Most important : OS or Keyboard

[paniq]

Here's a topic : Which is the most important feature of your psion - an inbuilt keyboard or the OS features?

If by 2004 there was a few palm sized devices running Sym OS6 or OS7 (say SE P800 and also PDA-only versions) and PockPC devices with inbuilt keyboards, which would you plump for?

Something with a keyboard (probably with calculator style buttons) and an OS that sucks battery life fast and falls over every so often

or

Nice OS but no keyboard, other than external add ons.

Your current psion has broken down beyond repair, your back-up machines were stolen in a robbery, and 2nd hand machines cost too much due to demand outstripping supply.

[netBookBabe]

Nic, this is TOO cruel!!! ;)

I can't vote, because neither device would do for me.

Julie

[diem]

I've gone for Symbian OS.

By that time handwriting recognition will be flawless (look at the already excellent Calligrapher) and a flat handheld or tablet device is at a better angle to write on than a clamshell. Bring it on :D

[WolfUK]

I'm with Julie here ... I'd avoid both devices and probably go back to pen and paper! :(

However, for me the built-in keyboard is the most important feature but the keyboard would have to be at least as good as the one the Revo has, prefperably like the 5mx keyboard and ideally like the netBook keyboard.

[Stargazer]

One strength of EPOC as implemented on the Psion 5/7/NetBook is that it allows you to do almost everything with *either* the pointer or the keyboard (half the menu options have keyboard shortcuts, and those that don't can still be accessed using the Menu and arrow keys).

On the Palm (so I understand), the stylus is king and even with a keyboard, you still have to use the stylus for program control. On the other end of the spectrum, the HP Jornada 72x (the one with the keyboard) has a "right click menu" where you have to hold down the Alt key and tap the screen to access it!

So the keyboard is important, but the OS and applications have to support it fully also.

[markdeppe]

Most important feature for my primary device is both a great OS and a great keybpoard hence a netbook, one without the other is no use for me. But for a second device then the OS is most important especially as it would need to be the same as the netbook and thus data transfer via IR would be seamless. So something like the P800 through preferably a bit samller would be ideal.

[paniq]

It is a cruel choice, but there's no point doing a poll if it was only a hobsons choice.

I've plumped for keyboard - I tried a PPC2002 device out for just over a week and text input is frustraiting - neat on one hand but makes several mistakes unless you are really slow (or use the keyboard input in which case its just really slow), so at the present time I'd take a keyboard device.

After reading some of your posts :

Diem, if handwriting recog does get to that stage (or processors get fast enough to cope with full voice recog like on a desktop), then I'd change my vote as Symbian OS is streets ahead of palm ppc.

Of course Electric Ink may be in common use (for those who don't know its a pen that uses normal ink and you write on a normal pad of paper, however your pen movements are tracked and what appears on the paper also appears on the PDA)

Stargazer, have you tried deleting things from the psion that pops up a yes/no dialogue box that requires pen-only confirmation - annoying!!

[Jack B Nimble]

I'd have to go with Julie on this, neither one would work for me. I'd might wind up using the Symbian one for carrying books and reference material, but I'd still have to lug a laptop around to write on. Very frustrating.

In all actuality, I would more likely go with a third alternative. If the AlphaSmart Dana (or its successor) were still available, that might make an interesting choice. Then there is the new model of the Sharp Zaurus with Linux, a 640x480 screen and what looks like a usable keyboard - currently its only available in Japan, but that's how the previous Zaurus started before they imported it here.

I can't speak for anyone else, but if I wasn't willing to look beyond the two obvious choices, I never would have ended up with a Series 7. Psion never made much of an attempt at marketing here in the U.S.

Paniq - BTW, at least on my 7Book, when the file delete confirmation comes up, I can use the 'Y' or 'N' keys instead of tapping the screen. I'm pretty sure it worked the same way before the upgrade as well.

[Stargazer]

The Y and N key shortcuts are valid on the 5mx as well. Of course, you could always use your fingernail to tap the button!

