BlackBerry's iconic keyboard patent has expired
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There have been a bunch of other phones and devices using that style of keyboard. I used a Nokia E63 for years. Were they under license? What about the one Lilygo sells now? Maybe whoever manages RIM's portfolio just stopped caring. Anyway this is kind of interesting. I always liked that keyboard.
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It’s hard to explain. The keyboards they built just felt and worked better. They clicked just right, they had the shape right. Once they licensed out production like their Android branded phones it wasn’t as good.
There was a device called Typo that copied their keyboard exactly but attached to iPhone that was good but they must have really copied BB because they got sued into smithereens.
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I never tried swiping. Maybe i should look into that.
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Was the best method. Swype has been dead for a while. SwiftKey is an okay substitute.
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I've been swiping for years. I can't believe no one else in my tight circle does it.
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Lilygo uses old stock bb keyboards, I think. Looks exactly like the one an employer had me carry.
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The build quality and tactile feedback were much better. I never owned a BB but the keyboards were definitely something that I envied.
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I have the protoarc, and it's awesome. Got it for using with my tablet when I'm stuck in a parking lot (long story) for several hours. Only trouble with it is that the design of the case means you have to use their charger, because the insertable length of the USB c is slightly longer than normal, and the case makes it so a standard USB c won't fit.
I hate having to have multiple chargers, especially proprietary ones, so I took a knife and carved away the plastic around the charging port, and now I can use whatever USB c I want. Just thought I'd mention, because I'm sure it'll void the warranty. Lol
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Yea looking forward to this kind of keyboard XD
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I can’t get my head round it.
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The only one I ever had experience with was the Blackberry Touch that my wife had. It was a total piece of junk and I think she went through 2 or 3 during the warranty period. This was after their heyday, though, when they were trying to jump on the smartphone bandwagon.
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If you can get a copy of the apk, it still works fine. Might have to jump through some hoops on some Samsung devices though. They started bring dicks about old apps. But they work fine, it's just getting it installed.
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I hate tapping away on the glass but swiping works okay, until the phone decides a word couldn’t possibly be what you’re trying for. My most recent frustration was New Zealand, which of course worked fine this time.
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The first Android phone had the nipple, so must be the layout or something.
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To me a physical keyboard feels much better than tapping away on a glass screen. Swiping keyboards are better than tapping, but I still preferred the tactile feel of physical. I’m probably faster with a swipe keyboard, but I could go much more by feel, not having to look at a physical keyboard.
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Meshtastic phoneless devices with BB keyboards, let's goooooo!
(The T-deck is kind of this, but mooooore).
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The article is absolute trash for not mentioning this. "Their iconic keyboards..." is the closest it gets to describing them.
Thankfully, there is a link to the patent at the end.
Abstract
A keyboard comprising a plurality of transparent keys. In use, the keyboard is attached to a device such as a mobile device, to overlie a display screen of the device. One or more images displayed on the display screen are made visible to a user through the keys, which may be pressed by a user. User input is determined by identifying a pressed key, and the image or part thereof visible through the key when pressed.
Basically a detachable keyboard of transparent material as a display overlay, providing tactile feedback while the LCD allows for backlit and customizable key labels. I don't remember seeing a practical implementation of this IRL or in media but I might be too young for that.
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Was that the one where the entire screen moved when you pressed it?
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It's the tough black mineral that won't cop out when there's heat all about.
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I guess I mean the method, not the specific app. Most keyboards have implemented some form of it and they all seem to work kinda the same.
