Still not using Smart touch screen devices

[ThinkPad560X]

I still to this day don't use or want to own a smart phone/touch screen device. I still use my Most popular phone back in the day Motorola Razr V3m and does what I need it to do, Talk and sometimes text messages, also use for Time and date. I was given to smart phone to use sometimes to send a message for someone and I didn't even know how to start "Unlock the phone" Once I got to the keypad screen I would tap the wrong letter how many times and took me awhile just to type a message. I still prefer a all button phone as well for a desktop and laptop, Don't even own a tablet either. Anyone else still not into the new mostly used tech of today?

[brchan]

For phones, I don't mind using the touchscreen much, though I would love a dedicated 'trackpoint' for it. For tablets, touchscreens are OK, but I prefer trackpoint + keyboard then pen input, then touch.

[FryPpy]

+1: keys + IPS screen (but it is useless especially when sunny days) - no trackpoint + metal body and 2-3 weeks without a charger.
It can surf the web, but it is very difficult on a small screen.
The only one true touch screen device i own and use time to time is a GPS.

Yes we have ThinkPad convertibles. When i first got X61t it was the new experience for me. How everyday things can change when you touch them with fingers. I have tried playing counter strike with stylus and then with fingers. It was funny but nothing more. For most tasks i am using thinkpads touchscreen is useless. Smartphones and tablets have tradeed their keys for bigger screen. This is good tradeof for one who are using such device for web surfing or movies watching. But not for me.

[USSS]

I still use my trusty Motorola V9x flip phone. It's built like a tank. About the only smartphone I would consider purchasing today would be the Motorola Droid 4 with its QWERTY keyboard (I write for a living).

I have a ThinkPad x230 Tablet, whose keyboard is the best I've ever used, even when compared to my now-defunct T43. But I rarely, if ever, use the machine in tablet mode. At least I have that option.

[Puppy]

I bought ThinkPad 8 tablet (with 35% discount) LTE equipped. It is my first touch screen device because I don't have any phone. After three months I can say I like it for content consuming. Still I can not imagine to create anything on it. Even writing short email reply is pain.

[pianowizard]

I bought ThinkPad 8 tablet (with 35% discount) LTE equipped.

I am still kicking myself for not acting faster when Microsoft Store had the Thinkpad 8 on sale last year for only $99.99 shipped. It was sold out within 5 minutes.

BTW, is it small enough to fit in a pants side pocket?

After three months I can say I like it for content consuming. Still I can not imagine to create anything on it. Even writing short email reply is pain.

Get a Bluetooth keyboard.

I have an HP Pavilion X2 detachable. I think I have detached the keyboard only once or twice, when I was doing some reading (but zero writing) for a couple hours.

[SurrealMustard]

My "gateway drug" into smart devices was the Palm m500 I bought almost ten years ago, and I've been hopelessly dependent on like handhelds ever since.

[startac]

I'm with you, ThinkPad560X. I still use my GSM StarTACs (no surprise there) daily. My other go-to is a bright orange (sometimes Geko green) Nokia 5190. Awesome phones.

When I'm on the Maine coast, T-Mobile is too spotty so I had to get a Verizon phone as a backup...a "smart" phone. Its fine when its in my pocket but I really don't like using it. The touch screen selects things I did not ask it to and it is always dirty. Plus, cell phones today (especially Samsung) look like paperback books. These new phones look like a flattened Motorola DynaTAC. I'll take small and straight forward over enormous and distracting any day.

Same with my computers- no touchscreen, no multi-touch trackpads, no cloud, no "latest and greatest" OS. I have several Apple Extended Keyboard IIs in use with ADB -> USB boxes and I am on the hunt for an HP LaserJet 5MP to replace a "modern" HP that always seems to be throwing errors.

I lament touch screens in cars, too. I weep for the future...

[Puppy]

I am still kicking myself for not acting faster when Microsoft Store had the Thinkpad 8 on sale last year for only $99.99 shipped. It was sold out within 5 minutes.

