SGS2, why does everyone love it? Here's why I don't...

[Zaap]

I don't know, my wife seems to speedtype on her iPhone. I'm super slow because I'm too accustomed to seeing the case of the letters change on the keyboard. On her iPhone, I keep thinking stuff is going to be in upper case. Really, once you get used to it, I think it's all equally speedy.

My point is really only that some people seem to understand that something like a keyboard is just a communication tool, not a fashion statement. Those people seem to know how to get their hands on what works, and have no problem carrying out informative conversations.

Others must see a keyboard as something other than what it is, and subsequently can't seem to communicate as effectively. Unscientific I'm sure, but I'd almost wager there's a correlation.

I mean, why else would you even spend two seconds grousing about what someone else prefers as a communication tool, unless you have a relatively low understanding of communication tools?

 

[zerogear]

right. thumb keyboard works well for tablet typing, the split layout is really weird esp for phones lol....

I guess it really depends on how used to it you are. You can change it into formats that you like. I personally like the split on portrait a lot, as it is more comfortable on my hands than standard layout. This is why I use alternative keyboards, for comfort. Nothing bad about default Android keyboard.

Personally Android keyboard is same as iPhone keyboard, the only thing different about iOS is that you can't change the default keyboard to something you feel more comfortable with. So for people who actually like the default keyboards, more power to you.

 

[cheezy321]

Right so you dont have a problem with installing things on your phone.

Do you have a problem with there being more than one type of each app available?

Do you have a problem with spending time researching the multitude of options available just to find a simple working keyboard?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Do you have a problem with spending time researching the multitude of options available just to find a simple working keyboard?

Terrible question. It assumes that the stock keyboard doesn't work.

 

[Zaap]

Do you have a problem with spending time researching the multitude of options available just to find a simple working keyboard?

Why are some people so vehemently opposed to choice? It's weird.

Finding a 'simple working keyboard' isn't a problem- all keyboards work, and most are simple.

The real issue is going beyond 'simple'. Thumb Keyboard for example, is actually thought-through by a dev that understands most actually type with just thumbs on a mobile device. (A big slap across the chops to anyone pretending they're touch-typing on their freaking phone).

So the most comfortable areas for thumbs to reach across a phone screen aren't necessarily right across the bottom, or stretched all the way to the middle of the device like every other keyboard out there. And lo and behold, the dev was right. For me, it allows me to type way faster than the traditional layout that now I find more primitive for the task.

Choice. Accept it. It's not the enemy. If I choose to, I can use a keyboard with no options what-so-ever too.

 

[Red Storm]

If Swype were available on iOS (officially), I bet it would sell like hotcakes. People like choices, especially when those choices offer true alternatives to what you already have (trace typing as opposed to tap typing). Lotta senseless posts in this thread from people who seem to think there's only one single way to interface with a virtual keyboard.

 

[MrX8503]

But iPhones already sell like hotcakes. You like Swype, which is fine, but I'm not sure why you believe your interests are the same as the majority.

I think choice is a good thing, I just don't think iOS only having 1 keyboard is bad either though. iPhones have one of the best keyboards and the best predictive text, so I'm satisfied with the stock keyboard that it comes with.

 

[Zaap]

But iPhones already sell like hotcakes. You like Swype, which is fine, but I'm not sure why you believe your interests are the same as the majority.

I think choice is a good thing, I just don't think iOS only having 1 keyboard is bad either though. iPhones have one of the best keyboards and the best predictive text, so I'm satisfied with the stock keyboard that it comes with.

Why does a thread about the SGS2 become all about people liking the ONE keyboard on the iPhone?

I notice this is the underlying current of so many of these discussions.

Android user: "There's multiple ways of doing things, no one thing is 'the best' for everyone so I'd rather choose what works best for me. Others will do the same for themselves."

iPhone user: "There's ONE perfect way of doing everything.You actually spend time choosing what you like from dozens of options??!! OMG! HOW RIDICULOUS! Look how fucked up everyone else's choices are! Don't they know the ONE TRUE thing and ONLY that??!!"

A microcosm of this just played out in this thread.

 

[bearxor]

Some of you guys call it choice, I call it "not a good OOBE."

 

[cheezy321]

Why does a thread about the SGS2 become all about people liking the ONE keyboard on the iPhone?

I notice this is the underlying current of so many of these discussions.

Android user: "There's multiple ways of doing things, no one thing is 'the best' for everyone so I'd rather choose what works best for me. Others will do the same for themselves."

iPhone user: "There's ONE perfect way of doing everything.You actually spend time choosing what you like from dozens of options??!! OMG! HOW RIDICULOUS! Look how fucked up everyone else's choices are! Don't they know the ONE TRUE thing and ONLY that??!!"

A microcosm of this just played out in this thread.

Dude look at your own post:

Threads like this emphasizes my belief that Android just isn't for people that are "stuck on stock."

You can change every aspect of the phone, and load up any keyboard you want. And it's not difficult to do. Why you'd waste two seconds complaining about stock anything is beyond me.

I can't even fathom trying to explain to my mother that she needs to change out the keyboard on her iPhone. I am imagining the biggest 'WTF?' face ever. For most people the idea of wasting time having to mess with multiple keyboards to find a good fit is rather ridiculous.

 

[MrX8503]

Why does a thread about the SGS2 become all about people liking the ONE keyboard on the iPhone?

I notice this is the underlying current of so many of these discussions.

Android user: "There's multiple ways of doing things, no one thing is 'the best' for everyone so I'd rather choose what works best for me. Others will do the same for themselves."

iPhone user: "There's ONE perfect way of doing everything.You actually spend time choosing what you like from dozens of options??!! OMG! HOW RIDICULOUS! Look how fucked up everyone else's choices are! Don't they know the ONE TRUE thing and ONLY that??!!"

A microcosm of this just played out in this thread.

Did you totally gloss over what I just wrote? I don't have a problem with Andorid having choice, I'm just saying that's it's a non issue for iOS.

 

[Zaap]

Dude look at your own post:

Look at your own. You were EXACTLY the first example iPhone user, to the letter. Pot kettle black much?

I can't even fathom trying to explain to my mother that she needs to change out the keyboard on her iPhone.

My actually mother doesn't have any problems loading apps on her phone, keyboards or otherwise. Again, your 'argument' fits my example microcosm to the letter. "There's ONE perfect way of doing everything.You actually spend time choosing what you like from dozens of options??!!"

I guess one would actually have to be perceptive to realize it, and that's one thing fantatics never are.

 

[Zaap]

Did you totally gloss over what I just wrote? I don't have a problem with Andorid having choice, I'm just saying that's it's a non issue for iOS.

Right because this thread was about iOS.

Once more: "Why does a thread about the SGS2 become all about people liking the ONE keyboard on the iPhone?"

Don't worry, it's really a rhetorical question. Whenever the SGS2 is mentioned, it's like the call goes out to the iFan Overdefensive League to mobilize and start shouting from the rooftops how much they love iOS.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Hey, lets not let this thread get out of hand. I think the point has been made.

Samsung's own keyboard app isn't great. Neither is the Android App. Third party keyboards are good but each have their own limitations.

As a stock keyboard iOS has done an excellent job. While its limited too, I'd say as a whole, the iOS keyboard surpasses any single keyboard that Android has to offer as a complete product. I'm not saying its a BETTER keyboard, but its done a great job in delivering a well polished product.

 

[MrX8503]

Right because this thread was about iOS.

Once more: "Why does a thread about the SGS2 become all about people liking the ONE keyboard on the iPhone?"

Don't worry, it's really a rhetorical question. Whenever the SGS2 is mentioned, it's like the call goes out to the iFan Overdefensive League to mobilize and start shouting from the rooftops how much they love iOS.

It looks like you're the one with the issue. I don't take offense with these comparisons. Just so you know, the OP brought up the iPhone.

 

[Zaap]

While its limited too, I'd say as a whole, the iOS keyboard surpasses any single keyboard that Android has to offer as a complete product.

How? Why does no choice of layout, no configuration options, no long-press alternate keys "surpasses any single keyboard that Android has to offer"?

How about some substantive reasons. Hint: "Because Apple made it" or "because I think so" isn't actual substance.

 

[QueBert]

I will say this about "choice" it's only important if you like the choices. I'd gladly pay $50 for an exact clone of the keyboard that the iPhone has. So to me imho I could give a shit about having 50 different keyboard choices, since the one I want doesn't exist. It's the #1 I miss from my iPhone.

