Related
Hey everyone. You probably hate these post, just wanted to say hi. I recently upgraded from my 6800 Mogul to the HTC Touch Pro. I must say I really enjoy it thus far. Thats why I'm here. To help, learn, and get the most out of my device. Thanks
Boostking said:
Hey everyone. You probably hate these post, just wanted to say hi. I recently upgraded from my 6800 Mogul to the HTC Touch Pro. I must say I really enjoy it thus far. Thats why I'm here. To help, learn, and get the most out of my device. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome! we do not hate introduction posts lol
we are always glad to have new enthusiastic members!
Boostking said:
Hey everyone. You probably hate these post, just wanted to say hi. I recently upgraded from my 6800 Mogul to the HTC Touch Pro. I must say I really enjoy it thus far. Thats why I'm here. To help, learn, and get the most out of my device. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! I can't wait to get my Touch 3G I am sure the extra umph power is always good. Tell us more about your Touch Pro how is it going with shipped ROM?
I am on Sprint. Thus far its a far superior phone to my 6800 which I really did love. The fit and finish is very nice, the tolerances seem nice, and there are a lot less buttons to create little crevaces for dirt. I have added some normal apps to it like google maps, musicID and dashwire. This thing is very very fast. I wish it had a bit more rigid screen however the VGA screen on this is very nice, it just could feel a bit more firm. It is loaded with great things, moves quickly, and the mercury switches in it are very very sensitive. So far so good. I'm looking for some cool apps, tricks and other things to make this thing more fun.
Boostking said:
I am on Sprint. Thus far its a far superior phone to my 6800 which I really did love. The fit and finish is very nice, the tolerances seem nice, and there are a lot less buttons to create little crevaces for dirt. I have added some normal apps to it like google maps, musicID and dashwire. This thing is very very fast. I wish it had a bit more rigid screen however the VGA screen on this is very nice, it just could feel a bit more firm. It is loaded with great things, moves quickly, and the mercury switches in it are very very sensitive. So far so good. I'm looking for some cool apps, tricks and other things to make this thing more fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of my friends has the same phone - also by sprint, but it seems to lack the mercury switches; odd.
Believe it or not, I was going to go for the touch pro, but decided against it as it came in black. Got sick of black gadgets now let's throw some colour in.
zeezee said:
One of my friends has the same phone - also by sprint, but it seems to lack the mercury switches; odd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps its not mercury switches. someone told me thats what they are called. I'm talking about those little sensors that allow you to flip and rotate things by changing the landscape of the phone.
zocster said:
Believe it or not, I was going to go for the touch pro, but decided against it as it came in black. Got sick of black gadgets now let's throw some colour in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually picked it up in the silver...I think the black looks better, but it smudges a lot and this one stays relatively clean looking.
Boostking said:
I actually picked it up in the silver...I think the black looks better, but it smudges a lot and this one stays relatively clean looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sheesh I have to check out the sprint website. I can't see it anywhere on expansys other than black!
Boostking said:
perhaps its not mercury switches. someone told me thats what they are called. I'm talking about those little sensors that allow you to flip and rotate things by changing the landscape of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boostking said:
I actually picked it up in the silver...I think the black looks better, but it smudges a lot and this one stays relatively clean looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Physical rotation of the phone rotates the phone portrait? Those are mercury switches.
also, you can edit posts instead of double posting
zeezee said:
Physical rotation of the phone rotates the phone portrait? Those are mercury switches.
also, you can edit posts instead of double posting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you saying your friends phone didnt have the switches, or am i just confused cause its late.??
and yeah, i havent been on a forum in a long long time
Boostking said:
are you saying your friends phone didnt have the switches, or am i just confused cause its late.??
and yeah, i havent been on a forum in a long long time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friends phone doesn't have the switches.
zeezee said:
My friends phone doesn't have the switches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean the G-sensor right? lol. I've never heard of mercury switches. And I don't see how they could be missing??? Hmm. Tell him to install G-sen and that other app gyrator 2 or something like that in the diamond forum. It should fix his problem.
Kraize92 said:
You mean the G-sensor right? lol. I've never heard of mercury switches. And I don't see how they could be missing??? Hmm. Tell him to install G-sen and that other app gyrator 2 or something like that in the diamond forum. It should fix his problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically in my mind i think the term "mercury switches" makes perfect sense. This is how i see it; mercury is a liquid metal thus conductive and free to move with the pull of gravity. Imagine the mercury switch as like a 2D diamond shape - 4 corners with a drop of mercury inside. So when for example, you rotate the phone (only 4 distinct directions) upside down the mercury will close the "upside down/top corner of the diamond" circuit, thus signaling the software to change/rotate accordingly.
Otherwise maybe you could use a ball-bearing (which would not be silent like the mercury when it moves)
zeezee said:
Theoretically in my mind i think the term "mercury switches" makes perfect sense. This is how i see it; mercury is a liquid metal thus conductive and free to move with the pull of gravity. Imagine the mercury switch as like a 2D diamond shape - 4 corners with a drop of mercury inside. So when for example, you rotate the phone (only 4 distinct directions) upside down the mercury will close the "upside down/top corner of the diamond" circuit, thus signaling the software to change/rotate accordingly.
Otherwise maybe you could use a ball-bearing (which would not be silent like the mercury when it moves)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you've explained it, it does make more sense.
Been using my Galaxy Gear since Friday, had the weekend to play with it and in my honest opinion those bad reviewers were smoking something. =)
First off, they say there is lag and it's slow to respond. I'm VERY sensitive to lag and I have yet to find any lag on it, the UI is very smooth for me. It registers all of my swipes first try. The only real "slowdown" is S-Voice, but it's really not that bad considering it has to fetch the information and communicate with the phone.
Second they say the camera is mediocre. I disagree, I think the camera is GREAT on a tiny little device like this especially macro shots. Sample attached.
Third, some say it's uncomfortable, I found out after wearing for 10 minutes I hardly notice it on my wrist. It's just as comfortable as any other large men's watch while having a very sleek modern look to it.
Most importantly it doesn't feel like a beta product to me at all, everything works GREAT, it integrates very well with my Note 3. All the things I thought I'd have issues with turns out to be non-issues. I use the stock email client for Gmail and it works fantastic. Battery life is GREAT in day to day use, I went through a whole day of moderate use and still ended with 40 percent life left. It's the perfect companion device for me, I never miss anymore emails, phone calls or text messages. It has a very reliable bluetooth connection, only disconnecting when I'm too far out of range.
Being notified of an email or text message with a discreet little vibration on your wrist during a meeting or movie is priceless. Seeing people's face in awe when you answer a call from your watch never gets old. I'm a cyclist and this thing will be a godsend, I always would have to stop in the middle of a nice ride to check my phone when I receive a text just to see if it's important. Now I can just glance down at my wrist and keep on rolling if it's not urgent.
Lastly, this thing is a chick magnet lol. I had 3 ladies asking me about the watch while standing in line at a show, granted one was like 50+ but still. Chicks see the commercial and they get LOVE IT. I'm happy to report I love it also.
the idea behind the gear is great, but samsung did not impress me with features out of the box. admit it, smartwatch could be done 10 times better, even for 1st generation.
comparing features (except for camera/phone functionality) sony smartwatch 2 has most of them too, and it's like 2.5 times cheaper.
i'm not being cheap or greedy, but paying 300 euros for beta product is way too much in my opinion. i guess it will all change once there are custom roms and more software, but still, this thing should be a beast out of the box on the release day! why do we always have to wait for updates?
Dan37tz said:
Lastly, this thing is a chick magnet lol..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree it is smooth and fast in operation, and as for ladies.... my wife and her daughter want one! Guess I married the right young lady :highfive:
You're preaching to the choir. Great hardware... Love the phone, SVoice and notifications.
I think your just wrong i understand if €300 is a lot of money for you to pay but is it fair to criticise a product because you think it's expensive.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
thats why i never trust reviewers, remember what they said about the original note? lol
I totally agree with the OP. This device is already great and will get much better.
it's expensive for the things it does. they should include things like sms writing support, full e/gmail browser, web browser, easy way to customize 'clock screen', timer, stopwatch, compass, flashlight (white screen), maps and full notification support i could justify the 300 euros price tag. but at the moment it really lacks simple features, or they are done in an annoying way.
I agree with you
Software software software.... All I read is moans and groans about bloody software. They will come, this is new technology in terms of software.
The real problems are the hardware and that we can do zero about. WHO in their right minds makes a wrist watch that is only water resistant to IP55 ie splashes or minor-some contact with water. If this watch gets a soaking even in the rain it will become a brick.
The clasp. It has the most infamous type of clasp used in the watch trade. There are already threads on this very topic that I warned about when the Gear thread section opened. The sort of clasp is just totally unacceptable for a watch in this price range. The camera is great when there is no moisture on the lens, that hole at the back of the lens needs to be sealed with tape.
The idea, the concept and design are great the software will come BUT this watch may not last long enough to take advantage of further software development. Like it, love it or hate it we cannot blindly enjoy the James Bond feeling for a month or two only, There are several severe hardware features that truly should have been sorted before this came on the market. I hate having to remove this watch every time I go near water and need to immerse my hands. That clasp is already starting to show signs of not closing correctly and those who bend that tiny spigot will soon realise that that bending only resolves the problem for a short time as once we start bending that spigot it weakens the metal and eventually leads to complete clasp failure.
