Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
On Feb 23, 2009, at 10:45 AM, Michael Micheletti wrote: My friends with iPhones all want to compare. They are dumbstruck by browser and network speed. They are underwhelmed (to say the least) by applications. They are jealous for bluetooth headsets. They are (often) a bit wistful for a carrier, any carrier, other than ATT. Dumbstruck by the browser and network speeds in what way? That the browser is better or worse than Mobile Safari? That Verizon's network is faster or slower than ATT? ATT is suppose to have the fastest 3G network, but I don't put much faith in any carrier's claims. I've found it to be pretty fast, but haven't done comparative tasks myself. And jealous of bluetooth headsets? I've used my iPhone w/half a dozen bluetooth headsets and am not aware of it's inability to work with any bluetooth headset. You can buy anyone you want and it works. Now as to ATT as a carrier, well, most of the time, it's perfectly fine. However, I do have occasional issues where I randomly cannot connect on the first call, but then hitting redial it's fine. Not a show stopper, but definitely annoying. I do wish that would go away— it's not a typical Apple experience. One thing the iPhone does exceptionally well is GPS. That's the killer app for me and I've used it hundreds of times. It seems to work regardless of where I'm at from big cities to remote locations. Cheers! Todd Zaki Warfel President, Design Researcher Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. -- Contact Info Voice: (215) 825-7423 Email: t...@messagefirst.com AIM:twar...@mac.com Blog: http://toddwarfel.com Twitter:zakiwarfel -- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not. Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
This may be a little off the original starting point, but I expect these keyboarding problems to begin to subside soon, at least for newer designs, as the primary problems with haptic feedback seem to be getting solved. Here is a demo of a fingertip feedback layer added to the Iphone from the last CES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7xkiy0K2BE The company developing this product is Artificial Muscle but several engineers I know doing more basic development elsewhere have been promising the ability to get further than this, and fairly soon. (Of course, you know engineers, so take that with a grain of salt.) Personally I cannot use touchscreens at all without out feeling a sense of unreality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
Hi Michael, I also tried it in a shop and had the same experience you had... After a few mins of frustration, I discovered the double touch screen function and the rest came natural to me. I do think you should give it a second chance!! Cheers... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
Had a storm for over month now, my colleagues, on the other had have Iphones The screen on the storm does not, as previously stated *require* you to push but registers touch also, however there is no feedback, yes the button lights up but its under your thumb, so you can't see it unlike the Iphone where is 'pops out' to give a response. The screen attempts to orientate itself to how you use the phone, (landscape or portait) but is very poor at responding to changes, and can take several seconds to re-orientate, Web browsing is fine though the built in browser is v poor, I downloaded opera mini and its better but not great As for configurability, frankly it sucks, I've tried several times to change the settings so it doesn't lock after 5 seconds (seemingly) of inactivity, the touch screen software is poor and counterintuitive with too few opportunities to configure to the users personal needs. Email is ok, it's a blackberry and I expect that, though the desktop software IMO rivals Itunes in its stupidity and intrusiveness. The build is very good and the actually hardware is nicely put together but let down by really poor software, which feels like RIM have failed to consider the simple human factors needed when using a touch sensitive application. In short, great phone, terrible software means I'm considering ditching it for an Iphone in the very near future, and I HATE apple with a passion, but they do have it right when it comes to the touch phone experience. John Morse Information Architect Professional Services Group UPA,Prince 2, ISEB IT Architect, AIIM, MBCS Eduserv innovative technology services john.mo...@eduserv.org.uk tel: +44 (0)1225 474395 mob: +44 (0)7500 069524 fax: +44 (0)1225 474374 http://www.eduserv.org.uk -Original Message- From: discuss-boun...@lists.interactiondesigners.com [mailto:discuss-boun...@lists.interactiondesigners.com] On Behalf Of Maria Sent: 19 February 2009 04:14 To: disc...@ixda.org Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm Hi Michael, I also tried it in a shop and had the same experience you had... After a few mins of frustration, I discovered the double touch screen function and the rest came natural to me. I do think you should give it a second chance!! Cheers... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
A co-worker of mine had the same experience that you described... though it looks sleek, and has a nice screen the touch features can be very frustrating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
A usability testing firm, User Centeric, did report the issues surrounding touch screen keyboards, specifically regarding the iPhone. Their empirical study results were reported at a New Jersey Usabilty Professional Association presentation last year. Here's a link to their website discussing their results comparing hardkey vs. iPhone's softkey error rates. http://www.usercentric.com/about/news_item.php?m_id=4s_id=4q_id=4id=15year=2007 I have been using a Blackberry Storm for a few weeks now. I would agree with previous remarks about the touch screen keyboard performance as well as the errors. Some delays in response time from the touch screen keys and buttons can be annoying. There is a learning curve and you are forced to type slower (when doing a speed/accuracy tradeoff). I had a hard time figuring out how to hide the keyboard because there was no explicit button that I could easily locate using the touch screen until I discovered by accident a gesture that would hide the keyboard. It may be documented somewhere but I'll have to admit that I tend not to read the documentation unless it is absolutely necessary. I did find out about another touch screen smart phone by Samsung Omnia that improved upon the other designs by having an explicit hide button for the keyboard was well. The keyboard buzzes after each key press as a feedback mechanism. I have no association with sales, servicing, development or evaluation of these products. Yours, John On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 7:46 PM, Tami tami...@gmail.com wrote: I have the Storm and to be honest, I had buyer's remorse for the first week or two. I've had it for a little over a month now and love it. There is a definite learning curve to using the keyboard and touchscreen. I like the feel of pushing the screen like a button however, I've found that I cannot type with one hand. I need to turn it sideways to get the full keyboard and use two thumbs to hit the keys just right. The keys, by the way, light up before you push on them so that helps with the visual feedback so I catch myself starting to hit the wrong key before I push down. I design phone web apps from time to time and had the chance to work with the iPhone and the new Google phone. All three touchscreens are great phones, but Google has some kinks to work out (although I love the fact the keyboard slides out). Blackberry just needs to start enabling JavaScript as a standard and that would make my life so much easier. I hope that helps! Tami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help -- John Chin User Experience Professional jc...@acm.org http://www.johnpchin.com Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
Thanks all for the feedback!, overall its sounds like a neutral feedback on usability vs look 'n feel. I also recently read about HTC Touch HD, which is supposed to be a killer phone!in all sense... size, price included. Cheers, Rony On 2/6/09, John Chin jc...@acm.org wrote: A usability testing firm, User Centeric, did report the issues surrounding touch screen keyboards, specifically regarding the iPhone. Their empirical study results were reported at a New Jersey Usabilty Professional Association presentation last year. Here's a link to their website discussing their results comparing hardkey vs. iPhone's softkey error rates. http://www.usercentric.com/about/news_item.php?m_id=4s_id=4q_id=4id=15year=2007 I have been using a Blackberry Storm for a few weeks now. I would agree with previous remarks about the touch screen keyboard performance as well as the errors. Some delays in response time from the touch screen keys and buttons can be annoying. There is a learning curve and you are forced to type slower (when doing a speed/accuracy tradeoff). I had a hard time figuring out how to hide the keyboard because there was no explicit button that I could easily locate using the touch screen until I discovered by accident a gesture that would hide the keyboard. It may be documented somewhere but I'll have to admit that I tend not to read the documentation unless it is absolutely necessary. I did find out about another touch screen smart phone by Samsung Omnia that improved upon the other designs by having an explicit hide button for the keyboard was well. The keyboard buzzes after each key press as a feedback mechanism. I have no association with sales, servicing, development or evaluation of these products. Yours, John On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 7:46 PM, Tami tami...@gmail.com wrote: I have the Storm and to be honest, I had buyer's remorse for the first week or two. I've had it for a little over a month now and love it. There is a definite learning curve to using the keyboard and touchscreen. I like the feel of pushing the screen like a button however, I've found that I cannot type with one hand. I need to turn it sideways to get the full keyboard and use two thumbs to hit the keys just right. The keys, by the way, light up before you push on them so that helps with the visual feedback so I catch myself starting to hit the wrong key before I push down. I design phone web apps from time to time and had the chance to work with the iPhone and the new Google phone. All three touchscreens are great phones, but Google has some kinks to work out (although I love the fact the keyboard slides out). Blackberry just needs to start enabling JavaScript as a standard and that would make my life so much easier. I hope that helps! Tami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help -- John Chin User Experience Professional jc...@acm.org http://www.johnpchin.com Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