Fair price

BTW, is it small enough to fit in a pants side pocket?

Nope. Since I always use backpack I enjoy it is ligther than X31. There is also a lot of fun with Sierra Wireless EM7345 LTE module

[pianowizard]

Nope. Since I always use backpack I enjoy it is ligther than X31.

If I need a backpack anyway, my preference would be a bigger "detachable" laptop. My HP Pavilion X2 is meeting my needs for now, but someday I would like to upgrade to the Microsoft Surface 3, with the type cover. The 3:2 aspect ratio (1920x1280) alone makes it super interesting. Not sure I would like its 213 DPI pixel density though.

[ThinkPad560X]

I just watched a video of VR headsets that you use your smartphone as the screen, I remember when they first tried VR back in the 90s and didn't last long, I think only a year it was talked about. For me, I wouldn't mind trying a VR headset, but I wouldn't be able to wear one for a long time, maybe a hour at max before I get a headache. As for other smartphone videos I watched. It is now you wallet, passport and keys to your house and car "New car by the way". It seems that smartphones are taking over everywhere and might be a requirement in future. At my work every single person has one and always on it and im the only one that don't have one. Its hard to talk to anyone in person since they are on it and looking at it while sort of listening to what your talking about. I even had some of them tell me "I don't know how you do it, I wouldn't be able to handle not having my phone" Most of them were born in the late 90s so they are around 21-24 and always had the internet, I was born in the 80s so I remember their being no internet. Anyone else feel the same, I remember this kinda tech being only in si-fi movies only back in the day and now is slowly coming out today. I'll come back online tonight to check the forums.

[ThinkPad560X]

I haven't been on this thread for a while and yes I am stilling using the still new looking Razr V3m of mine. Starting around last year or year before that even. I couldn't receive images or send them but can get text. It would try to connect and then get NATIONAL COVERAGE NOT AVAILBLE. So I don't know if this is Verizon shutting down slowly for older phones. I did check my phone and it is the 2007 3G network as I seen a few years ago Verizon was shutting down 2G. I did get some people that had same problem with there flip phone and some unsure. I did pick up a cheap brand new SmartPhone to try one out again. It is a Motorola moto e. I only got it because it has the ThinkPad rubberized feel on it and feels solid. It does not lay down flat and has a good feel in the hand. And also Lenovo owns Motorola too, so another brand I liked owned by Lenovo.

The phone has a Android OS, don't know what version as I don't know how to even check. I powered up the phone and linked it to my WiFi and got updates for the phone and let it sit. Soon after that it restarted just like any other OS after installing updates.

My dislikes: So far I still don't like the OS setup, I always been a Windows 3X to 7 user. I still manage to press wrong numbers/letters when typing on it. And for some reason it will keep auto calling random numbers that I just shut the phone off and let it sit on the desk and haven't touched it for a few days now.

[RealBlackStuff]

I think I've mentioned it before, but you should seriously look into moving elsewhere, if you can't even get a cellphone to work in your neck of the woods.

[pianowizard]

I still manage to press wrong numbers/letters when typing on it.

Get a much bigger smartphone. If you like Lenovo, look into the Phab 2, Phab 2 Plus, and Phab 2 Pro, which are all 6.44" with 16:9 aspect ratio though they have different resolutions. I recently bought the Phab 2 Pro and find it decent; too bad Lenovo has chosen not to upgrade its Android 6.0 OS to something newer. The 1st gen Lenovo Phab series were even larger, with 6.8" and 7.0" screens, though they may be less compatible with US networks. My primary phone is the international version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet (8.0" with 4:3 aspect ratio), which has phone functionality unlike the tablet-only North American version.

I think I've mentioned it before, but you should seriously look into moving elsewhere, if you can't even get a cellphone to work in your neck of the woods.

WiFi calling might help a bit. T-Mobile phones definitely support WiFi calling. Not sure about the other carriers' phones.