I, like the OP, like the concept and enjoy the experience of ownership but only to a point. I fear a number of those who crow loudly now will soon be writing here about these problems.
I do find it idiotic that some owners have returned their watch due to the lack of software! That is the least of my concerns. This is not a well developed watch. It is also very expensive here in Europe. I don't even want to start the comparison game BUT how does Sony manage to make their devices far more water resistant yet Samsung cannot? OH and don't forget for those of us who live in hot climates its not only rain that causes the damage its also perspiration. Some guys have actually made their own wrist bands to go under the watch strap to prevent perspiration problems! Absurd for us to need to do this.
I do suggest we have a balanced and realistic review of the Gear. It simply isn't all bad and its far from perfect. Its rather clever in so many ways yet.....mmmmmm, not yet there.
Kind regards.
I love the watch, and I too have found a way to wear it and not even notice it's on my wrist.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Ryland Johnson said:
Software software software.... All I read is moans and groans about bloody software. They will come, this is new technology in terms of software.
The real problems are the hardware and that we can do zero about. WHO in their right minds makes a wrist watch that is only water resistant to IP55 ie splashes or minor-some contact with water. If this watch gets a soaking even in the rain it will become a brick.
The clasp. It has the most infamous type of clasp used in the watch trade. There are already threads on this very topic that I warned about when the Gear thread section opened. The sort of clasp is just totally unacceptable for a watch in this price range. The camera is great when there is no moisture on the lens, that hole at the back of the lens needs to be sealed with tape.
The idea, the concept and design are great the software will come BUT this watch may not last long enough to take advantage of further software development. Like it, love it or hate it we cannot blindly enjoy the James Bond feeling for a month or two only, There are several severe hardware features that truly should have been sorted before this came on the market. I hate having to remove this watch every time I go near water and need to immerse my hands. That clasp is already starting to show signs of not closing correctly and those who bend that tiny spigot will soon realise that that bending only resolves the problem for a short time as once we start bending that spigot it weakens the metal and eventually leads to complete clasp failure.
I, like the OP, like the concept and enjoy the experience of ownership but only to a point. I fear a number of those who crow loudly now will soon be writing here about these problems.
I do find it idiotic that some owners have returned their watch due to the lack of software! That is the least of my concerns. This is not a well developed watch. It is also very expensive here in Europe. I don't even want to start the comparison game BUT how does Sony manage to make their devices far more water resistant yet Samsung cannot? OH and don't forget for those of us who live in hot climates its not only rain that causes the damage its also perspiration. Some guys have actually made their own wrist bands to go under the watch strap to prevent perspiration problems! Absurd for us to need to do this.
I do suggest we have a balanced and realistic review of the Gear. It simply isn't all bad and its far from perfect. Its rather clever in so many ways yet.....mmmmmm, not yet there.
Kind regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree with your watch clasp opinion. At first I didn't think I'd like it, but to me, they implemented it well (especially with incorporating the speaker bulge). The bulge of speaker however can get annoying when resting your arm (eg typing on keyboard), but then again I usually take any watch off as even just the standard small, pin in hole type clips annoy me
I think we all agree on the lack of waterproofing and moisture issues needing improvement though...
On a side note, also don't think it's a beta product. It's a proper full release. Just they have a couple of improvements to make like any other first gen thing. First gen does not equal beta!
love mine
galaxy note 3
Love mine, specially now that I have loaded music, videos, apps, email and text work flawlessly, added personal notifications and ringtones. Do I need to go on, this Gear is not supposed to overtake your phone but rather complement it. The apps are coming soon from the developers making this a big success for Samsung.
Ian. B
I just waterproffed my gear with this ! One year waterproofed !! Easy done!
http://www.nanostate.co/
Jeshter2000 said:
I just waterproffed my gear with this ! One year waterproofed !! Easy done!
http://www.nanostate.co/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you or anyone else done this before? I'm curious as how it works and will/does it affect the feel of the phone/watch?
I'm very paranoid about getting my Gear wet. Something like this would be great.
daddyd302 said:
Have you or anyone else done this before? I'm curious as how it works and will/does it affect the feel of the phone/watch?
I'm very paranoid about getting my Gear wet. Something like this would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope never used it before.. But you arent getting your gear wet when Applying it. You just make a paper towel wet with the stuff and start rubbing your Gear in with the solution . Then wipe it off with a dry cloth and tadaa you Gear in nano coated...
Will make a video when I find myself having the time.
