Point number 2 of my recent post: “The 10 reasons why the N82 isn’t perfect ” mentions that something that the N82 lacks are media keys. This got me thinking: On sliders like the N95 it’s been pretty much solved by doing a dual slide design which houses media keys, but how should these be implemented on a Mono block device like the N82?
1. Slide-out top-mounted media keys: The N95’s slide-out design works perfectly, so why not do the same for a mono block device like the N82? This could be done by having a small slide-out portion at the top of the device.
2. Traditional side-mounted keys: This is probably one of the more traditional ways of adding media keys: placing keys on the sides of the phone. Peter Rullmann from the Humane Computing blog suggests that side-mounted media keys on the mono block devices like the N82, would Not only to control the music player but also to start a voice recording.
3. Sliding front cover. A similar idea was implemented on the N91 and N91 8GB which in fact were candybar devices with a sliding front cover.
4. Stealth keys surrounding the D-pad, which were implemented on the N81 series of devices and soon to be released N96.
In my opinion the raison the etre for candybar devices is having a sturdy and compact devices and having slide-out (point 1) and slide-to-cover solutions like the N91 (point 4) would work well, but would add unnecessary moving parts which candybar lovers are VERY sensitive about. Stealth keys like the N81 don’t work so well as it all has the be pushed into a very tiny space and it also increases the chance of accidentally pressing the wrong keys. Based on this, I would say that tradional side-mounted media keys stay true to what candybars are all about, while still adding the convenience of media control. What do you think is the best way of implementing media keys on a Candybar design like the N82?
A candy bar phone that only has a play/pause button on the side, and has a touch sensitive d-pad, so that with one flick to either direction it goes to a next track (forward or backward), or with continuous motion on the touch-sensitive d-pad, it would FF or RW. The stop button can be sacrificed, because you can get that with pausing, and pressing RW backwards once. If something like this happens, it’s also essential to have a physical keypad lock. These are suggestions and not refined, so if there are flaws please point out.
Devin, you forgot to mention the model used on the 5310 where the playback keys are next to the screen, i think it’s not that bad a solution either
I would like to have them on the side as in #2.
Any other change with slides or stealth keys would make me choose another phone…
I just hate those sliders and stuff that moves!
cheers
john
Rita, Good one. I actually forgot about that. And that could be even better than side keys as you can actually what keys do what without turning the phone.
Amir,
you mean sorta like navi, wheel? Ofcourse that would be great.
Yes, exactly what I mean, having Navi-wheel standard on all future devices.
Rita also pointed out a good alternative, but I haven’t tried it to see how practical it is.
Hey devin great article. I would love to have it like this…
Hold down the up volume key 2 seconds for next track, the down for previous track.
Hold down the gallery button 2 seconds to play/pause. it already looks like a play button.
have these keys only active when the music player is active.
i agree no moving parts. this is why we love the n82!
I have been using the Sony Ericsson K550i. It implement exactly the same method as Mike mentioned. I hold the volume button for next track. Even it is not a music phone, I could control its playback easily without taking it out of pocket.
But I am really jealous of the S60 platform, so I’m planning for an Nokia S60 phone.