, but I remember being able to conduct the emailing part of business much, much more efficiently. And back then I didn't have an ultrabook. I didn't have a tablet. I even looked forward to answering emails since they didn't interrupt my day that much. Now it does.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

So here's a novel idea: Get a device that has a choice of keyboard options you need.

like.... which? Show me a phone with a slide out keyboard that has a retina display, is a world phone, and has a removable battery.

 

[dagamer34]

I don't want to be the negative nancy, but unless you go buy and like the Blackberry Q10, you aren't going to find the device you want. Your desire to find a smartphone with a keyboard that doesn't suck doesn't exist anymore, the market has decided otherwise. Touchscreens won. No attachment is ever going work as well as something natively built into the device and even then, it's pretty janky considering how many phones don't have hardware keyboards at all.

 

[poofyhairguy]

With that said, the best keyboard phone still beats a Nexus S.

There simply isn't any flagship models.

You could get something like a Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere 2 cheap. Same display as Nexus S but better otherwise.

 

[Viper GTS]

I believe he's on a galaxy nexus, not a nexus S.

I had an epic on launch day to replace my pre so I totally get the love of a physical keyboard. But I've long since chosen specs over the keyboard, whether I like it or not the market spoke. I've adapted. And honestly the epic keyboard sucked (dropped keystrokes) until I ROMd it anyway. Any speed at all and it started dropping accuracy. I would still love to see a slider nexus with proper specs but I know it won't be happening.

Your demands are even more specific, if mine won't be happening yours literally has never happened.

Viper GTS

 

[Crono]

The LG Mach, Motorola Droid 4, and the Motorola Photon are the last Android phones with keyboards.

The Blackberry Q10 and Q5 are the only current smartphones with keyboards, at least from the well-known manufacturers.

I wish Dell would make a Dell Venue Pro 2.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

This is why I asked for recommendations for keyboard attachments. I know that there won't be any more off the shelf slide out keyboard models. That Grandmax keyboard looks prefect and has solid reviews. There's just no way to attach it to a smartphone.

I honestly don't know how people use it without it having an attachment to a smartphone. The only thing that I can think of would be something like the GameKlip, but compatible with that keyboard and fold-able so as to decrease the size.

http://buy.thegameklip.com/products/gameklip-casemount

 

[Crono]

I forgot about the NEC Terrain. Ruggedized Android 4.0 phone.
Considering that they just announced they are leaving the smartphone market, might be bad time (or an excellent time?) to pick one up.

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/nec/terrain-black.html

 

[notposting]

Thanks. I've looked at the Galaxy S keyboards but they are a little scary - the reviews aren't that great. The other Grandmax keyboard that I linked to has some pretty solid 4-5 star reviews.

I have an ultrabook. I have to stop, find somewhere to put it down on, start up the tethering app on my phone, and of course manage the battery life so it doesn't crap out on me (versus carrying 2-3 extra cell phone batteries). I also have to use a mouse because the particular ultrabook that I have (UX32VD) doesn't have the greatest track pad.

My business hours are from 10am to 5pm and onwards at times. I'm also "playing" during this time of the day as well. On the river. On the slopes. In the woods. I've been doing it for years and didn't have nearly the difficulties that I have now as when I had a Sprint Samsung Epic 4G. Of course, the Epic 4G is completely obsolete at this point, but I remember being able to conduct the emailing part of business much, much more efficiently. And back then I didn't have an ultrabook. I didn't have a tablet. I even looked forward to answering emails since they didn't interrupt my day that much. Now it does.

So get a 2013 Macbook Air and a 4G hotspot or USB adapter.

Triage your email when out in the field. Only do long responses when you have access to your keyboard. If you are "playing" then save the real work for when you get back to your keyboard. Have you tried other alternative Android keyboards? Have you tried iOS or WP?

 

[TheStu]

iPad Mini with 4G, and something like this?

 

[yh125d]

Ok guys, I need a new car

It needs to be fast, and handle great. It's gotta be light and nimble, but have great traction in snow and ice. It needs to be sleek yet muscular looking. And it's got to have a nice interior with nice leather and chrome. I need it to seat at least seven too, and be able to tow 8000lbs. And it's got to be economical, probably at least 30mpg highway. Oh and I want to spend around $20k

-----------------------


Have you tried/considered voice dictation?

 

[poofyhairguy]

This is why I asked for recommendations for keyboard attachments. I know that there won't be any more off the shelf slide out keyboard models. That Grandmax keyboard looks prefect and has solid reviews. There's just no way to attach it to a smartphone.

I honestly don't know how people use it without it having an attachment to a smartphone. The only thing that I can think of would be something like the GameKlip, but compatible with that keyboard and fold-able so as to decrease the size.

http://buy.thegameklip.com/products/gameklip-casemount

They make them for the Galaxy S line of phones like I linked. Probably not the Active but the regular S4 should get one.