The reason I bought this was i was paranoid too when I went to the toilet and needed to wash my hands. Now that is all gone...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnbU2qn0HA
I agree, I'm really happy with my device, within the first 20 minutes of pairing it to my Note 3 I received a call while I was dressing my son and what do you know my wrist starts ringing and i took a call hands free, my note was on the kitchen bench in the other room. I didnt need to hold my wrist up to my mouth and I could hear clearly and likewise to the person on my call. I look at emails/text messages while in meetings, this feature is really handy, I dont feel as rude by looking at my watch, with one tap of the screen I can read a message. Battery life is good, I can get 2-3 days with moderate usage no problems. At the end of the day $360 for a watch that pairs with my phone is a good deal, considering how much you would pay for a half decent watch. This is something I will stick to now and in the future, for my watch.
$300 for the Gear is fine..The watch design itself is worth the $300, think about a Rolex, or other expensive watches which cost $1000+. The Gear looks just as good as the expensive watches, plus you can do more with the Gear... Much Much more.
Reviews are like Arsewholes, everyone does one, and all of them stink!! Think for yourself, if you don't like it you can always return it..
GEAR UNLEASHED!!!!
I think the main reasons for the bad reviews are the price and that it only (officially) works with the Note 3, for now.
The price doesn't bother me as much since I got Best Buy to match that 30% coupon deal. But considering about a year ago, I spent $170 on a Casio G-Shock that does nothing more than tell me the date, time, and tide tables. Big deal. Decent watches cost money, even $300 is on the lower end.
What I never understood was how these reviewers gush about the Pebble, which has zero appeal to me - and I'm a gadget freak too! The reviews frequently compare the Pebble to the Gear, which is silly because the Gear is on a whole other level! They all talk about how the Pebble has so many apps and the Gear is lacking... how long has the Gear been out, 3 weeks?? Apps will come, not at all worried about that.
I also have no idea what the reviews are talking about re: camera quality. It's like they read the 1.9 MP spec and immediately dismiss it as a crap camera. Photos looks great for what it is, I was actually amazed at how well they looked. My only complaint about the camera is that there is no official way to turn off the shutter sounds, lol.
Hi,
I am looking forward to buy this sexy cellphone.
Buying this cellphone will be a huge investment for me so would like to confirm few things from existing owners.
Please help me out and reply to my questions.
1) How is the call quality ?
2) Does the cellphone heatup during normal usage ?
my usage are : streaming music over 3g, browsing net in 3g and gps map navigation sometimes.
I don't do gaming.
3) How is the screen quality ? front and back.
A case and tempered glass screen protector is recommended ?
4) Anything else I should know about this cellphone ?
Please reply.
Thank you for your time.
maheshus88 said:
Hi,
I am looking forward to buy this sexy cellphone.
Buying this cellphone will be a huge investment for me so would like to confirm few things from existing owners.
Please help me out and reply to my questions.
1) How is the call quality ?
2) Does the cellphone heatup during normal usage ?
my usage are : streaming music over 3g, browsing net in 3g and gps map navigation sometimes.
I don't do gaming.
3) How is the screen quality ? front and back.
A case and tempered glass screen protector is recommended ?
4) Anything else I should know about this cellphone ?
Please reply.
Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No remarks, it is at it should be.
2) Mine never heats up, but maybe that's because of my case?
3) Screen quality? Do you mean the actual screen or the glass plates and their durability?
Somewhat doubt able question. I'd suggest to get at least a tempered glass protector for the front and a case.
4) The camera really could have been a lot better.
maheshus88 said:
Hi,
I am looking forward to buy this sexy cellphone.
Buying this cellphone will be a huge investment for me so would like to confirm few things from existing owners.
Please help me out and reply to my questions.
1) How is the call quality ?
2) Does the cellphone heatup during normal usage ?
my usage are : streaming music over 3g, browsing net in 3g and gps map navigation sometimes.
I don't do gaming.
3) How is the screen quality ? front and back.
A case and tempered glass screen protector is recommended ?
4) Anything else I should know about this cellphone ?
Please reply.
Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinion:
1) Good call quality, nothing to complain.
2) Playing games, mine heats up a lot! And I just play simple games like Candy Crush, Pocket Mine etc. But nothing to worry about, I think.
3) The back glass is relly slippery... I've got a cheap and simple case and mine came with a cheap screen protector too. But I'm planning to get a Ringke Fusion and a tempered glass front protector.
4) And... I think the camera could be a LOT better... looking at the specs, I expected a lot better images. But, reading about it, I think I should do some more tests...
1) How is the call quality ?
Great, supports HD voice if I remember correctly.
2) Does the cellphone heatup during normal usage ?
only occasionally during gaming. No worries on your end.
3) How is the screen quality ? front and back.
A case and tempered glass screen protector is recommended ?
Screen quality is great. The red hues really burn if you choose the super vivid option. I recommend x-reality or whatever it is. Tempered glass and case are a must. I like the ringke case because it leaves the mag port open.
4) Anything else I should know about this cellphone ?
