Microsoft Scientists Pushing Keyboard into the Past

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/Microsoft+scientists+pushing+keyboard+into+the+past/2100-1041_3-6067728.html?tag=sas.email' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/Microsoft+scientists+pushing+keyboard+into+the+past/2100-1041_3-6067728.html?tag=sas.email</a><br /><br /></div><i>"How can you find information about Condoleezza Rice on the Internet? Type in "2*#7423". That is if you have a copy of a prototype program from Microsoft Research currently named The Wild Thing. The application, for cell phones and handhelds, essentially lets consumers conduct queries with abbreviations and truncated spellings of words, said its developer Bo Thiesson. The query TR SF turns up Thai restaurants in San Francisco, complete with search results grouped under a header for local Thai restaurants. It also turns up Tower Records and The Stinking Rose, a local restaurant, but punching in those four letters took less time on a handheld keyboard that the full formal query on a cell phone keypad."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-May06-MSFTKeyboard.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />This idea of marrying the T9 concept with search is cool, might appeal to the teens but I feel that it might be better to improve the T9 system on the phone itself, so that you can see the words you are typing rather than a bunch of numbers. I agree that a search nowadays on the Internet requires you to be descriptive because of the information overload and reducing the number of key strokes is a good idea in general. But I like to review the text that I type into the search box and with this system it is nearly impossible to quickly review what I have typed in. Does <i>"2*#7423"</i> make any sense after you have typed it in? I think improving the T9 system is the way to go and it should be the default input mechanism for all text boxes and I wish that the Smartphones defaulted to T9 for all text boxes, but instead we are forced to manually switch to T9 every single time. :evil: The article also talks about another text entry mechanism that I was not impressed by. It annoys me when the simplest solution is overlooked in favor of the more complex ones.

[edgar]

I dunno, I love calligrapher and pen commander so the more I could use gestures the better. No reason a dpad flick etc cant be converted to a command. I have no problem with them trying new ways for input, personally I cant stand T9 and refuse to use it - just can't get used to it. So, actually that's the biggest stopper for me using my phone as a text interface device (notes/IMs). Same with numbers vs letters - as you use it you learn that abc-def-ghi pattern - Since I rarely use t9 and dont do extensive text entry on my phone the numbers work great for me - I know the pattern already.

The other half of this story is pretty neat too:

Microsoft also showed off Pinpoint, an application that lets one person track another person's geographical whereabouts with GPS or triangulation with Wi-Fi or cellular. With Pinpoint, for instance, parents can tell if their kids have made it to the movies, or gone to a part of town they aren't supposed to go to. If you are running late for a dinner party, the system sends your geographic location to the host.


The new Disney Family Phone announcement talks about using this technology with children's reduced function phones. You can set times of use, numbers to use and parents can get a geo location of the handset on a map. I know triangulation only puts you within 150-1000ft but that's better than nothing.

As this becomes more ubiquitous, I only hope that you can set a privacy switch on your phone so everyone doesn't know where I am!

[Janak Parekh]

I think improving the T9 system is the way to go and it should be the default input mechanism for all text boxes and I wish that the Smartphones defaulted to T9 for all text boxes, but instead we are forced to manually switch to T9 every single time. :evil:
I'm not sure that this is a good reason not to develop alternatives. Remember, Microsoft's a huge company -- why not have a few people develop new solutions? MSR is specifically separate from the product groups for this very reason.

That said, I do have to agree that if MS ever puts a new input mechanism into Smartphones, they must find a better method of switching input. I frequently spent more time switching input methods on my i600 than actually inputting things -- and this is one thing I really enjoy about my foray back into Pocket PC-land. I don't think just switching the default is enough; rather, I'd like to see either some key combinations to switch quickly (why not the volume keys, for instance?), an intelligent auto-switching mechanism, or something of that sort. They're close with the Today screen smart dial; seeing that mechanism implemented elsewhere would be a good first step.

--janak

[edgar]

I'd like to see either some key combinations to switch quickly (why not the volume keys, for instance?

Am I missing something? I can switch between T9 text and numeric, etc (abc, Abc, ABC, 123, abc) just by holding the * key on my cell (MPX20).

My problem is more the watch the screen, "is that the word I want, no- next" vs just hitting "5" three times for an L. Yea, slow but as I said I only use text on my phone for very short messages.

[Kris Kumar]

I have no problem with research. I usually see research work as something that will affect as a year or two (or more) down the road. And this form of text entry didn't seem revolutionary to me. Maybe its just me.

If Microsoft wants to develop an alternative. They should buy Synaptics. (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6251) Or check this Motorola phone. (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6460) ;-)

PS: T9 (or iTAP) on the MPx220 can drive anyone nuts. Why on earth did Moto give the apostrophe more weight over dot is beyond me. Press 1 and you get '. :roll:

PS2: The GPS tech also coming from the Microsoft research group didn't sound that cool. Sprint/Nextel and as Edgar mentioned the Disney phones are supposed to have it now. And Microsoft has been showing the whole GPS location tracking for employees/kids/parents/taxis/younameit for quite some time. I remember seeing MapPoint services demoes year after year, its almost three years old. Not sure if this article mentioned if Microsoft has found a new way to triangulate the position.

[Kris Kumar]

This demo (http://www.synaptics.com/flash/mobto_demo.swf) might interest someone. Check out the text entry demo.

[Jerry Raia]

All these goofy input methods! Voice recognition is the only way to put an end to this. Some day...

[Rocco Augusto]

This demo (http://www.synaptics.com/flash/mobto_demo.swf) might interest someone. Check out the text entry demo.

haha, its so much easier to just type "2255#63" then to do the finger thing from that video :)

[edgar]

This quote seems appropo to this subject so I thought I'd share it.

"I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone." -- Bjarne Stroustrup, inventor of the C++ language.


Fear the engineer that is out of touch with their customer!

-Edgar

[Janak Parekh]

Am I missing something? I can switch between T9 text and numeric, etc (abc, Abc, ABC, 123, abc) just by holding the * key on my cell (MPX20).
It's the cycling through all the methods that drives me nuts. It's slow and cumbersome. As a minimum, I have to press and hold that key for a few seconds to switch once. I'd like to quickly switch between modes; often, I'll want to T9 a few words and then put a number in an SMS, for instance.

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

often, I'll want to T9 a few words and then put a number in an SMS, for instance.

--janak

In any mode if you just hold the key down for a second you will get the number of the key.

[Janak Parekh]

In any mode if you just hold the key down for a second you will get the number of the key.
Yeah, I know that. Still:

1. If I'm entering lots of numbers that's still cumbersome;

2. I was citing numbers as one example. In general, if I want to enter a particular thing (for example, "The RAZR sucks!") it's very cumbersome: I can either multitap it all, or switch to T9 for the first word, then switch to multitap and caps lock for the RAZR, and then back to T9 for the third word. And somewhere in that process I have to cycle by the number mode, so it's lots of pressing-and-holding.

Then there's the fact that the 1 key only has very few symbols, so one ends up using the symbol menu way too often.

Mind you, I know most devices are poor about switching between modes... but there's no reason why the Smartphone should be limited in the same way.

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

I figured you probably did know that right after I posted it. I agree with everything you said above. Especially "The RAZR sucks!" :lol:

[Janak Parekh]

I agree with everything you said above. Especially "The RAZR sucks!" :lol:
How do you think I came up with the example? :lol:

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

Great minds do think alike. :lol: