I just dashed off this quick video for my
Twitter followers to demonstrate that the DROID doesn't have a multitouch soft keyboard, and pretty much instantly realized that I should probably share it with everyone else, since we've been getting a lot of questions about it. Long story short, while
Android 2.0 and the
DROID's hardware support multitouch, the device itself doesn't do multitouch out-of-the-box, and the soft keyboard suffers mightily for it. Why it's missing is certainly
open for debate, but for now just know that no amount of hoping, wishing, or booze is going to make the stock keyboard register more than one press at a time. Don't despair, though -- while I'm not a fan, Chris Ziegler absolutely flies on this same keyboard on his DROID. Videos after the break.
Tags: android, android 2.0, Android2.0, apple, droid, engadget video, EngadgetVideo, featured, featuredvideo, features, iphone, iphone os, iphoneos, keyboard, motorola, multitouch, multitouch keyboard, MultitouchKeyboard, soft keyboard, SoftKeyboard, video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tina @ Nov 5th 2009 9:28PM
The Droid doesn't have multi-touch, but the HTC Eris does on the Android 1.5 OS. I'm assuming we mean multi-touch as in the zooming in and zooming out with "pinch" of the fingers. Tried it today at training. To zoom in on a webpage on the Droid, you gotta double tap.
Robert @ Nov 5th 2009 10:07PM
The pinch zoom is an example of multi touch. However, in this case they're referring to the ability of the software to register simultaneous key presses on the keyboard when typing quickly, which the droid can do.
Ted @ Nov 6th 2009 2:04AM
This demo is idiotic.
What possible benefit is there to hold down one key while typing another?
Who types in such a manner?
For accurate data entry, it is advantageous to not allow successive entries while still holding down a key.
As far as multi-touch goes, it's already been shown to exist deep inside the DROID. If it's been disabled specifically for the US market, it's certain it won't be for long.
Greg @ Nov 6th 2009 3:01AM
"What possible benefit is there to hold down one key while typing another?"
Everyone uses two keys at once. Whenever you hold down the "shift" key to make a capital letter, you're using two keys at once. You can do this on the iPhone's multi-touch keyboard, but not on Droid's.
Charlie @ Nov 6th 2009 10:35AM
I think you're missing the point. The multitouch keyboard is not there so that you can hold one letter down and continue typing. You're right, no one types in such a manner. HOWEVER, when you are typing and are typing for speed on a touch screen keyboard. Sometimes your fingers will press the next letter in a sequence BEFORE your finger has been fully removed from the touchscreen on your previous keystroke. That way, it makes everything fluid. The blackberry storm (obviously days can be spent on that phone) had the problem where the surepress screen had to be fully depressed before you could type your next letter so fast typing became extremely difficult to do. There are obviously reasons why a multitouch keyboard is useful, and it has nothing to do with holding the shift key down, but I wouldn't discount this demo as offering nothing of value.
Ted @ Nov 6th 2009 12:30PM
The demo still doens't hold validity.
The offered benefit explanation doesn't offer sufficient truth.
If one claims the benefit is "speed", the claimed "speed" is then negated as you have to eventually release at some point to type another key.
The claimed "speed" advantage is lost by the user then getting "behind", by the late key release.
Accordingly, single handed typing proves the demo to be even more useless.
jacobross @ Nov 10th 2009 7:45PM
I can see how multitouch can add fluidity to the soft keyboard experience.
I wuld imgine tping tolook lie ths fr thfrst few tris.
bread0124 @ Nov 5th 2009 10:19PM
And they said BGR is biased. Later apple fan boys.
gigabit @ Nov 5th 2009 10:10PM
how is this guy fan boy? he's just proving all those who said it does have multitouch to be wrong.
theoneneo81 @ Nov 5th 2009 10:54PM
Epic Fail Droid! ill stick with my multi touch iPhone keyboard thank you very much.
Vux @ Nov 5th 2009 11:50PM
Anyone else realizing the humor in this guy's statement?
(Note: Last I heard physical keyboards had multi-touch lol ;)
imdaillest @ Nov 6th 2009 1:39AM
@vux
sorry, but that was lame. -1
NickPDX @ Nov 5th 2009 11:07PM
I don't know about anybody else but I don't see the advatage of having a multi-touch keyboard on the DROID. I have a G1 and the only time I use the on screen keyboard is if I need to type one handed in portrait mode. So if I am typing one handed in portrait mode how the heck is multi touch going to help?
Either way, I'm sure that the multi-touch keyboard will be added through software updates. Google has been good about pushing out things like this in its updates.
CapnShiner @ Nov 6th 2009 2:54AM
Exactly! Why would anyone use the software landscape keyboard on the DROID instead of the physical keypad? If you prefer a software QWERTY keyboard, you would be better off with the Eris or something else with the same form factor. I currently have an enV Touch(because I'm waiting for my New Every 2 and I can't really afford the data plan for a smartphone right now) and I never use the landscape soft keyboard. I use the portrait one with T9 all the time because I only need one hand for that, but if I'm going to use two hands I'll flip it open to use the physical keypad. I don't see that changing if/when I get a DROID.