People are on both side of the camera, personally i think it's great although not 21mp great in the way you expect, still a cell phone. If you use manual and learn a bit about basic photography, you can get a lot out of this camera. Check out my vsco page to see, everything is done in my z3 compact with the oldest ones done on my Z1. Braveally.vsco.co if your interested.
I love this phone and may buy a backup in the future before they are impossible to find.
braveally said:
1) How is the call quality ?
Great, supports HD voice if I remember correctly.
I love this phone and may buy a backup in the future before they are impossible to find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you all.
This clears up most of my confusion.
One more thing I got to ask.
Right now I am using a cellphone with has 1080p display. This cellphone has 720p display, you think it is a major downgrade ?
how is the 720p display ?
a decent , sharp and crisp display is all I need.
I don't want the display to be very dull.
What do you say about the 720p display ?
maheshus88 said:
Thank you all.
This clears up most of my confusion.
One more thing I got to ask.
Right now I am using a cellphone with has 1080p display. This cellphone has 720p display, you think it is a major downgrade ?
how is the 720p display ?
a decent , sharp and crisp display is all I need.
I don't want the display to be very dull.
What do you say about the 720p display ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The display is great and you will not notice a difference I think. I had a Z1 prior with 1080p. Doesn't feel like a downgrade in the least. Its better because the screen is small, 1080p could cause a headache with apps and programs that renders at that resolution while ignoring scaling on such a small screen. I had that problem (mostly with games, but the occasional app) a lot with my Z1 and the 1080p. I actually prefer 720p and will for a while until everything is properly scaled to 1080p. You can record in 4K still as well.
I'm no genius or anything so I'm sure someone will come here and flame correct me, but this has been my experience so far.
After the Livermorium keyboard mod finally failed, I got to work to create something myself, using my trusty 3D printer.
As a basis I am using an generic mini bluetooth keyboard. This thing comes under a variety of names, one of which is Jelly Comb IBK-26IM, but there are a lot of other names for this thing. Additionally to the full six-row keyboard (including dedicated rows for numbers and F-keys and keys like alt, ctrl, esc or shift) it also offers a mediocre touchpad for mouse control.
In the current iteration I only use a 3D printed clamp that connects the keyboard to the smartphone. This is a very simplistic approach but already this is a lot better than only using a touch keyboard.
I made a version that used laptop hinges from an old laptop to fold the keyboard to the back of the phone when not used (Motorola Backflip style), but the laptop hinges were way to strong. So I am currently working on a design using 3D-printed adjustible-strength torque hinges. I am thinking of making a double-hinged design that allows the keyboard to be folded both over the front (laptop style) and the back (Motorola Backflip style), so it can protect the keys and display when stored, and still be used in landscape with the keyboard out and in portrait mode with the keyboard folded to the back of the phone.
These designs I am working on will replace the back plate of the keyboard to reduce the thickness of the whole thing. I am also thinking about adding lead weights to the bottom of the keyboard to balance the top-heavyness, which is an issue, though surprisingly not a major one.
I also made a clamp to connect the smartphone with a Playstation 3 or XBox One controller.
Is anyone interested in either 3D-print files or 3D-printed parts for this? I can adjust the clamp part to work with about every smartphone.
Instead of putting lead weights.. try design it to have a kick stand.
BTW, it awesome for your work so far. Please continue and update here the improvements.
I would love to have one if all fit - slim - easy and most of all, work out perfectly...
Thanks for the interest and the feedback!
Where would you put the kickstand?
I have been using the clamp for a while now. It works pretty nicely. I am not sure if a joint is entirely necessary, since I can just pop the phone out of the clamp if I don't need the keyboard. I will build and test it though, just to see if it is an improvement.
A nice project. :good:
Though there already exists some clamshell variants like the Gemini and the Cosmo
My interest is primarily in a slider - though of course your solution is much better than touch-only.
I have my hopes up high for the "Q-device" hinted at e.g. here and until more news on that, i'm using a Snap-On keyboard for the Samsung S8- (Unfortunately it does not work completely on S9-, see this https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/accessories/keyboard-cover-s8-modified-s9-t3841101
ADD:
Just an Idea, depending on how the 3D-print and the hinge is joined. It could be nice if the two 3D-parts meet, and had some suitable cut-ins so it 'snapped' in place at a couple of angles. e.g. closed, open 120 degrees and open 180 degrees.
And If you can get hold of hinges like the Lenovo Yoga, it would be clever if it could bend over and stay in a couple of more angles, including 360 too...
Thank you!
The hinged version isn't actually a clamshell since it does not close with the display and the keyboard on the inside, but rather on the outside. Compared to a clamshell device this does not offer any protection for the screen and the keyboard, but it allows using the display in portrait mode without having the keyboard dangle off to one side. A double-hinged design would allow for both, closing it like a clamshell and also folding the keyboard to the backside.