Thank you all for the thoughtful comments. They make me want to go back and give the thing another chance. Tami your comments reminded me of when my wife converted from PC to Mac laptops. For some weeks there it was tough sledding and then suddenly she was a fan. Much appreciated, Michael Micheletti Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
try out Nokia e71. I have it and I am quite pleased with it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
I think either keyboard (iPhone or Storm) would take some getting used to. I've had an iPhone since last august and I'm just starting to feel comfortable typing on it. But I could still type faster and more accurately on my old blackberry:) 2009/2/5 Ali Naqvi a...@amroha.dk try out Nokia e71. I have it and I am quite pleased with it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=38144 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help -- André Charland President and Co-Founder, Nitobi e. andre.charl...@gmail.com skype. ebadre b. http://blogs.nitobi.com/andre w. http://www.nitobi.com Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
I don't have personal experience with the Storm, but David Pogue of the New York Times pretty much slammed the Storm when he reviewed it back in November: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html Maria On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 10:46 AM, Michael Micheletti michael.michele...@gmail.com wrote: I stopped by the Verizon booth in the mall the other day to try out a Blackberry Storm, the new one with the touchscreen. I'm a current Verizon customer, and my antique Moto Razor is about to do the El Croako. I'd heard the Storm had a good browser and a great screen for viewing media. Since Verizon has treated me pretty well and I've no complaints about their service, I was curious about their new phone. The guy at the booth let me play with theirs. I tried typing on it, and was not very successful. The Storm's touch screen acts like a button, so you have to press it down to enter a character. But it also acts like a touchscreen, so there's obviously no indent for your finger to know when you're over a button. I mistyped many characters, sometimes more than once, and got frustrated after a few minutes of fiddling with it. Perhaps this is just me. I'm curious to know if others on this list have successfully adapted to the Storm's unique touchscreen/button controls. Or if anyone here helped test or develop it and would like to share something of their experiences. Some million or so people have eagerly purchased this handset; I'd like to know how it's worked out for you. Thanks, Michael Micheletti Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
Thanks Maria for the link. That was a neat report. Now which one is the better Tphone (not considering the price). Unfortunatley or fortunatley iPhone is the one phone that every other phone must be measured against! Nokia N97, iPhone, Blackberry Storm, And this is something that I found from Nokia - http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/08/nokias-aeon-full-surface-screen-cellphone-concept/ cheers Rony On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 10:14 PM, Maria Cordell mcord...@gmail.com wrote: I don't have personal experience with the Storm, but David Pogue of the New York Times pretty much slammed the Storm when he reviewed it back in November: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html Maria On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 10:46 AM, Michael Micheletti michael.michele...@gmail.com wrote: I stopped by the Verizon booth in the mall the other day to try out a Blackberry Storm, the new one with the touchscreen. I'm a current Verizon customer, and my antique Moto Razor is about to do the El Croako. I'd heard the Storm had a good browser and a great screen for viewing media. Since Verizon has treated me pretty well and I've no complaints about their service, I was curious about their new phone. The guy at the booth let me play with theirs. I tried typing on it, and was not very successful. The Storm's touch screen acts like a button, so you have to press it down to enter a character. But it also acts like a touchscreen, so there's obviously no indent for your finger to know when you're over a button. I mistyped many characters, sometimes more than once, and got frustrated after a few minutes of fiddling with it. Perhaps this is just me. I'm curious to know if others on this list have successfully adapted to the Storm's unique touchscreen/button controls. Or if anyone here helped test or develop it and would like to share something of their experiences. Some million or so people have eagerly purchased this handset; I'd like to know how it's worked out for you. Thanks, Michael Micheletti Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Blackberry Storm
I recently tried a Storm for the first time and quite liked typing on it. In fact, heresy I actually preferred it over typing on my iPhone /heresy. Personal preference is likely a huge factor here. A few weeks after purchasing an iPhone, I found my typing speed and accuracy increased noticeably when I stopped gently brushing the screen and began pressing aggressively on it. With gusto, you might say. Doing the same on the Storm provides tactile feedback, a nice benefit. BBB Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
