Eclipse of the QWERTY
QWERTY, the most familiar keyboard layout in the English language. As most of us are familiar that this layout was invented just to prevent a 130 year old problem when typists were used to destroying the key-press of the nostalgic Typewriter. If I were to ask , Something like, "How many of you have typed in a DVORAK keyboard?". Well I wouldn't expect nor blame anyone for not using efficent keyboard, As most of the computer keyboard manufacturer's worldwide don't manufacture this layout. Any rerrangement of a regular qwerty to DVORAK isn't that easy ( Keys J/F don't normally like to exchange their spots with other keys. )
Well that was a small "Hi-Hello" episode to the computer keyboard. Now let's move on to the evolution of this layout. Being the most popular layout, it was obvious for it to enter new segments. Gaming Consoles, PDA's, Portable Media Players, DVD player interface, and obviously our favourite smartphones. Most of you people must have seen or owned one, BlackBerry? ( I've destroyed one, BB 9300 ). With qwerty keypad on smartphones I mean the physical keyboard. My history with qwerty phones are 4 such phones. Nokia C3-00, Samsung Ch@t 335 (It's still breathing around, in some corner), Samsung Galaxy Y Pro Duos, and lastly BlackBerry 9300. I didn't have complaints with any regarding the keyboards whatsoever. I will still not mind using any one of them as my daily-driver any day, More over after using so many qwerty phones. My current phone and tab (Lenovo A516, Google Nexus 7) have this layout primarily, but then even after using some of the best keyboards available. The tactile feedback, the comfortablity, or thumb exercise , or any of those feelings cannot be replaced by a soft on screen keyboard.
I really wish there was an Android Smartphone running on KitKat, with a snapdragon 801 chipset, a topping of Adreno 330 GPU, 2k camera, High Res (*unbreakable) Display and camera, and atleast a Slider qwerty/candybar qwerty designed phone. All the manufacturers like HTC, LG, Samsung, Google (Nexus and Play Edition Line up) are missing out a huge marketshare. Currently the only Android phone that has a qwerty is LG Optimus pro C660, other options being Nokia Asha 210,205 and other ones running on the old outdated OS. There are lot of migrators from the BB users that have been flushed to the Android/Apple/Windows market. Wish there was an easy qwerty alternative in each market such that they don't have a huge learning curve ahead to understand the OS + Get used to the not so familiar On-Screen keyboard.
Kudos to Steve Jobs who changed the way we see smartphones these days.
Do comment about what do you feel about the end of an era , end of the qwerty layout. You can contact me through Facebook , Twitter.
Sahil Satishkumar for SahRckrTech Weekly.
Personal Recommendations :
-Google Keyboard : Download (aptoide link, Writer/Blog not responsible for any harm that may be caused to your device by this download)
(Google Keyboard has DVORAK (and more) layout(s) too.
Keyboard & Input methods >Google Keyboard > Advanced Settings > Custom input styles > Add Style ,Choose language and layout)
-Hacker's Keyboard : Download
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