I would prefer a slider as well, since it is a middle ground between both designs. The keyboard is protected and the screen is not, but you can still use the device in portrait mode. I have two problems with a slider design, though. First, I haven't found any 3D-printable (or cheap and very small buyable) sliding mechanisms. Second, because the sliding mechanism needs to attach to the top of the keyboard, I cannot build it into the back of the keyboard as I am doing with the folding mechanism. The back half of the keyboard is virtually empty and also the shape is pretty simple. So for the folding mechanism I am just going to replace that back half, thus saving a lot of thickness.
I attached renders of the backflip mechanism. Two of the renders show the device in the folded state, with the keyboard being on top, keys facing up, and the phone being on the bottom, screen facing down. The third render shows the mechanism in the opened state. The smartphone is inserted into the thin hoop part and the top half of the keyboard is screwed onto the wider flat panel on the right.
I will post pictures as soon as I'm done printing it and got it to work.
And also, thanks a lot for posting the link at the Keyboard Mod indiegogo page!
Dakkaron said:
.
.
I attached renders of the backflip mechanism. Two of the renders show the device in the folded state, with the keyboard being on top, keys facing up, and the phone being on the bottom, screen facing down. The third render shows the mechanism in the opened state. The smartphone is inserted into the thin hoop part and the top half of the keyboard is screwed onto the wider flat panel on the right.
.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I see, only 'backflipping'
You might consider something like this they even mention that you can request a sample, But 500 for $100 that should be enough for your immediate needs
I think I will first try it with 3D printed joints, since there I can adjust the resistance. I already tried it with other laptop hinges, but they were extremely tough, so it was impossible to fold the device without breaking something. Maybe there is something like that with adjustable torque, that would be good.
The version I am currently working on will work like the Motorola Backflip, which is where I got the term from.
Edit: @eske.rahn: I just saw your edit to the first post. Cut-ins sound interesting. I'll have to see if I can get something like that to work.
Dakkaron said:
I think I will first try it with 3D printed joints, since there I can adjust the resistance. I already tried it with other laptop hinges, but they were extremely tough, so it was impossible to fold the device without breaking something. Maybe there is something like that with adjustable torque, that would be good.
The version I am currently working on will work like the Motorola Backflip, which is where I got the term from.
Edit: @eske.rahn: I just saw your edit to the first post. Cut-ins sound interesting. I'll have to see if I can get something like that to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what the correct technical term is, perhaps "Locking hinge", what I mean is something along these lines integrated, but with a limited number of positions
https://www.yeggi.com/goto/l52hmXJ/...03endmN/Qq7Sc29yaqOXKY5nh04POrrC04a_smZusqZ2W
---------- Post added at 10:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 PM ----------
Dakkaron said:
I think I will first try it with 3D printed joints, since there I can adjust the resistance. I already tried it with other laptop hinges, but they were extremely tough, so it was impossible to fold the device without breaking something. Maybe there is something like that with adjustable torque, that would be good.
The version I am currently working on will work like the Motorola Backflip, which is where I got the term from.
Edit: @eske.rahn: I just saw your edit to the first post. Cut-ins sound interesting. I'll have to see if I can get something like that to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might also consider a completely different approach with the two halves always parallel, and the mechanics at the ends, like this table thing.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61PZJuntwQL._SL1500_.jpg
(sort of most primtive 'slider', and if the arms got different lengths, you can get a tilt also)
This locking hinge design looks pretty simple. Should be no problem to incorporate that into my design.
A friend of mine had a smartphone a few years with this parallel-arms-design. I can't remember what it was. I think some Samsung phone. I don't think I can make this in 3D-print in the required size... I am thinking about a real slider though. Have to see if it is possible.
I tried printing the hinged design, but I don't have a good printing direction, since neither the top nor the bottom of the keyboard half are touching the floor. I need to rework this. Didn't have much time this weekend.
slider vs hinge
i get it that a hinge is easy to implement but would it not be better to try a sliding action over the hinge since it would allow for a end design
@Dakkaron If you're going for a DIY-solution, I'd suggest modding one of the many existing QWERTY-cases for the Galaxy S4, S5 and iPhone.
Several years ago I had one of those for my S4. The problem is, these are hard to come by, unless you live in the US.
I was also a backer of the keyboard mod, actually only bought the Moto Z because of that about 1,5 years go (and then had to replace it with a Z2 Play half a year ago).
As someone who was craving a keyboard smartphone for years, this is really frustrating.
In 2016 I switched to a Blackberry Priv - up until then I had an imported Droid 4 - but the lack of root and its terrible keyboard drove me away.
A few days ago I got a Gemini PDA and while it definitely has its benefits, it's not nearly as practical as a daily driver as a slider would be.
