Check out these two quotes from a recent NYT article on Windows 7 tablets:
“…The Samsung device is described as “similar in size and shape to the Apple iPad, although it is not as thin. It also includes a unique and slick keyboard that slides out from below for easy typing…”
“…The people familiar with this device said it will run the Windows 7 operating system when in landscape mode, but will also have a layered interface that will appear when the keyboard is hidden and the device is held in a portrait mode…”
These two concepts are a terrible idea for so many reasons. Let’s unpack.
Landscape = Planet Awkward
Firstly, a landscape keyboard that is actually physically attached to a tablet is completely wrong. Think about it:
- How do you operate it? Do you hold the device in your hands and use your thumbs? If so, how do you reach the keys in the middle without awkwardly re-shuffling your grip on the device?
- If you don’t use your thumbs, do you rest the device on a surface, or in your lap? Does a physical keyboard on a tablet let you use all your fingers to type? Are the keys big, light & responsive enough to allow you to do that?
- How does the sliding keyboard affect the position of the screen? Will the tablet tip off your lap because the keyboard is throwing off the weight of the device?
Much like the iPad portrait keyboard, a physical keyboard on a tablet is doomed to sit in that awkward zone between common keyboard sizes. Too big for thumbs, yet too small for a set of hands. Microsoft have repeatedly said they want to create a tablet that enables people to do “proper work” — by that, I believe they mean Office apps. However, who wants to do “proper work” on a Word, Excel or Powerpoint document on such an awkward keyboard?
What’s My Mode?
If the tablet switches to full-blown Windows 7 mode when held in landscape with the keyboard slid-out, the implication is that such a device will not include a landscape view for any tablet-specific apps. That’s a huge mistake; many iPad apps work best in landscape. I would consider the iPad an extremely flawed device if developers could only make apps for the portrait orientation.
However, it may mean that there are landscape orientations for tablet apps, but only when the keyboard is not slid-out. So now this theoretical device has a number of modes:
- Held in landscape, keyboard slid-out = Windows 7
- Held in landscape, keyboard hidden = tablet apps, software keyboard
- Held in portrait, keyboard hidden = tablet apps, software keyboard
- Held in portrait, keyboard slid-out = ???
God, what a mess. I think this device would immediately confuse the hell out of people.
I can’t help but think this is exactly what you get when trying to shoehorn a full-blown operating system into this form-factor. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it.
/via [Microsoft to Announce New Slates Targeting iPad - NYTimes.com]
