I was browsing TUAW today and I found a commentary on Steve Job's comments on smartphone keyboards.

While Steve does have a Reality Distortion Field*, he does have some valid points:
Keyboards are generally there when you don't need them unless they are slide out keyboards in which case they tuck away when not in use. This of course does have its pitfalls. My blue angel's keyboard has gotten lose with use (hey that rhymes!) in effect sliding out when I don't need it.

TUAW's assertion that the lack of a non-tactile keyboard slows you down. Well, true, however it's only the case because one might be used to a specific type of keyboard. I've used HTC devices, Treos, and Blackberries - all of their keyboards sucked big time! I still hunt-n-peck with all the built-in smartphone keyboards - and my thumbs end up hurting after use (crackberry thumb syndrome?!) I am not saying that the on-screen keyboard is necessarily better - but do enjoy having a bigger screen area and not having a keyboard out there when I don't need it.


Also, don't forget to see Colbert's opinion on the iPhone :-)



*I personally think this is the mark of a great presenter - something similar to the protagonist of Thank you for smoking - but I digress