Non-Touch Screen Smartphone?

[scotsboyuk]

Are SE missing a trick by not having a non-touchscreen smartphone? The W960 seems to be more in the mould of a mobile that happens to be a smartphone although it does have a touchscreen. Would a non-touchscreen smartphone open up any new demographic for SE?

[chlettn]

I'd say they're definitely missing a target demographic - the one I'd position myself in.

Personally, I just don't think a touchscreen is all that great and more of a hassle than a boon - and still, I wouldn't buy a non-smartphone.

[Mweb]

Well yeah, technically they are missing out, i'm like chlettn apart from the fact that my main device MUST have TS:)
Like most TS phones you can operate 99% of functions via another input method anyway, so whats not to like?.

[saliquincer]

scotsboyuk,
probably they have a plan for this but not for tomorrow. ;) !!!

[scotsboyuk]

@saliquincer

I would tend to agree, it just strikes me as being a little odd that they haven't released even one so far. One handset would at least allow them to test the waters and see how such a range would fare. I think there are probably a fair number of people who would be interested in having a smartphone that wasn't PDA like. The W960 seems to be a step in that direction given that it looks more like a mobile than a smartphone and that it isn't aimed at business users. I suppose one could say the same of the W950, but to me it looked like a traditional smartphone.

[are_s]

Latest inside info says SE will announce something like this before the end of the year...

[scotsboyuk]

@are_s

I hope that proves correct, it would be a welcome addition in my opinion.

[rss_ndrsn]

humm.....A slider with 3.2 megapixel, perhaps or first cybershot clamshell.

[sassafras]

I'm in the "will never again buy a non-TS smartphone" camp. I tried the Nokia E65 and actually quite liked it but not having a TS or Qwerty input really made it feel more like a dumbphone to be honest. sure, you could install cool apps and multitask but something was just missing. browsing the web is a pain in the arse with just a numeric keypad/joystick.

however, I do feel that SE should put hardware directional keys on all their phones. that would be the ultimate combo (ie TS+hardware directional keys) and all users would be happy.

forcing you to use either your finger or the stylus (m600 & w950 style) is not a fantastic solution. that only really works on PDAs. with phones, people want to use their thumb more.

[chlettn]

however, I do feel that SE should put hardware directional keys on all their phones. that would be the ultimate combo (ie TS+hardware directional keys) and all users would be happy.

Yes - d-pad and softkeys would be OK too - I just don't want to be forced to use the TS for anything basic...

[Ronka]

SE would probably kills Nokia in smartfone battle if this happen.

[a2k24]

Go Ronka Go SE :super:

[marvin]

Touchscreen is basically useless on small screens. But they have become standard feature on large screen PDAs. I have yet to see a large screen PDA that doesn't support TS.

I would think that for as long as mobile phones have embraced PDA features and are competing in the PDA/phone market where RIM and WM phones reign supreme, it would be wise for a cellphone maker to have TS when using screens above 2.6" Afterall, TS is supposed to be just one of the ways to navigate or input data in one. For some SE phones, you can use their QWERTy pads and D-pads and not use their TS if you don't like it. I am so used to it that when I played with an N95 and an E61i in a store, I instinctively tried touching the icons on their large screens thinking they were TS. :D

SE smartphones like the P910i/P900 and the P990i don't go TS when their flips are closed. For me, smartphones with large screens should have TS. TS is a great feature especially if the screen UI is designed right, meaning it has large enough icons and virtual numeric keys you can use your finger with. Fingerprint smudges on the screen are things PDA users have grown to live with. :D

If SE comes out with non-TS smartphones, those models would be competing directly with many Nokia non-TS smartphones which they can do ofcourse. It won't be competing in the PDA/phone market.

[eccentric]

This is the first time I heard someone complaining about touch screen... :confused:
There is a strong reason why I love SE smartphone, cause it has touch screen and wide display. Imagine if you have to scroll one by one to get to the target that you desired to open or edit, what a dumb comparison if you can just click it on touch screen... :)
Most of the quality products now a day came in touch screen technology, tablet notebook for example. I hope TV someday all will be produce in touch screen al well... :cool:

Don't think there is a problem in using it, just use your nail without pulling out the stylus can be done as well... :lol: