I'm really beginning to question how well the keyboard works on the touch interface. Apple says it's perfect, of course, but I have pretty big fingers, easily twice or maybe even three times the size of one of the tiny buttons. Between the typos that were made at the WWDC and the fact that apple never, ever shows anyone actually typing in any commercials or anywhere on their website, I'm skeptical.
The guided tour shows some thumb-typing and it seems to work fine. So, unless your pointer finger is bigger than most people's thumbs, you should be okay.
You can see that the typist isn't perfect in the demo - he often misses the exact key, but the iPhone is still figuring out which key he intends to press. I honestly think that by taking the time to think about how their keyboard will work, Apple has been able to really make a software keyboard that works.
I think if you take that demonstration at face value, then you are the exact kind of sucker Apple is preying on with that kind of advertisement.
First of all, even if it is an actual person manipulating the device, do you think Apple would include the footage where the person screwed up an mis-typed? I bet to recreate that video in the perfect way it is now would take at least triple the length of it, just because of all the mistakes you would make.
Secondly, someone below points out that the hand very well could be superimposed in the video, while the iPhone is being controlled remotely in some other way. If you look closely, sometimes the touches don't all sync properly as you would expect them to.
MDB, you're always such a cynic in all these iPhone comment threads. I'm basing my belief on my past experience with Apple Products which I can often use exactly how I expect to use them. This is because Apple take the time needed to make the user experience "just work".
Steve Jobs would not have shipped this product with a keyboard that only works some of the time, or for some people. He is a perfectionist, and while I am not contending that the iPhone is entirely perfect, I do believe that Apple does not need to pull out the special effects crews to produce a demo of a product that people will be touching with their own fingers in just over a week.
Of course Apple only includes takes in which everything works as it should. Just as of course Apple compares their product in a chart designed to make it look favorable compared to all other products on the chart. You're not smarter for assuming other human beings don't already know this and include this in their judgements when encountered with such a presentation.
You know, there is always somebody in every Apple story who feels the compulsive need to say "just works" and "so much thought went into it." Do you really think that every company but Apple just throws random parts together without any thought or concern for how it works, and hopes everything will be OK? Do you really think that Palm, a company that has already sold more PDAs and Smartphones that Apple probably will for many years, never thought about how to make their devices work?
I understand that Apple fits a certain lifestyle and aesthetic, and thus is much beloved by some people, but it isn't like the rest of the industry is just sitting around goofing off. Just looking at devices like the Helio Ocean or HTC Mogul will give you a good indication of how Apple can't be THAT focused on perfection. What is the point point of a mobile data device with a crappy data connection? What's the point of having mapping software when the device can't even figure out where it is? No, the iPhone is very much a compromise device, just like every other smartphone on the market, it is just one with a bigger marketing budget. In many ways, it is really just a Sidekick without the keyboard.
You're right, Alan, I am a cynic. And I believe it makes me a better consumer. Not buying into all of Apple's marketing before I even try the device at all makes me smarter than you. So, go ahead and believe everything Apple tells you--the Nokia N95 doesn't have WiFi, remember? I'll wait until I hold the device in my hand before I assume everything works like they say it does.
If you say your fingers are larger than average, then don't you even have problems using tiny fixed keyboards. Maybe if you just used your pinky for swiping and gestures the touch screen might be suitable for you. Obviously the device is not going to be for everyone. Even I can't imagine how well it will work in the wintertime or rainy days especially if you have to do a lot of text messaging. Obviously it's a try before you buy situation. I wonder if they give a trial period in case you want to return it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 12:59PM
I'm really beginning to question how well the keyboard works on the touch interface. Apple says it's perfect, of course, but I have pretty big fingers, easily twice or maybe even three times the size of one of the tiny buttons. Between the typos that were made at the WWDC and the fact that apple never, ever shows anyone actually typing in any commercials or anywhere on their website, I'm skeptical.
James @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:04PM
The guided tour shows some thumb-typing and it seems to work fine. So, unless your pointer finger is bigger than most people's thumbs, you should be okay.
Bart Lee @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:17PM
The Hand of God types 'seafood' during the calamari spot. Of course, they probably wouldn't use the take where he made a typo.
Alan Carr @ Jun 22nd 2007 3:57PM
You can see that the typist isn't perfect in the demo - he often misses the exact key, but the iPhone is still figuring out which key he intends to press. I honestly think that by taking the time to think about how their keyboard will work, Apple has been able to really make a software keyboard that works.
MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:24PM
I think if you take that demonstration at face value, then you are the exact kind of sucker Apple is preying on with that kind of advertisement.
First of all, even if it is an actual person manipulating the device, do you think Apple would include the footage where the person screwed up an mis-typed? I bet to recreate that video in the perfect way it is now would take at least triple the length of it, just because of all the mistakes you would make.
Secondly, someone below points out that the hand very well could be superimposed in the video, while the iPhone is being controlled remotely in some other way. If you look closely, sometimes the touches don't all sync properly as you would expect them to.
Alan Carr @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:36PM
MDB, you're always such a cynic in all these iPhone comment threads. I'm basing my belief on my past experience with Apple Products which I can often use exactly how I expect to use them. This is because Apple take the time needed to make the user experience "just work".
Steve Jobs would not have shipped this product with a keyboard that only works some of the time, or for some people. He is a perfectionist, and while I am not contending that the iPhone is entirely perfect, I do believe that Apple does not need to pull out the special effects crews to produce a demo of a product that people will be touching with their own fingers in just over a week.
Of course Apple only includes takes in which everything works as it should. Just as of course Apple compares their product in a chart designed to make it look favorable compared to all other products on the chart. You're not smarter for assuming other human beings don't already know this and include this in their judgements when encountered with such a presentation.
L. M. Lloyd @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:57PM
To Alan Carr:
You know, there is always somebody in every Apple story who feels the compulsive need to say "just works" and "so much thought went into it." Do you really think that every company but Apple just throws random parts together without any thought or concern for how it works, and hopes everything will be OK? Do you really think that Palm, a company that has already sold more PDAs and Smartphones that Apple probably will for many years, never thought about how to make their devices work?
I understand that Apple fits a certain lifestyle and aesthetic, and thus is much beloved by some people, but it isn't like the rest of the industry is just sitting around goofing off. Just looking at devices like the Helio Ocean or HTC Mogul will give you a good indication of how Apple can't be THAT focused on perfection. What is the point point of a mobile data device with a crappy data connection? What's the point of having mapping software when the device can't even figure out where it is? No, the iPhone is very much a compromise device, just like every other smartphone on the market, it is just one with a bigger marketing budget. In many ways, it is really just a Sidekick without the keyboard.
MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 7:28PM
You're right, Alan, I am a cynic. And I believe it makes me a better consumer. Not buying into all of Apple's marketing before I even try the device at all makes me smarter than you. So, go ahead and believe everything Apple tells you--the Nokia N95 doesn't have WiFi, remember? I'll wait until I hold the device in my hand before I assume everything works like they say it does.
Constable Odo @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:03PM
If you say your fingers are larger than average, then don't you even have problems using tiny fixed keyboards. Maybe if you just used your pinky for swiping and gestures the touch screen might be suitable for you. Obviously the device is not going to be for everyone. Even I can't imagine how well it will work in the wintertime or rainy days especially if you have to do a lot of text messaging. Obviously it's a try before you buy situation. I wonder if they give a trial period in case you want to return it.