Multitouch does make a difference on a software keyboard. I won't try to deny that. Multitouch allows for faster typing because you don't have to lift one finger before you use the other to press a key. It may not take long to lift a finger off the screen but if you multiply it by how many times you do that for a long email or a series of messages, it adds up. If the soft keyboard on the Eris didn't have multitouch it would be an important issue; but on the DROID- it's irrelevant.
Shield @ Nov 6th 2009 12:04AM
Obviously, one of the biggest features Verizon is selling this on is its physical keyboard. Obviously they wouldn't work tons on the virtual one when they knew people wouldn't use it as often.
It can be perceived as a flaw in the OS/phone, but honestly people aren't gonna care; I'd hate to sound like a fanboy right now but if they actually wanted a functional multi-touch keyboard, they would've bought the iPhone. No one's gonna choose this over an iPhone unless they realllly wanted the keyboard, or Android, or flash, etc etc.
I'm not sure of how multi-touch technology works on a phone, but maybe they'd be able to allow multi-touch through an update.
my two cents
jacobross @ Nov 10th 2009 7:50PM
If i were you i hate to even use the work fanboy.
Everytime that word is used, a geek loses his girlfriend to a jock who beat him up in school.
david @ Nov 6th 2009 12:58AM
Did anyone else notice on that on the 2nd video of the Droid, he actually makes a mistake typing
"cow". He typed "xow," and the phone auto-corrected it.
Steve @ Nov 6th 2009 1:02AM
He made about 3 more mistakes and the phone corrected that too.
Doug @ Nov 6th 2009 3:20PM
The mistake was that he typed cow in the first place. If he'd typed "dog" he'd have used every letter in the alphabet, which is the point of typing that particular phrase. Using "cow" instead of "dog" omits "g."
Christian @ Nov 6th 2009 10:00AM
Wow this was absolutely pointless. The comment made about
"Everyone uses two keys at once. Whenever you hold down the "shift" key to make a capital letter, you're using two keys at once. You can do this on the iPhone's multi-touch keyboard, but not on Droid's."
is absolutely invalid, the iPhone shift key is pressed then the letter is selected. I'm glad you love the Apple iPhone. I currently own one and use it solely because I cannot afford a new phone yet. Do not discount the Android platform or the Droid simply because you're misusing the phone functions. Multi-touch typing is absolutely pointless in my opinion and can easily be corrected with a software revision for all of you people that misuse the native phone interface.
Andy @ Nov 6th 2009 11:48AM
How can multi-touch typing be pointless? For one it makes it a lot easier to type without making as much errors, and secondly you can type a hell of a lot faster. I agree with you that it doesn't really matter that the DROID lacks this functionality as it has a physical keyboard.
Bob @ Nov 6th 2009 11:48AM
Why doesn't anyone realize that the Droid has a physical keyboard!? You're all iPhone fanboys comparing your stupid touchscreen typing to a phone with a real life keyboard. I don't care what you say I'm used all the phones and nothing beats a physical keyboard! In my state we have a no cell phone in car law, so it's impossible to use a touchscreen keyboard discretely without wrecking into the guy in front of you. If you type alot then you need a phyiscal keyboard easy as that. Don't compare shitty apples with shitty apples when you have delicious apples.
whoster69 @ Nov 8th 2009 1:55PM
The DROID has a really keyboard for fuck's sake! Why would anyone use that crappy onscreen one?
Oh. Wait a minute. These are iPhonies. They don't know what a hardware keyboard is.
mark palmos @ Nov 9th 2009 7:34AM
Hi Nilay
Interesting review on the multitouch keyboard, but for me, one of the things reviewers often miss WRT a disadvantage of the iPhone, is what for me is THE REASON I will never buy one.
MUSIC!
With the iPhone, you have to use quicktime, itunes, a proprietory cable. You cannot drag and drop folders of music to and from your phone.
I detest all of that (and I own two mac computers of my own). I like being able to plug in to a generic USB, on ANY computer anywhere, and just add or remove or copy music to and from the device as much as I want, no interference from a freak controlling Apple.
This would make iPhone (or an iPod for that matter) completely unacceptable to me.
Mark UK.
Ben @ Nov 10th 2009 4:40PM
Why would u need to hit more than one key at a time? Damn Iphoners why cant u just except that ur phone can and will get passed up! How about u make a video on how the Iphone can open multiple apps at one time? lol Oh wait it can't!
jacobross @ Nov 10th 2009 7:59PM
So what's with every phone and gadget review posted on this site gets flooded with ifone debate?
Let's take a breath and view the device on it's own merits. Every cell phone company in the world is not trying unseat your precious iPhone, rather take a bite out of the fresh touch screen market pie.
Frankly, I wouldn't a device with such expensive service, unless i own a business to pay for it. and if i owned a business i would want to travel, and I would worry more about what network the device will be supported on, rather than buying it because your anti apple or google.
Jacob Ross
http://www.justgeekstuff.com
Marisa @ Nov 16th 2009 8:27PM
The Droid is a hot phone the end.