vB Easy Archive - One-handed use of the 8525?

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One-handed use of the 8525?
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Posted by: mindflayer

I have a Treo 650. One of the things I like about it is the ability to use it one-handed. How does the 8525 handle one-handed operation?

Posted by: nutnbolt

I think this is obvious. Impossible unless u r some freak. It's doable I guess but hard to handle.

Posted by: importluva

Its possible. Typing one-handed isn't really easy, but still possible I guess if you have large enough hands. I never try it.

I hate trying to search for a contact one handed. Without opening up the keyboard, it just takes too long to scroll through my list.

Posted by: RF9

I've had the Treo 600 & 650 for the last 3 years. I can tell you that you'll probably prefer the Treo 750 if you use your PDA on the go (like while walking, driving, etc.) because of the form factor obviously and because of the subtle enhancements palm did to the OS to make it meld better with the phone. If you tend to only call people on the go, and use the rest of the features while sitting somehwere, then the 8525 is fine.

I have the 8525. I can tell you it's VERY 1 handed. You can do almost everything with 1 hand and without touching the screen. The ONLY difference is that you can't type any letters or numbers while using it 1 handed. So when doing a text message, wanting to use a keyboard letter as a menu shortcut, or enter a password on a web page, you can't do any of these things with 1 hand like you can on the Treo 750. You have to open the keyboard, tap the on screen keyboard with your other finger's fingernail, or use the stylus.

Make any sense?
I WILL be getting the Treo 750 when it's out. I'm just on the 8525 until then.

But besides text/number entry (which I find is frequent.) It's just as 1-handed. You can definitely dial and enter a contact with the on screen dial pad (You can call someone) totally 1-handed.

Go check out http://www.treocentral.com/ There are a few threads there comparing the two and what's better/worse about each.

I know the question wasn't about the 750 (which MIGHT be out in January if we're lucky.) But based on you being from a 650 and the way you asked your question, that's my recommendation.

Posted by: gravejoker

It's very 1-handed if you can configure it right .. most of the stuff you can do one handedly. ..

Posted by: cali_kid2k

it's a very hard decision between this and the blackjack, ,blackjack form factor is VERY attractive, but 8525's features and menu/interface just beats the pants off it. I still cant decide.

Posted by: KlamshellKing

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali_kid2k

it's a very hard decision between this and the blackjack, ,blackjack form factor is VERY attractive, but 8525's features and menu/interface just beats the pants off it. I still cant decide.

I still cant decide either... they both look extremely nice, but i dont want to buy both. I know ill become addicted to one and neglect the other.

Posted by: Andru1313

I have had both the treo and the 8125/8525. I have yet to be able to 1 hand the 8525 it just isn't easy. I am sure you can configure the touch screen to do it but not worth it. Just my 2 cents.

If you want to 1 hand go treo i

Posted by: gravejoker

you can actually do most of the stuff without touching the screen .. try mapping button 5 "press" to left softkey and button 5 "press and hold" to right softkey ..

Posted by: mindflayer

Good info. I appreciate the personal experience, RF9. I am coming from the Treo 600 and 650, and am used to being able to use it one-handed while standing in line or with a cup of coffee in one hand. I wanted to see how well the 8525 can be customized for one-handed use - this T650 is dying, and I need a phone sooner than later.

Posted by: importluva

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindflayer

Good info. I appreciate the personal experience, RF9. I am coming from the Treo 600 and 650, and am used to being able to use it one-handed while standing in line or with a cup of coffee in one hand. I wanted to see how well the 8525 can be customized for one-handed use - this T650 is dying, and I need a phone sooner than later.

To make using the phone easier to use one-handed, I added about 20 speed dials to my speed dial menu. So I can use the scroll wheel to scroll down my list to call the 20 places I need to call most. So far it works well.

Posted by: gravejoker

There was a guy on xda who was writing an app for one handed dialing of phone #s ... Donno what happened over there .. Need to check up on that ..

Posted by: RF9

When I got the 8525 shipped to me, I considered not even opening the box and exchanging it at Cingular for the Blackjack.
But I'm glad I didn't. The complaints I've heard about the Blackjack including "I'm trying hard to like this phone" have made me decide it's not the right phone to get.
The complaints about the d-pad and the spacing, making it hard to use, really kills it for one thing. That'd drive me up the wall, I just know that about myself. The d-pad on the 8525 takes a little getting used to, but I've never had issues with it. The scroll wheel on the side (which I thought was gay) turns out to be a very good asset. I end up using it quite a lot.

So I think wait for the Treo 750 or get the 8525. I have the 8525, but I'll be getting the 750 when it finally comes. Not really an option today, sadly.

That's just my opinion.

Posted by: TriAxis

I come from the smartphone world and will have never used a PPC until the 8525. I do think that smartphones are easier to use one handed. This is because you can do most things with your right hand. For the 8525 you are forced to use your left hand for one handed operations. I'm not too coordinated with my left so it makes things harder. Now I'm sure as I use it more I'll get a lot better with it. I can't imagine using a PPC without the scroll wheel & start/OK buttons. Because I have larger hands I can move my thumb from the scroll wheel on the side to the keys on the front. Also keep in mind the OK button on the side works double duty. So if you press it at the today screen it opens the start menu, press it again it turns into the OK button. Also the scroll wheel works double duty as an "enter" type button. So here is a typical scenario.
Press OK button on the side w/ thumb and Start Menu opens.
Move thumb to scroll wheel and scroll down to Programs and press the scroll wheel in.
Scroll the wheel to the desired app and press the scroll wheel in again to launch it.
Move thumb back to the side OK button and press it 2X to get back to the today screen.
So you can literally open any app in like 2 seconds and then close it even quicker only by using your left thumb.

The hardest thing I have found about using the 8525 one handed is making phone calls (ironically). I have to use my right hand to dial with one hand. I press the green call button with my right thumb. Dial the number on screen with my right thumb. Then either finish dialing the whole number or selecting it from the contacts dropdown, by moving my thumb to the D-Pad and selecting the name. I think I will be able to use my left hand to do this soon, but it feels ackward right now.

I would say if your interested in the 8525 don't make your decision just based on a 20 minute trial at a store. It will take some getting used to.