iPhone keyboard options?

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 00:10:06

Well, I'm still thinking, and still looking, but I have a quick question. Does the iPhone have a 'compact' qwerty keyboard option, something like the one below? This is from the HTC, and there's a similar one on the BlackBerry.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Lance · Jun 14, 2010, 07:45:14

Simon,

The iPhone, as far as I know, only has the full querty keyboard, as per the attached. However, even with my fat fingers I find it easy to use and when you make a typo, it will attempt to correct it for you.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 08:18:52

I turn mine to landscape mostly and that gives me extra room which is great.

Lance · Jun 14, 2010, 08:26:31

Its odd, but I've very rarely done it. I'm used to turning the phone on the side to use the keyboard as well as my work phone has a slide out keyboard.

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 09:22:22

Well, I've just bought a 3GS off eBay, so I'll give it a try out, before selling it again! The main issue is coming off my current BlackBerry tariff, which I am reluctant to do, so I'll probably just use the iPhone indoors on WiFi at first, until I decide whether to keep it.

Rik · Jun 14, 2010, 09:42:03

What's special about the Blackberry tariff, Simon?

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 09:46:02

Quote from: Rik on Jun 14, 2010, 09:42:03
What's special about the Blackberry tariff, Simon?

O2 are changing the unlimited boltons Rik, so if Simon changes he will loose out on that. tbh I mostly use wifi on mine and dont use it that much when out, if I do I find a wifi hotspot that unlimited that O2 offer.

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 09:50:21

Quote from: Simon on Jun 14, 2010, 09:22:22
Well, I've just bought a 3GS off eBay, so I'll give it a try out, before selling it again! The main issue is coming off my current BlackBerry tariff, which I am reluctant to do, so I'll probably just use the iPhone indoors on WiFi at first, until I decide whether to keep it.

Simon, if you want the settings for the iPhone in case the one you got was pay and go give me a shout.

Rik · Jun 14, 2010, 09:56:37

Quote from: Gary on Jun 14, 2010, 09:46:02
O2 are changing the unlimited boltons Rik, so if Simon changes he will loose out on that. tbh I mostly use wifi on mine and dont use it that much when out, if I do I find a wifi hotspot that unlimited that O2 offer.

Thanks, Gary. The old 'no longer available' technique.

Steve · Jun 14, 2010, 10:59:56

Finally succumbed but I see plenty of get out options

Rik · Jun 14, 2010, 11:29:23

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 11:46:07

Thanks Gary. It's supposed to be unlocked (not jailbroken), so would I still need activation codes?

Steve · Jun 14, 2010, 12:15:49

He may mean the server settings for data etc

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 12:30:54

Whenever I have switched phones before, I've just inserted my sim card and it loads the settings automatically. Don't tell me, iPhones are different.

Rik · Jun 14, 2010, 12:36:58

Of course they are.

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 13:04:42

Quote from: Steve on Jun 14, 2010, 12:15:49
He may mean the server settings for data etc

Yep I meant server settings etc Simon, it will work but changing stuff for data etc will need doing if its unlocked payandgo if its pay monthly its ok. Also make sure it has the latest firmware. 3.1.3

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 13:14:43

Apparently it's got the new software (4) on it, albeit, a pre-release version, Gary.
Also, good news! I've just spoken to O2, and I can keep my current Simplicity contract, but just change the BlackBerry bolt on to the normal web bolt on. If I want to use O2 WiFi hotspots for an extra fiver a month, but I'm not sure I'll need that.

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 13:19:28

Quote from: Simon on Jun 14, 2010, 13:14:43
Apparently it's got the new software (4) on it, albeit, a pre-release version, Gary.
Also, good news! I've just spoken to O2, and I can keep my current Simplicity contract, but just change the BlackBerry bolt on to the normal web bolt on. If I want to use O2 WiFi hotspots for an extra fiver a month, but I'm not sure I'll need that.

I would be erm wary of a pre-release version of 4 on it, as Apple do not release such things, except to in house testers, that could also make it a bit hard to update if its not recognised as a release version iPhone by iTunes if it were a beta testing handset

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 13:31:58

The seller has 100% positive feedback, and over 200 transactions, and says it's fully upgradeable. Would I be able to tell if it's dodgy immediately, by connecting to iTunes?

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 13:36:34

Quote from: Simon on Jun 14, 2010, 13:31:58
The seller has 100% positive feedback, and over 200 transactions, and says it's fully upgradeable. Would I be able to tell if it's dodgy immediately, by connecting to iTunes?

Basically the 4 OS has not been released to download Simon, so it has to be a hack, only testers would have it and Apple have tight control over it, if someone did somehow and I have no idea how get the installer and put it on it would be most odd, tbh I would not touch it myself. I cant see a Apple beta tester selling a pre-release phone OS 3GS, so its a hack or a lie or a miracle. If you connect it to iTunes it should download the latest release firmware, I just can't see this being true tbh. If its not recognised you are in trouble. There are versions of the supposed 4 out on torrent sites so its a dodgy one, no other way you can do it, also that would mean its probably jailbroken Simon. There are links on Google but I wont post here. Search for 4ios downloads, hopefully it will just re-install the latest when you connect it.

Steve · Jun 14, 2010, 13:45:20

Apple developers i.e Iphone App writers of which there are many get a copy of the iPhone firmware in the Iphone SDK so its not that uncommon or in house only. As long as it updates on the 21st June should be fine.

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 13:48:04

Quote from: Steve on Jun 14, 2010, 13:45:20
Apple developers i.e Iphone App writers of which there are many get a copy of the iPhone firmware in the Iphone SDK so its not that uncommon or in house only. As long as it updates on the 21st June should be fine.

Thats true Steve, but with all the torrent downloads I would be careful that's all. Restoring it may be a safer option.

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 13:54:56

Trouble is, the 21st June will be too late to return it to the seller. I will, however, hold off from leaving his feedback till then. I was obviously a bit silly to have bought it. I'm not sure where I stand legally on this either, but if it won't upgrade, presumably the seller would be liable?

Gary · Jun 14, 2010, 13:58:12

Quote from: Simon on Jun 14, 2010, 13:54:56
Trouble is, the 21st June will be too late to return it to the seller. I will, however, hold off from leaving his feedback till then. I was obviously a bit silly to have bought it. I'm not sure where I stand legally on this either, but if it won't upgrade, presumably the seller would be liable?

Restore it to the latest version Simon, if that works all is well and it will update next week fine. You will know straight away if it works with iTunes as the phone communicates to apple when its plugged in.

Simon · Jun 14, 2010, 14:01:22

OK, thanks guys. I knew I should have stuck with the BB.