Vodafone and Google are set to release the second generation Android phone, dubbed the G2. The new G2 device improves on the form factor of the original G1 device with a slimmer case, sleeker look and improved camera. The HTC code-name for the device while under development was the HTC Magic.
In addition, the G2 is the first Android device to incorporate the on-screen keyboard developed in the Cupcake branch of the Android codebase. The design keeps basic buttons and the trackball from the G1, but loses the full QWERTY keyboard.
Keyboards are hot topics among many smartphone users as they enable much faster typing than an onscreen keyboard. On-screen keyboards are more awkward and slower than their counterparts, although many phone makers are dropping them in an attempt to emulate the iPhone and create a slimmer phone.
Gizmodo took a video of the on-screen goodness at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Their verdict was generally positive, though the keyboard isn’t quite perfect. In my opinion, the lauded iPhone touch-based keyboard isn’t perfect either, so I’m not surprised to see some reservations about the approach.
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I'm Dave and I like to share news about gadgets, gear, careers and design for a mobile world.
theregoesdave
It’s awful purdy but I don’t think I’d rather have a QWERTY keyboard.
If they have a keyboard, the device will be bigger, I prefer slimmer
No keyboard, no buy.