 

[QueBert]

*dupe wtf*

 

[Spoooon]

I will say this about "choice" it's only important if you like the choices. I'd gladly pay $50 for an exact clone of the keyboard that the iPhone has. So to me imho I could give a shit about having 50 different keyboard choices, since the one I want doesn't exist. It's the #1 I miss from my iPhone.

Are you really missing the keyboard? I can understand back in the Droid 1 days where you didn't really have a true multitouch keyboard, but these days? I find it lacking in features. Even my wife, who is way in love with her 4S, prefers Swiftkey (just stuff like the long press for punctuation and what not).

 

[ilkhan]

How? Why does no choice of layout, no configuration options, no long-press alternate keys "surpasses any single keyboard that Android has to offer"?

Its iPerfect and if you iDisagree its you who are iWrong.

 

[MrX8503]

How? Why does no choice of layout, no configuration options, no long-press alternate keys "surpasses any single keyboard that Android has to offer"?

How about some substantive reasons. Hint: "Because Apple made it" or "because I think so" isn't actual substance.

I'm sure there are very excellent 3rd party keyboards, but I'll tell you why I enjoy using the iPhone keyboard the best, since you're wondering.

Multitouch keys didn't come until the DroidX, at least AFAIK. By that time I already bought the iPhone. Also the predictive bubbles on the iPhone is way better than the predictive bar that Android devices have. Here's an example:

Way way better than the bar. Which leads me to the next point, the predictive text on the iPhone DESTROYS all other keyboards. I haven't used the newest and greatest Android keyboard, but that has been my experience. The iPhone predicts 1 word and gets it right almost as much as the Android variant that needs to suggest 5 words. Its faster to look at 1 word and see if its right, than scan 5 words while typing. Another thing is that the predict bubble is next to the word being corrected, this reduces the double take looking back and forth that you would have with a bar thats farther away from your cursor.

I also prefer the layout of the keys on the iPhone. If you look, there's actual space between the keys. A lot of Android devices I come across the keys may be large, but there's little to no space in between.

Then to top it all off, iOS has universal copy/paste and magnification to move the cursor. There are select Android phones that have this now, but that wasn't always the case. You may disagree, which is fine, but those are the reasons why I've stuck with the iOS keyboard.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I'm sure there are very excellent 3rd party keyboards, but I'll tell you why I enjoy using the iPhone keyboard the best, since you're wondering.

Multitouch keys didn't come until the DroidX, at least AFAIK. By that time I already bought the iPhone. Also the predictive bubbles on the iPhone is way better than the predictive bar that Android devices have. Here's an example:

Way way better than the bar. Which leads me to the next point, the predictive text on the iPhone DESTROYS all other keyboards. I haven't used the newest and greatest Android keyboard, but that has been my experience. The iPhone predicts 1 word and gets it right almost as much as the Android variant that needs to suggest 5 words. Its faster to look at 1 word and see if its right, than scan 5 words while typing.

I also prefer the layout of the keys on the iPhone. If you look, there's actual space between the keys. A lot of Android devices I come across the keys may be large, but there's little to no space in between.

Then to top it all off, iOS has universal copy/paste and magnification to move the cursor. There are select Android phones that have this now, but that wasn't always the case. You may disagree, which is fine, but those are the reasons why I've stuck with the iOS keyboard.

The iOS text prediction is hardly impressive, Swiftkey not only guesses the word correctly but the vast majority of the time it gets the next 2-3 words correct as well before I even have to type a single letter.

 

[Zaap]

Multitouch keys didn't come until the DroidX, at least AFAIK. By that time I already bought the iPhone. Also the predictive bubbles on the iPhone is way better than the predictive bar that Android devices have. Here's an example:

First off, thanks for a substantive post. It's refreshing when people actually state their case logically, not just insisting things like a four year old throwing a tantrum.

Way way better than the bar. Which leads me to the next point, the predictive text on the iPhone DESTROYS all other keyboards.

I disagree. I don't dislike the predictive text on the iPhone, I just don't find it to be the best. It certainly doesn't destroy all other keyboards.

For example:

If I just start typing, say, Th.. iOS gives me zip, nada, bumpkiss.

Maybe I'm just typing The, which is fine, but maybe I'm typing That or There or Them or whatever else.

'The bar' as you call it, starts giving me predictions from the first letter- and by the way it's usually right on it's first guess also, just it also gives me other options. I can flick my thumb and keep scrolling through even more options- heck, maybe I was typing the word Therefore. It'll be there.

The end result is, I end up not having to type much- the predictions usually mean I type a few letters and the word auto-completes.

Another thing is that the predict bubble is next to the word being corrected, this reduces the double take looking back and forth that you would have with a bar thats farther away from your cursor.

That is a nice feature, but it assumes one watches the cursor mostly when entering text. I find it second nature to be looking more toward the predictive bar. Watching the cursor for me implies I'm watching the words form as I type them. I'm more often seeing the full word pop up after only typing a few characters, which I find more helpful, because I'm rarely typing the full word.

I also prefer the layout of the keys on the iPhone. If you look, there's actual space between the keys. A lot of Android devices I come across the keys may be large, but there's little to no space in between.

You have to know that all such things are fully-customizable on the better third party keyboards. I can load a keyboard that's practically a carbon copy of the iPhone keyboard (as far as spacing and look) or I can go into the settings and tweak the hell out of the keyboard spacing, key size, height, fonts, etc etc.

Then to top it all off, iOS has universal copy/paste and magnification to move the cursor.

This one you're right; I do love the way magnification works in iOS when you need to move the cursor- it's brilliant. Copy/paste is better too, although I don't mind it in Android.

But overall, I just don't find the iOS keyboard all that impressive. It's not that it's bad, it's just nothing for iFans to be so smug about with all the 'it DESTROYS everything!!' posturing. No it doesn't. At the end of the day, I find that the missing features that I'm used to having available in more advanced keyboards negate the positives. For one, no long-press alternate keys to me is just downright primitive.

 

[Pia]

I tried Swype and did not really like it but the idea is solid; what's great about is how you don't actually need to know about the extra functionality in order to use the keyboard as a regular one.

Would like to see a new virtual keyboard design using simultaneous short swipe chords. (Not for the general user, not very intuitive, needs memorization, but potential to be much, much better than this other stuff.)

 

[MrX8503]

First off, thanks for a substantive post. It's refreshing when people actually state their case logically, not just insisting things like a four year old throwing a tantrum.


I disagree. I don't dislike the predictive text on the iPhone, I just don't find it to be the best. It certainly doesn't destroy all other keyboards.

For example:

If I just start typing, say, Th.. iOS gives me zip, nada, bumpkiss.

Maybe I'm just typing The, which is fine, but maybe I'm typing That or There or Them or whatever else.

'The bar' as you call it, starts giving me predictions from the first letter- and by the way it's usually right on it's first guess also, just it also gives me other options. I can flick my thumb and keep scrolling through even more options- heck, maybe I was typing the word Therefore. It'll be there.

The end result is, I end up not having to type much- the predictions usually mean I type a few letters and the word auto-completes.

No problem

I think this is a matter of preference. My preference is if I'm typing "the" or even "therefore" I prefer it to not predict my words right away or even at all. Its faster for me to just type it all the way through than being stopped constantly seeing if it predicted it correctly. However iOS will intervene and make suggestions if its typed incorrectly or if it thinks you're typing a special word you've added. It'll also predict text for longer words because a longer word would warrant that assistance.

I could be mistaken, but I think you can change this behavior in iOS to predict right away.

That is a nice feature, but it assumes one watches the cursor mostly when entering text. I find it second nature to be looking more toward the predictive bar. Watching the cursor for me implies I'm watching the words form as I type them. I'm more often seeing the full word pop up after only typing a few characters, which I find more helpful, because I'm rarely typing the full word.

This is probably another preference. When you're typing there are 3 areas that fight for your visual space; what you're typing, the actual keyboard, and the predictive text bar/bubble. If you can consolidate these 3 things, you can type faster. I type blind and only look at what I'm typing and the occasional predict text if I need it. Since the bubble is next to the cursor that reduces my visual space even further.

The way you type is probably faster for you, but this is an explanation of how I type. I was never able to comfortably type the way you do it.

You have to know that all such things are fully-customizable on the better third party keyboards. I can load a keyboard that's practically a carbon copy of the iPhone keyboard (as far as spacing and look) or I can go into the settings and tweak the hell out of the keyboard spacing, key size, height, fonts, etc etc.

That is a nice option. I just wanted to point out that a lot of keyboard makers totally miss the spacing between keys part. Its logical, but it doesn't happen and the majority of keyboards have tight fitting keys.