[makoman50]

i would say that the major selling point of a psion to me was the intergrated keyboard. OSs are no problem for me i can learn a new one easily enough, sure it's bothersome but hey! in fact i wish epoc was a little bit more compatible, with things such as screen size for revo (eg. palm software is out there by the gallon). sometimes i wish that the revo had a seconed screen on the back of the lcd cover (top of the clamshell), oriented portrait style, so that one could see what one had to do, or what have you.
cheers, hope this adds to the general befuddlement of this topic!
makoman

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by makoman50
OSs are no problem for me i can learn a new one easily enough...Makoman, I'm certain that most people here have no problem whatsoever in "learning" a new OS! :rolleyes:

The salient point is whether that OS, whatever it may be, can cater for our requirements, and at the moment the outlook in that respect is a little bleak.

For me, the other aspect is that even if I were to make compromises on the OS, I would still require a keyboard at least as good as the one on the netBook - a "calculator style" one just doesn't cut it - hence my abstention from the current poll.

Julie

[makoman50]

difinately julie, i thing that the agenda and gneral usability are some of the most important parts of an os. i had a 3c which has a certifiably screwy keyboard small keys far apart alot of travel. i think that the revo keyboard is a little small for long typing, although i have typed docs 1500 words on it, but adaquite. i use the agenda and to do features as a homework diary and coursework schedule (i realize this is a minor selling point for most because they are not still in school). i think that the today view in the base window is rather ingenius. but i would still sacrifice os for a keyboard. i do agree that the choice is a LITTLE cruel, becasue there alwyas will be a pda matching specs we like out there.......
cheers
makoman

[paniq]

Yes, I think calculator style buttons would be pants, but those manufacturers who are including inbuilt keyboards (or intending to) all seem to be going for calculator style keyboards.

One reason I wasn't tempted to go the Nok communicator route is the keyboard (the other the bulkiness compared to revo+)

I loved the S5 keyboard, and whilst the revo+ one isn't as good its still far superior to any other devices with inbuilt keyboards.

I do believe (or is it hope :D ) that keyboard devices will become more popular, but it would be longer before any use a keyboard at least as good as revo.

Nic

[Basss]

Hello there, I think that if the next generation Symbian driven PDA's don't have a qwerty I have to buy a machine wich has a good keyboard. I own a 5MX and a Osaris (Oregon Scientific...)
I think the P800 isn't my machine 'cause it doesn't have a qwerty... I'm considering to buy a communicator. lets say a 9290 series. Or sould I wait to see what one of these machines will do?
(Afgelopen week is op de Symbian Partner Event (SPE) in London bekendgemaakt dat er momenteel, door diverse partijen, 20 nieuwe machines in ontwikkeling zijn ! Van Nokia, Siemens, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson en Sharp stond dit al vast. Motorola heeft een prototype aangemeld onder de naam "Paragon": een pengestuurde PDA met geavanceerde communicatie mogelijkheden die in 2003 het licht zal zien. Ook van Panasonic en Sendo worden machines verwacht. Het gaat nu ineens wel erg hard...) (symbian.info)
I think we will be surprised what other companies are going to produce with symbian os..
I've seen a review of a NTT DoCoMo smartphone wich is running a symbian os (8??) wich includes UMTS and a digi cam and al the useal pim's and so on.
I'm betting on that horse I think.

[Basss]

http://www.symbian.com/press-office/2002/pr021210.html

[stefank60]

For me the keyboard is everything. Jabbing at a virtual keyboard on screen like some madman just doesn't hack it for me - the other pDA's are just toy's for my money. Give ma a 3mx anyday - and depending how I get on with my 5mx - only had it 3 days - give me a 5mx anyday :D


stef

[paniq]

Originally posted by Basss
Hello there, I think that if the next generation Symbian driven PDA's don't have a qwerty I have to buy a machine wich has a good keyboard. I own a 5MX and a Osaris (Oregon Scientific...)
I think the P800 isn't my machine 'cause it doesn't have a qwerty... I'm considering to buy a communicator. lets say a 9290 series.


I'm wondering if someone will develop an add on keyboard as a replacement flip for the numeric one

[Basss]

There is one allready....
:D