http://d-lar.pdj.ru/remixes/868757/Bucovina_Machalagease_DJ_D_Lar_Remix.html

Specifically, the author mentions John Gruber’s take on the software/hardware keyboard issue and then proceeds to tell us that on two major points Gruber is wrong or not giving us the full story. The two “obvious” points (1 and 2 above), mentioned however, are completely at odds with Gruber’s argument, which this author has prefaced his points by saying he agrees with.

Point 1 (that there is a learning curve) is true of all keyboards if you haven’t used them before and they are different to what you are used to. This is essentially what Gruber was saying when he said that hardware keyboards would only appeal to those that already use them. It seems the author assumes that his audience is already intimately familiar and admiring of the physical key type keyboard to begin with.

Point 2 (that it’s un-natural somehow to not have physical keys) is pure balderdash and supposition. I don’t feel that way and I know thousands of others in the same situation. It’s classic “bad thinking” to assume that your own prejudices and preferences exist in the minds of others. To assume that because you can’t get your mind around something that it is un-natural is ridiculous. Gruber’s argument is again relevant here in that Gruber essentially argues (with more authority and more evidence to back it up), that software keyboards only *seem* un-natural to those that *already* prefer the keys.

This I think is where the author really lives. He is an old-school type, perhaps a bit on the conservative side, who just doesn’t “get” the new keyboards. I can remember when the mouse came out and similar arguments were made by similar people who claimed the only “real” way to use a computer was the keyboard.

Consumer:
People buy what they want. Some people like touch screens some don’t. People who cannot live without a particular feature (i.e. physical keyboard) will not consider such a device regardless of it’s other features. Most of the discussion I have seen on this issue can basically be summed up by saying, “I like it this way, so this way is the right way.” I’m all for consumer choice, but it seems like a given that if a person likes something a particular way that is what they will choose if give the opportunity.

For the Business side:
It does not make since for Apple to produce an iPhone with a physical keyboard because it would limit the places where such a phone could be sold. Apple has made it very clear that they want a world-wide market. From the business side this seems a much better decision, as a company, than what other companies are doing. Apple is essentially training their customers to expect a feature that benefits Apple to produce. Manufacturers that use physical keyboards in a single language are training their customers to expect something that, by design, limits the reach of the product.

I personally think that touch screen keyboards have a very good chance to to replace physical keyboards as the primary input method for mobile devices. Companies like RIM and Palm should spend the time to determine which way works for their business model; Apple already has.

Using internet services fairly often, I would not get along with an on-screen keyboard, but it is quite handy for short inputs like time and date – you don’t have to flip open the phone.

Regarding tactile feedback; a little vibration for each character is just perfect. I am not sure anymore if the iPhone offers that, the G1 does.

@ Priit: We have äöüß (german), the physical keyboard is localised.