ThinkPad560X, once you have a smartphone that works reliably, and get a Bluetooth keyboard for it so you can enter info faster and more easily, you will never be able to live without a smartphone. It enables you to gain access to all information and files wherever and whenever, in addition to doubling as a GPS, flashlight, clock, alarm, notepad, camera, camcorder, calendar, wallet, QR code scanner, USB flash drive, activity tracker, etc. etc.

[ajkula66]

Get a much bigger smartphone.

I must be a dinosaur, but I always wanted my phones smaller, not larger. One of the main reasons that I'll be fixing my BB9900 and moving the Classic into a backup status.

ThinkPad560X, once you have a smartphone that works reliably, and get a Bluetooth keyboard for it so you can enter info faster and more easily, you will never be able to live without a smartphone. It enables you to gain access to all information and files wherever and whenever, in addition to doubling as a GPS, flashlight, clock, alarm, notepad, camera, camcorder, calendar, wallet, QR code scanner, USB flash drive, etc. etc.

Smartphone/tablet etc. is only as good as one's connection. If you're in a middle of nowhere - which I would venture describes ThinkPad560X's location fairly accurately - no device will be able to help you. OK, the flashlight will definitely work so I partially retract my statement, but other than that...

[pianowizard]

OK, the flashlight will definitely work so I partially retract my statement, but other than that...

Most of the other functions I listed would still work, even GPS because the "Here WeGo" app allows you to download maps (via WiFi) and use the GPS offline. With powerful, large smartphones getting so cheap (we are talking <$100, e.g. a used ZTE Blade Z Max), even if you use it only as a GPS, flashlight, clock, alarm, notepad, camera, camcorder, calendar, QR code scanner, USB flash drive, and activity tracker, it's still worthwhile IMO.

[Puppy]

Most of the other functions I listed would still work, even GPS because the "Here WeGo" app allows you to download maps (via WiFi) and use the GPS offline.

That's how I use my old Microsoft Lumia 435 phone. It is cheap small 4" device with terrible low-res TN display but the GPS is suprisingly very accurate. It has no 4G/LTE support so it is uselles over here (2G and 4G coverage only, 3G almost doesn't exist and will be shutdown soon anyway). Thanks to Microsoft support it still receives regular monthly security updates of Windows 10 Mobile and offline maps updates as well. It is very handy for hiking due to small size, good battery life and almost no value when you accidently break it

[ajkula66]

Most of the other functions I listed would still work, even GPS because the "Here WeGo" app allows you to download maps (via WiFi) and use the GPS offline.

You must have not read - or forgot about - the OP's other posts complaining about his Internet connection which was a 1 Meg ADSL - above and beyond spotty - with *no* other options available. I'd rather be pulling hen's teeth than a wi-fi connection from such a circuit nowadays.

[pianowizard]

That's how I use my old Microsoft Lumia 435 phone. It is cheap small 4" device

I've owned many smartphones for which I never had cellular data, just WiFi and offline. These included a Nokia Lumia 521 (4" 480x800, new for $19) and a Microsoft Lumia 640 (5" 720x1280, new for $30). Both ran the Here WeGo app well.

You must have not read - or forgot about - the OP's other posts complaining about his Internet connection which was a 1 Meg ADSL

The maps need to be downloaded just once, after which the phone can remain offline for the rest of its life and the GPS app would still continue to work. If the OP's Internet is so awful, he could download just the maps for Pennsylvania, totaling only 414.6 MB. Actually, even the maps for the entire USA (5660.5 MB) can probably be downloaded overnight. Another possibility is spending an hour or two at a restaurant/mall/library/supermarket/etc that provides free WiFi.

[Saucey]

The good thing about being able to rely on an old cell phone is not having to worry about data plan costs. Internet is usually a $30 to $60 extra cost to a cell phone bill.
I didn't get a smartphone until the Samsung S4, so that was in July 2013 for my Verizon plan.
Although I liked the screen of the phone, I did miss the slide out keyboard of the LG Envy I had.
I feel that a significant number of car accidents from distracted driving are due to people needing to look at the keyboard when they type. There isn't touch type like on a phone dialpad or physical keyboard.


