Will lack of D-Pad create issues?

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I've got a mogul right now and I'm more than likely going to get the Sprint version of this when I'm up for upgrade in December. However, I use the D-Pad a lot and I'm wondering how much I'll miss it on the pro2. I don't get having a windows and back button without a d-pad. What good are they? If you're pushing the screen with your finger you'd just hit it on the screen.

That said though, I'm more than willing to give it up for the huge and gorgeous screen that it has. I just think they could have gotten it in there at the bottom even with all they already have. I hope that it is still pretty one-hand friendly.

The hard keys on the device are raised up and are:
Call | Home | Back | End

Above the hard keys is a touch sensitive zoom bar thing... like a ribbon controller for zoom in/out. Gives you enough room to not touch the screen by accident. The device is extremely responsive to finger touch so I haven't missed the 5 way nav. It's a close run to the G1 or iPhone as far as touch response goes.

Trust me, missing D-Pad is a real pain. I felt it when I bought the Touch HD and throw the damn thing just because it didnt have one.

I read SPB Insight a lot and in that case, D-Pad is a must. You'll know how much you love it only when you miss it!

I dunno, touch flo has come a long way so far I barely use my d-pad anymore. But you're right you don't realize how much you'd miss something till it's gone T_T

I'm in the same boat, going to go from a Mogul to a TP2 when they come out... I find myself using the scroll wheel and d-pad in many instances when it's helpful to hold the phone securely ( driving for example - I know, I know )... I haven't had a touchflo based phone before and was curious what level of voice integration they have added. If they've added a level of voice-based control for doing more than dialing, be it through BT or integrated mics, that'd be pretty cool.

Anyone with this phone played with loading apps through voice input?

humm... I was thinking the same thing. One handed operation will be more difficult at first. Probably get used to it though... how will I play my nes and snes emulators though, lol. But seriously (I was serious about the games) this will take A LOT of time to get used to.

In my personal opinion it will not harm me as I never used a device with D-pad
And my main use of the device is for making calls and surfing the net, I never play on it even with a screen of 5" it´s too small!
For that I prefer to use my desktop computer with a nice 24" monitor

My assumption is that the lack of a D-pad will slow me down with the keyboard closed at first but I'll learn to navigate w/out it. For the games, I usually play with the keyboard out on my Tilt so I don't expect to miss it there.

Playing games is different than walking and navigating with 1 hand, so I think it'll be ok - at least for a larger screen I'm willing to try!

Yesterday I did the math and thought that the screen wasn't going to be much bigger than before (just longer). Today I did the math again and I'm thankful that I was wrong. However, the widescreen aspect does make the 3.6" moniker somewhat decieving as it has slightly less screen area than the iPhone. However, it's still gonna be nice and big .

Touch Pro
Horizontal: 2.8"
Width: 1.68"
Height: 2.24"
Area: 3.76 sq in

Touch Pro2
Horizontal: 3.6"
Width: 1.85"
Height: 3.09"
Area: 5.71 sq in

iPhone
Horizontal 3.5"
Width: 2.8"
Height: 2.1"
Area: 5.88 sq in

Also, this has some advantages in the phone itself as it will be slightly thiner in width than the iphone and be more elongated. Thus, it will look a feel a little less strange holding it to the ear than the iPhone or other HTC phones. Check out this comparison shot from GSMarena.com



Also, when compared with the dimensions of my Titan, there isn't that much difference. It's just a little taller and it's actually thinner. I think this is going to be a perfect form factor. Just wish they could have shoved the D-pad and a few other buttons (Ringer switch?) in there. However, if I load Android on it it probably won't make that much of a difference

HTC Titan: 110 x 59 x 18.5
HTC Rhodium: 116 X 59.2 X 17.25

Thanks for the review!