Software keyboard vs hardware keyboard.

[WDawn]

I do a LOT of email and texting and i use a Tytn with hardware keyboard now. But my Tytn is slowly dying. I need a replacement.

I need a little help here:

- Any hardcore email/texting fans that happily work with an onscreen keyboard? Looks tempting, because the formfactor is way better. Or do i need a phone with a hardware keyboard?

- Are there any tests/reviews that compare hardware vs software keyboard in typing speed and typos?

[pachjo]

I bought my TyTnII because of the qwerty hardware keyboard but I find I harldy use it.

I use Resco keyboard as welll as some of the other inbuilt ones.

[Zaknafein21]

- Are there any tests/reviews that compare hardware vs software keyboard in typing speed and typos?

The Hardware Keyboard was a main reason to buy my phone.
If you speak German you should read this.
http://www.golem.de/0711/56006.html

if not here´s a little summary

iphone keyboard VS Hardware Keyboard
-Both groups tipped equal fast
-5,4 mistakes per mail (iphone) 1,4 hardware keyboard.
-the people in the test voted for preferred method and 85% liked the hardware keyboard better.

[2manyphones]

If you want my opinion, I have done a LOT of comparison between various on screen keyboards and hardware keyboards and for me I can type faster on my Touch with PCM Keyboard and my custom skins and layouts than any of my hardware keyboards.

The reason is simple. With a screen keyboard (and the right software/skin/layout) I am able to take elements from hardware keyboards and various other quicker input methods.

For example, on my PCM skins, I added a features from my BlackBerry 8310, where you press and hold a letter for a caps and press and hold the space bar for a period and a space. I added elements from the iPhone keyboard of holding and sliding your finger for numbers, symbols, .com, etc that is not possible with a hard keyboard. On the number page, the numbers are bigger than any hard keyboard I have seen.

For me size and weight is one of the biggest factors. I like to keep my phone in my pocket (don't like cases or clips) and all my hardware keyboards (with the exception of the S710) are too big and heavy. I use the touch over the iPhone because of weight and size as well.

[rorydaredkign]

Forget about keyboards, and get the phone you want, keyboard or not, then if its too bad, you can always pick up a bluetooth keyboard to put in a bag when you need to do some hardcore writing.
That's what I'm planning to do if I get a Diamond

[andrey08]

I am new to WM as before had only a regular Sony E. cellphone and I hated T9.
I now use a touchscreen only phone ( atom life).

I use fitaly and lately created a PCM fitaly layout ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2413491&posted=1#post2413491 )

its quick for me. i dont miss having buttons to press. but i dont always like covering up usually 20% to 50% of the screen

you should try using your tytn with just software kb for a week. see if it fits your needs. give it maybe 2-3 days per sip of your choice.

Popular finger sips: Diamond and similar HTCs, PCM , tengo thumb/regular, resco ... many others
for stylus only i do recommend fitaly, there are others...but im used to something.

True about the bluetooth KB for when u need it

[WDawn]

Thank you for your replies! Will try type with the software keyboard on my Tytn. Great test between the Iphone and Blackberry btw, wich makes me think that'll have to stick with the hardware keyboard.

[Paperless]

Bluetooth keyboard! I did try all three methods for more than a year each and external folding keyboard is wayyyy better.