I am tethered to the internet, so much so, that i used my Pixel 2 twice while typing this post.

[axur-delmeria]

My current phone for calls and SMS is a Nokia 105 (2013).

I do use Android devices: a hand-me-down Asus ME173X tablet for a few games, and an LG Spectrum VS920 (which a friend gave to me) for Whatsapp on wifi -- no calls/SMS/data on this one as it's SIM-locked to Verizon and it's CDMA (my country networks are all GSM).

Even now I feel a bit frustrated when I mistype on the on-screen keyboard. I typed faster and better on my Qwerty phone (Nokia C3-00).

[pianowizard]

The good thing about being able to rely on an old cell phone is not having to worry about data plan costs.

It's still possible to get a phone-and-SMS-only plan for a smartphone, and use WiFi for apps that require data (e.g. browsing the internet).

I feel that a significant number of car accidents from distracted driving are due to people needing to look at the keyboard when they type.

Not just typing on smartphones, but also GPS devices.

I typed faster and better on my Qwerty phone (Nokia C3-00).

Have you actually timed yourself? Like most people, I started out using smartphones with mechanical keyboards (Palm Centro from 2007 to 2010, and HTC Touch Pro2 from 2010 to 2014). I thought I could type faster on those keyboards than virtual keyboards, and hesitated to migrate to smartphones lacking mechanical keyboards. So in 2014, when I had to retire my Touch Pro2, I timed how much faster I could type a certain paragraph on that phone versus a tablet I had (a Barnes & Noble 7" e-reader). I did the task three times on each device and averaged the timings. To my surprise, the timings were more or less identical. That convinced me to go ahead and upgrade to a Samsung Note 1, and I have been happily using keyboardless smartphones since.

[QWERTY Andreas]

This post is typer on a BB keyone.

I currently have touchscreen on most of My devices;

Phone; BB keyone
Laptop; thinkpad helix 2
Tablet; thinkpad 8 (not used much these days)
UMPC; GPD win

However My desktop doesnt have a touchscreen - yet. The next screen Will be touch (probably a thinkvision t2364t) because i got used to it. I dont want to miss out on that.
But im All for options. Sometimes i use the touchscreen, Sometimes the trackpoint, Sometimes the trackpad, Sometimes the pen.. Its All about what is most convenient, for what i AM doing.

But i prefer physical keyboard on All My devices.

[Thinkpad4by3]

Get a much bigger smartphone.

I must be a dinosaur, but I always wanted my phones smaller, not larger. One of the main reasons that I'll be fixing my BB9900 and moving the Classic into a backup status.

I totally agree here. I have never used a phone longterm that has had a screen larger than 5" and a body larger than 5.5". I like to be able to touch the other side of the screen without being 6'8".

[pianowizard]

I have never used a phone longterm that has had a screen larger than 5" and a body larger than 5.5". I like to be able to touch the other side of the screen without being 6'8".

You got me curious about how big the screen could be when the phone measures no more than 5.5" diagonally. So I did a Pythagorean calculation and then looked up PhoneArena.com's comprehensive database, and found that the largest screen that such a phone could have is only 4.3", with a 480x800 resolution. Perhaps you meant 5.5" in body length? In this case, three phones under 5.5" in length have 5.2" screens, all of them 1080x1920: LG G2, Motorola Moto X (2014), and Gionee Elife S7.

Anyway, when we operate a touch-only smartphone using just one hand, we always use the thumb to type on the onscreen keyboard. When the phone is so small, the onscreen keyboard has tiny keys, and typing them using the largest finger is slow and has a high error rate. Thus, even for such a tiny phone, I prefer holding it using my left hand, and typing with my right hand's index finger. But if I am already using both hands, why not get a much larger phone with a much larger onscreen keyboard so I can type faster and more accurately? That's one reason why I like supersized phones. (The other reason is that viewing a huge screen is so much more enjoyable, especially for web sites and reading PDF files.)

