09-03-2006, 09:46 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Scroll Wheel or One Handed Navigation?
"Over on the Windows Mobile Team Blog they have started a discussion about One Handed Navigation... It was very timely as I was about to post a similar article as now we have Push Email lots of customers have been asking me for a scroll wheel like a Blackberry.... Now when you break it down - the scroll wheel isn't the critical item - it's more that people are looking for single handed navigation and the ability to use the device without having to pull the stylus."
I had thought about posting a poll over what everyone here wants - a scroll wheel or one handed navigation, until I realized that the overwhelming answer would probably be "Both"! Seriously, I honestly can't see Windows Mobile progressing any further without one-handed nav built-in, and scroll wheels always seem to be a big hit with consumers. So One-handed is a must, but the scroll may just be a nice novelty - what do you think?
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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09-03-2006, 09:54 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 256
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I'd love to see a poll on whether people prefer one-handed navigation to using a stylus. Sadly one-handed use antagonises my RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) that I get in my hands 
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09-03-2006, 10:58 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
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Of course the answer is both. Mainly becuase we are fickle and we find that sometimes one method is best. Sometimes another is. One program suits one thing over another. Tuesday's a scrollwheel works best for me because I get moody on Tuesdays. Or whatever.
I doubt I'll buy any PDA device without a scroll wheel - it's the best (so far) method for easily flicking pages in the books I read constantly on PDA :-)
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09-03-2006, 10:58 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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Wouldn't they offer the same benefits? On my JAMin, I can navigate the Today screen 99% (the other 1% is updating Spb Weather, which requires a tap-n-hold, which it doesn't yet support through the d-pad) and launching programs and control panel apps is a breeze. OTOH, with a d-pad, you can navigate left-right or up-down, whereas with a scroll wheel, you'd only be able to navigate through items consecutively. So I don't feel that I'm at much of a loss without a scroll wheel. 
Edit: D'oh! Except for ebooks! That's where a scroll wheel would excel imo, although the d-pad works plenty fine there as well.
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09-03-2006, 11:01 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 181
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Why do people want touchscreen devices so badly if they are afraid to TOUCH THE SCREEN? It doesn't make a great deal of sense.
If you want to use a scroll wheel and completely avoid touching the screen you can buy a Blackberry. If you aren't afraid to touch your precious screen you can do things much faster and it won't even break. I know...it's amazing!
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09-03-2006, 11:02 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ctmagnus
Edit: D'oh! Except for ebooks! That's where a scroll wheel would excel imo, although the d-pad works plenty fine there as well.
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It *works* perfectly well, but it is not so comfortable to change pages with the D-pad for hours on end unless your thumb is is a weird place ;-)
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09-03-2006, 11:11 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 100
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Silver5
Why do people want touchscreen devices so badly if they are afraid to TOUCH THE SCREEN? It doesn't make a great deal of sense.
If you want to use a scroll wheel and completely avoid touching the screen you can buy a Blackberry. If you aren't afraid to touch your precious screen you can do things much faster and it won't even break. I know...it's amazing!
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The point isn't whether you use the touchscreen or not. There are plenty of situations - walking for instance - where being able to navigate using just one hand is ideal. Some of us just aren't co-ordinated enough to walk and tap on a 10 pixel x 10 pixel OK button at the same time.
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09-03-2006, 11:28 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,520
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I think I would probably vote for both. Its probably because I can't think of an option that suits one-handed navigation better.
Voice is some people's promised land, but I'm far too protective of my personal affairs to have to speak out loud everytime I want to do things. Especially when other people are around.
With my current device I find I use a combination of scroll wheel, d-pad, and touch screen. In that order. I wouldn't want to loose any of them.
Of course this all requires the software support to make it possible. And WM5 goes a long way to enable that.
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Phone: Nexus one Backup Phone: AT&T Samsung Jack; Future Phone: I'm Watching WP7; Media Player: Platinum Zune HD 32GB; Home Server: HP MediaSmart Server LX195 Console: XBox 360, PS3, Wii |
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09-03-2006, 11:30 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 175
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How about teaching people to asign funktions to their hardware buttons? It's possible 8O
If some people are to disabled to coordinate the movement of both hands simultaniusly, they should stick to their candybar cellphones :wink:
With SPB Pocket Plus, you can access all your apps, by tapping the screen with your thumb, and with NetFront 3.3 or PIE+ you can move around on webpages, by moving your thumb on the screen, and with a fullscreen keyboard you can even type with your fingers, who needs a stylus 8)
Oh! Forgot all those, who wants tiny little 2" screens, with no place for thumbs :roll: :wink:
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09-03-2006, 11:32 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 24
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Both
I have an HTC TyTN and I use both of them. It may be that since the scroll wheel is new to me (been using PocketPC for the last 7 years) that I find my self using it more and more. For example, I use the soft key to pull up contacts but then use the scroll wheel to navigate to the contact I wish to call.
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Linear Mode
