Before we start, let’s be clear. I am not a developer. I am not selling anything. This is merely just an idea based on my own insights as a creative writer. I would love to have different opinions on this one.

Problem: It’s really inconvenient to write long-form content on a smartphone. When the phone is in portrait mode, there’s enough room to see all the text, but the keyboard is too tiny for extended writing sessions resulting in fatigue. When you turn the smartphone to landscape mode, two problems arise: the keyboard takes up two-thirds of the screen, making it hard to see what you’re typing, and reaching the keys in the middle of the keyboard becomes difficult. Thumb mode isn’t a satisfactory solution either, as it leaves a sad stupid wasted space in the middle of the split keyboard.

When writing on a smartphone, screen real estate is precious. Tablets offer a split thumb floating keyboard mode, but they are bulky, heavy, and not comfortable for long-term typing. Carrying a tablet everywhere isn’t practical.

What’s available: I’ve tried a dozen writing apps (even Joe’s Termux with its high-condensed text) combined with several Android keyboards, but none come close to the experience of having a real keyboard (I prefer ortholinear split keyboards btw) attached to a smartphone for travel.

So, how can we fix the typing experience on a phone? Check these mockups.

Solution: The ideal solution would be to have a split keyboard that occupies the two top sides of the screen, with the text editor displayed in the middle. Full-screen mode to get rid of the status bar would be a plus. You would hold your phone like a Steam Deck or, even better, like the Nokia N-Gage (I know that there have been phones closer to what I’m describing, but the N-Gage is the most well-known form factor).

Additional benefits: This layout would be more comfortable to hold, similar to how you hold your phone when playing PUBG. Your index fingers would rest on the phone, and the bottom corners of the phone would fit into the palms’ cavity. Achieving this would be possible since the keyboard would be positioned closer toward the top corners of the phone (remember, the phone is in landscape mode).

Some other thoughts: Perhaps combining a keyboard with a text editor is excessive. It’s possible that a new type of keyboard that splits and allows you to view the text you’re typing in the middle would suffice. However, it’s uncertain whether this would work with every app.

**Disclaimer: **Please note that the following mockups provided are intended solely for illustrative purposes to convey the concept and potential user experience.

  • lwuy9v5@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Seems like a good attempt. I’d try it :)

    The steam controller / steam deck has a split virtual keyboard where you do the left side with your left thumb and right side with your right.

  • DrSilverworm@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    I would suggest checking out foldable Bluetooth physical keyboards. There are some that fold down not much bigger than the size of the phone. Gives tactile feedback, and saves a lot of screen real estate.

  • faltryka@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 year ago

    Interesting. Seems like it world allow for more dedicated keyboard space and thusly bigger burtons. I’d give it a try.

    Not sure how broad the appeal would be though.

    • Kirca@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I have a galaxy fold and can confirm when in landscape with the entire bottom half as a split keyboard and bigger buttons, it feels incredible to type on ( even portrait feels great).

      I know its not the broadest of appeals but as someone who write lengthy work emails on my phone it’s a feature I don’t think I will ever be able to live without now. I mention this because when I got the phone I had never even thought about it, and now it’s one of my favourite features of it, so while people may not expect to like it, they may try it “just to see” and be hooked.