If I insist on using just my left hand to operate a phone, I would want it to have a mechanical keyboard. In this case I would agree with ajkula66 that a BlackBerry is the best choice. I can visualize myself liking the BlackBerry Priv, which has a 5.4" QHD touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard.

[Thinkpad4by3]

I have never used a phone longterm that has had a screen larger than 5" and a body larger than 5.5". I like to be able to touch the other side of the screen without being 6'8".

You got me curious about how big the screen could be when the phone measures no more than 5.5" diagonally. So I did a Pythagorean calculation and then looked up PhoneArena.com's comprehensive database, and found that the largest screen that such a phone could have is only 4.3", with a 480x800 resolution. Perhaps you meant 5.5" in body length? In this case, three phones under 5.5" in length have 5.2" screens, all of them 1080x1920: LG G2, Motorola Moto X (2014), and Gionee Elife S7.

Anyway, when we operate a touch-only smartphone using just one hand, we always use the thumb to type on the onscreen keyboard. When the phone is so small, the onscreen keyboard has tiny keys, and typing them using the largest finger is slow and has a high error rate. Thus, even for such a tiny phone, I prefer holding it using my left hand, and typing with my right hand's index finger. But if I am already using both hands, why not get a much larger phone with a much larger onscreen keyboard so I can type faster and more accurately? That's one reason why I like supersized phones. (The other reason is that viewing a huge screen is so much more enjoyable, especially for web sites and reading PDF files.)

If I insist on using just my left hand to operate a phone, I would want it to have a mechanical keyboard. In this case I would agree with ajkula66 that a BlackBerry is the best choice. I can visualize myself liking the BlackBerry Priv, which has a 5.4" QHD touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard.

I really liked my Xperia Z3 which was 4.6" but a body of 5". I ended up destroying it when I dropped my A31 on the screen. The scree was fine but touchscreen was dead. Ended uo getting my files off by using an OTG to USB adapter and a USB MS Intellimouse.

[pianowizard]

I really liked my Xperia Z3 which was 4.6" but a body of 5".

Yep I was right, you were indeed referring to screen and phone heights (lengths), not diagonal sizes. The Xperia Z3's screen is 5.2"diagonally, but you would rather take out a ruler to measure its screen height. This means that when you said 5" screens in your last post, you were referring to screens that are 5" tall, corresponding to 5.7" diagonal size assuming a 9:16 aspect ratio. Samsung's Note 3 through 7 were 5.7" and most users would consider them fairly large phones, or "phablets". When ajkula66 said he likes small phones, he didn't mean 5.7" phones, but phones whose screens are 3 to 4 times smaller in area.

[Thinkpad4by3]

Sorry if I wasnt clear enough. 4.6" Diagonal. 5" top to bottom. I used a Z3 full size as a temporary phone for 3 weeks. Too big(also hated that phone for other reasons too)

Also, I typoed. its a Z3 compact.

[ThinkPad560X]

I'm still using my Motorola Razr V3m and was watching a review video of Nokia bringing back another classic phone 8110. I don't like touch screens so why don't they make dumb phone that is a smartphone? Then I could do email/internet searching on my Razr, well upgraded one. I always wanted this phone to be real, a ThinkPad phone with a trackpoint. IBM T600 https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/25/kee ... d-totally/

[Thinkpad4by3]

I'm still using my Motorola Razr V3m and was watching a review video of Nokia bringing back another classic phone 8110. I don't like touch screens so why don't they make dumb phone that is a smartphone? Then I could do email/internet searching on my Razr, well upgraded one. I always wanted this phone to be real, a ThinkPad phone with a trackpoint. IBM T600 https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/25/kee ... d-totally/

Check out the TracFone ZTE. I think this is what you are looking for: https://www.amazon.com/TracFone-Android ... B01MZ95P7S