I wish I could just find one of the lucky few who got the keyboard mod and buy it from them for a hefty price.
As someone who struggles with these highly impractical touchscreen keyboards - even after 1,5 years - I'm really frustrated.
I simply don't get why many years ago smartphone producers suddenly forced keyboard-less phones on us up to the point where most people forgot about them.
It's not like people suddenly said 'we don't want a hardware keyboard anymore', they just stopped producing models with a keyboard.
But it's not like people don't want a physical keyboard!
I still know a few that just want to have a keyboard again. And everyone who's seen my keyboard phones so far immediately responded positively to them.
It's a shame that the options for people like us are so limited.
noonebikes4free said:
i get it that a hinge is easy to implement but would it not be better to try a sliding action over the hinge since it would allow for a end design
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure a slider would be better for a SPECIFIC combo, but I guess the hinge design is easier to make more general for different types of keyboards and phablets/phones.
---------- Post added at 06:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 PM ----------
I'm certainly with you @Shani Ace
Personally in the waiting for a real slider, I prefer the primitive snap-on solution for e.g. the S8 as an intermediate device over a hinge design (no matter what way it folds).
(and I must admit I'm getting impatient for more information of the elusive Q device. The teaser page offers so little that it's more annoyance than tease...)
@noonebikes4free: I too would like a slider best, but I just have no idea how to make one. I have taken apart the Motorola Droid 3 and 4, so I know how their sliders work, but there is no way I can replicate that in 3D printed plastic and my metalworking skills are non-existant. So it is not a case of me being too lazy to design one, but rather one of me not having any idea how to make one. If you find a good example I'd be happy to clone it.
@Shani Ace: I was thinking about these slider cases as well, but as you mentioned, they are very hard to find. Also, they are tiny since they were designed for much smaller phones. I wanted a keyboard that would be about the same size as my phone.
I too got the Moto Z Play for the keyboard mod. Quite a disappointment.
I have been using the keyboard with only a snap-on clip for the last few weeks and that seems quite practical. If I need the keyboard, I snap it on. If I don't need it, I snap it off. But the clamp on the keyboard makes it a very awkward shape to carry it around. But I think I figured out a solution that is almost as good as a slider, and that's a swivel hinge (I think they are called that way). So the phone would then rotate like a Nokia Twist, but with the joint in the center of the side of the phone and it would rotate 180 degrees. That would store the keyboard the same way as on a slider, but it would be way easier to make and sturdier. Combine that with a locking swivel mechanism and easy detachability for when you only need the phone.
What fo you think?
@eske.rahn I actually used those snap-on keyboards for a while on an S6 edge and later again with a S7.
But there were a few downsides which made me switch again:
* no backlight
* it limits screen size significantly (I countered that by reducing the DPI, but still...)
* the display ratio is wierd (some apps didn't scale that well, you have to scroll a lot)
* while the keys were definitely better than those of the BB Priv, they were still not nearly as good as on classic sliders like the Droid 4
@Dakkaron I had to fiddle around a lot with those keyboard cases (something would constantly fall apart, usually the springs) and their mechanism seemed quite simple. Although maybe that was the reason why they weren't stable enough for daily usage, who knows.
From what I remember, the pictures and campaign updates for the moto keyboard mod were quite similar though.
If you scroll down to the section titled "Sliding Mechanism" here, you can still see the pictures of it. Maybe that helps?
Personally, I'm not a fan of swivel mechanisms (also don't need to detach).
Then I'd rather go with a flip (like your current one) or clamshell (Gemini) design, but don't particularly like those either.
Problem is, the Gemini PDA is somewhat impractical when you're on the go. You can't really open it one-handed and the keyboard is so huge (and not backlit) that you end up having to look at it while typing and you need to be a real finger acrobat to input certain symbols.
I was just tempted to buy a Droid 4 or Photon Q off ebay again, but then I remembered they don't support LTE over here...
Guess I really have to wait a few more months. I just hope the q-device will actually make it to a full product.
@Dakkaron and @Shani Ace at least the snap on can be clicked on the back too. (and on the S8 even as a camera protector) But I tend to simply carry the keyboard in the shirt-pocket, as it is so light. And yes the lack of backlight is really bad - especially as they do not have a mode where the software keyboard layout is identical to the hardware one, and this really confuses my memory... It would cost virtually NOTHING for them to offer as an optional layout, and would make it so much simpler to switch, depending on the length of the text we need to enter.
Note that the S8 is much more suited for this than the S6, as the native display is so extremely elongated.
