RIM, Microsoft and other mobile producers did not care much
about Apple’s idea when they unveiled the pure touch iPhone integrating virtual
keyboard. However, the outstanding success of iPhone has made them think again.
And the touch-screen phone has been becoming a trend that many people are
looking forward to. To compete, the top mobile producers has been completing
and updating smart phones versions for their own, and RIM is not an exception.
In this article, we will review the virtual development on BlackBerry
Smartphones.
BlackBerry Storm
BlackBerry Storm
RIM introduced the first smartphone with the inclusive
SurePress Technology. Surepress comes from the idea of integrating touchscreen
that brings a lively feeling of using an identical physical keyboard. But the
biggest mistake of RIM is they did not complete it before integrating into the
phone. Because there is a pressure sensor under the screen, the sensitiveness
of the corners is extremely low. This can be considered “the greatest failure”
of RIM.
Blackberry Storm 2
Blackberry Storm 2
This is the next generation of BlackBerry Storm, using
SurePress, still, but supporting the piezo electrical screen technology. Under
the screen now are 4 sensors which are distributed equally to 4 corners. This
really helps to improve the interactive speed and the performances become
strong and easy. However, Storm 2 is still a continuing failure because of a
lack in advertising.
BlackBerry Torch 9800
BlackBerry Torch
9800
This is the first product that both virtual and traditional
QWERTY keyboard on screen. They gave up SurePress Technology, bringing the
newest experience with capacitive screen. The virtual keyboard on Torch also
has pop-up keys like iPhone. In addition, there is nothing else special.
BlackBerry Torch 9860, 9850, 9810 & Curve 9380
With OS7 and 7.1,
the virtual keyboards of RIM have been improved
With OS7 and 7.1, the virtual keyboards of RIM have been
improved. More shortcut keys and reasonable arrangement allows sensitive and
accurate text editing. In general, touch screen on BlackBerry OS7 is fairly
perfect. It really makes no difference to iPhone and other equipment.
BlackBerry PlayBook
BlackBerry
PlayBook
Owning QNX, an OS for development, is a chance for RIM to
take over the tablet market with BlackBerry Playbook release. There is nothing
to complain about this multi-touch keyboard and this is considered the best
virtual keyboard of RIM up to now.
BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry 10
At BlackBerry World 2012, RIM amused with the virtual
keyboard for BlackBerry 10. With the identical interface to the physical
keyboard, the impressive feature is the ability of foreseeing texts, in which
there are hint words appearing on the letter keys of virtual keyboard. We only
touch slightly to choose the words. Sure as it is, some other features of
BlackBerry 10 keyboard will be completed before official release.
It is hoped that Rim is on the right track with BlackBerry
10 and everything will flourish in the near future.
