RIM applies for triangular keyboard layout patent

Big, tactile, and fast QWERTY keyboards are the Blackberry's defining characteristic: why then is RIM showing signs that it's going to mess with their tried and tested formula? In the second patent application to surface from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a series of drawings show a Blackberry design with a keyboard that features up to six different letters on large, triangular shaped keys, although the majority of the keyboard designs group three letters onto each key. As a logical extension of the BB Pearl's space saving -- but mushy -- two letter per key combo, it's natural that RIM would want to control the rights to these kind of keyboard layouts. Still, as a history of failed keyboard designs indicate, there's very little chance that this kind of layout would catch on were it to be released in a physical product. If you ask us, the real money's in tactile touchscreen keypads. That's not thinking different, it's thinking better.

[Via Unwired View]

[KGM @ Feb 11th 2007 3:03AM]

You act as if no one has ever thought of an onscreen touchscreen keyboard before. Apple is the follower here, look for iPhone rev B to come with a slide out keyboard once they get it thin enough.

[helloUser @ Feb 11th 2007 3:24AM]

Touchscreen qwerty keypads are 'better' ??? No theyr not, youll be mashing all the keys on a dwarf sized screen. What happens if you have fatass mcdonalds fingers? Good luck text messaging.

[calvin @ Feb 11th 2007 3:46AM]

KGM & helloUser

keyword:TACTILE

[Revrant2394 @ Feb 11th 2007 3:59AM]

Can't resist a chance to smooch at Apple can you?

[Derek De Vine @ Feb 11th 2007 4:08AM]

what would be really cool! is if apple would make the iphone have a slight vibrate when you type of a key in the email and text app. Just so you know your pressing the key.

[DDD @ Feb 11th 2007 4:14AM]

Suretype on iphone! yea!

[undersaur @ Feb 11th 2007 7:36AM]

For crying out loud. Can we issue a moratorium on the iPhone, please?

[NLI @ Feb 11th 2007 7:44AM]

I wonder how RIM are allowed to file patent on a slight variation of what is already on the market, ie: http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/3200

Using the same button for different functions, a-la Nintendo + shaped cursor or Nokia 3200 should all fall under "funny looking keys" patent...

[Jonesy @ Feb 11th 2007 8:11AM]

Like the Samsung F700. Thats a touch screen handset with a vibrate when you touch it (also has a slide out qwert too). To my knowledge the iPhone is a plain ole simple touch screen.

I'll probably pick an iPhone up, but I don't see why it is now the benchmark to compare everything to (it's not even been released yet).

The sketches for those triangle keys look awful, Nokia phones suffered for a wile by designing unusable keypads, don't know why RIM would want to tinker around with it's winning (and main) formula.

[Jonesy @ Feb 11th 2007 8:43AM]

Excuse the early morning spelling mistakes lol!

[Andrew Cooper @ Feb 11th 2007 10:17AM]

Considering the QWERTY keyboard layout was designed to slow typing (at least on a full size keyboard) why shouldn't other designs be considered, particularly at the small size required for use on a hand held device?

I'd like to see a design with keys split between the top and bottom of the device. Power users only need apply.

[Andrew Fong @ Feb 11th 2007 11:21AM]

The iPhone qwerty keyboard is not tactile, but it does convey information through visual means. When you press a key, even if you don't feel it, the virtual key will expand in size, telling you which key you hit. If Apple's smart, the letter won't be entered until you let go of the touchscreen. This way, if you hit the wrong key, you can slide around until you find the right one before letting go.

It's not as fast as tactile feedback but it's not as if you'll be hitting the backspace key all day long.

[Aaron @ Feb 11th 2007 2:19PM]

It occurred to me that they might be doing this because someone complained that the thing had too many buttons. Of course, it still doesn't mean it's a good idea...

[Tom @ Feb 11th 2007 2:54PM]

Looks like shark teeth. I wonder if a key broke off if new ones would grow back in their place.

[goldcd @ Feb 11th 2007 3:50PM]

What we need is a combination of qwerty and predictive text.
Currently we have predictive text on some systems with few buttons (causing endless, corrections) and qwerty boards, producing endless slight typos.
If somebody would combine the two together, I'd be a happy bunny - i.e. I type a 5 letter word on a pseudo qwerty and the dictionary doesn't recognise the word, but does if it transposed one letters for one of the letters surrounded the key I may have 'mistyped' with my fat fingers.

[PEZ @ Feb 11th 2007 11:00PM]

someone already thought of this

http://www.me3.info/

[NyaR @ Feb 11th 2007 11:19PM]

"That's not thinking different, it's thinking better." lol what a cliche
touchscreen keyboards are pretty but they are not functional. I would love to see you attempt a high WPM on a touchscreen keyboard vs a traditional one with buttons. Or try fiddling with your touchscreen controlled gadget while driving, cant really do it by feel. Watch for an increase in driving casualties of I-Crap groupies with the release of the iphone..

[rj @ Feb 12th 2007 8:41AM]

"...the real money's in *tactile touchscreen* keypads."

hey conrad, please look up the definition for: oxymoron.

[Derek @ Feb 13th 2007 1:27PM]

what would be really cool! is if apple would make the iphone have a slight vibrate when you type of a key in the email and text app. Just so you know your pressing the key.

[Derek @ Feb 13th 2007 1:27PM]

what would be really cool! is if apple would make the iphone have a slight vibrate when you type of a key in the email and text app. Just so you know your pressing the key.