And sure the snap-on is not really a solution. But it is tolerable workaround for some months, until we hopefully get a Q-device. :angel:
(And it is REALLY cumbersome to use in real-life in Danish, the frequently used national letters are a little hard to get, and it does not interact well with the word-prediction/spellchecker - and unfortunately they are VERY common in Danish)
Oh, I thought the S7 was the last device to get that keyboard cover. Guess I mistook the S9 for the S8. ^^
But now I remember another downside: it didn work with custom roms. Has that situation improved with the S8?
If so, that might actually be worth a try, at least for a few months.
I was one of the keyboard mod backers and now I will get the same bluetooth keyboard as you have. So please keep us informed
I found a simple approach with an attachable cover. I'm thinking of adding a simple slide-out mechanism to the back of a cheap case.
Snoere said:
I'm thinking of adding a simple slide-out mechanism to the back of a cheap case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, if you're successful with that, would you mind posting a how-to or even do it for others (for money) as well? Btw I'm also from Germany, so shipping would not be a problem.
Snoere said:
I was one of the keyboard mod backers and now I will get the same bluetooth keyboard as you have. So please keep us informed
I found a simple approach with an attachable cover. I'm thinking of adding a simple slide-out mechanism to the back of a cheap case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you can get better solutions for the aPple Iphone6. See e.g. https://eskerahn.dk/wordpress/?p=554
But BE AWARE though standard BT keyboards works on Iphones, many Iphone keyboards does NOT work on standard phones/phablets...:silly:
I know it's a little off-topic, but @eske.rahn Mind answering my question from before (I guess it wasn't really clear, my bad)?
You said you were using the S8 with the keyboard cover. Does that still limited you to stock-based ROMs or is there a solution to use the keyboard cover with other ROMs (like RR, Lineage etc.) as well?
I just got an S7 and the keyboard cover will arrive in a few days, so I'm prepping everything right now to turn it into my daily driver until the q-device is released.
I'm taking my S10 back. I find texting difficult, my palm keeps touching the side and causes me to hit the return or a different key. I feel like I need to hold the phone with my other hand and very carefully tap each letter with a precise touch. I also find when viewing YouTube videos the camera hole is just in my view, so I can't view videos in full screen. The screen is nice though, colors are great. I don't use the fingerprint reader.
Have you tried switching accidental touch on in settings?
When watching vids I rotate the phone so the hole punch is in the bottom right corner
Yes, tried that.
Get the S10e. It'll alleviate some of your issues.
mudwhistle said:
I'm taking my S10 back. I find texting difficult, my palm keeps touching the side and causes me to hit the return or a different key. I feel like I need to hold the phone with my other hand and very carefully tap each letter with a precise touch. I also find when viewing YouTube videos the camera hole is just in my view, so I can't view videos in full screen. The screen is nice though, colors are great. I don't use the fingerprint reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install from Galaxy store, samsungs, edgeTouch.
It helps unwanted touches from the curved screen.
Helps a lot!!
Edgetouch may help accidental button push but not a 1/4" hole starring at me when watching videos. If only they center dropped the camera ilike the OnePlus 6t instead of placing it in the corner.
The main reason I have a strong dislike for the edge versions.
Thank you all for your feedbacks. I might exchange it for the 10e or swap to the OnePlus.
mudwhistle said:
Thank you all for your feedbacks. I might exchange it for the 10e or swap to the OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the 10e. It's the first phone that does pretty much what I've wanted a phone to do for a long time.
Bixby routines and bx actions make this phone amazing.
Can't wait to get a 1tb card when they release.
mudwhistle said:
Thank you all for your feedbacks. I might exchange it for the 10e or swap to the OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent back the S10 because of that miserable finger print lock and bought 10e instead. No complaints so far and I don't think that 10e compromises a lot when compared to S10/+. I have the 8/256 ver. which costs $300 less then I've had paid for the 8/512GB S10. Still, I have some concerns about Samsung abilities to maintain a steady stream of updates to make their phones a top performers(as the price tag suggests) vs the competition. I'm waiting right now for the “super night vision” as they call it, and I just compared some picks taken w/ OP6 wondering if Samsung can make it better as they should.
I know it's a new line, some bugs are to be expected, etc,etc, but the time is running, each month new phones are being fed into the busy, commercial pipeline.
I'm happy with my 10e for now and I'm hoping that Samsung won't get overwhelmed too much with spinning more and more phones out like the new A's and so on, and invest as much care to just released S10.
No, I wont be switching to OP7, maybe later in the year if the 7T gets ufs 3.0, I'll wait and see how will Samsung handle all the S10 needed improvements. The 10e is a great phone(*), I'm having a lot of fun w/ it.
(*) - conditionally or, the time will show.
These edge to edge screen is not good trend and is not practical solution..little bit bezel on sides are good to make phone easy to hold and provide strong grip and less slippery ..also it save u accidentally touching the screen..its funny how all android manufacturers blindly followed iphone x