Do you like the G2's keyboard mechanism?

**Sir Topas** · 08-20-2010, 01:16 PM

I was so crazy with anticipation for the upcoming G2.

This was going to be the device to rule all other devices. Until I saw these photos. What was HTC thinking with regard to the slider mechanism?

This thing looks like it could be extremely susceptible to breaking. Why couldn't they make it like all the other sliders, i.e. Kaiser or TP2? Heck, making it rotate like the Universal would have been awesome. But this?

How do you feel about it?

**newmexican** · 08-20-2010, 02:58 PM

I guess it is history repeating itself. Everybody jumped at the keyboard mechanism of the G1, when pictures turned up.

I have the G1 since the pre-order with no problem ever (I use it a lot and really like it). Neither have I heard of anybody ever having any problem with that. After my present experience I trust that HTC knows how to build working keyboard mechanisms.

For me the G2 is a likely buy. While I loved my G1, it is getting old and slow. The only thing I will be missing is the chin

**Kies** · 08-20-2010, 03:34 PM

The mechanism looks fine

**Sir Topas** · 08-20-2010, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kies

The mechanism looks fine

How so? Doesn't it look like those flimsy metal pieces could break off? The mechanism should be internal like it is on the TP2 IMO.

**Kies** · 08-20-2010, 04:03 PM

The TP2 has two little metal hinges and the screen wobbles like it's about to break off when tilted, but it still hasn't posed a problem. HTC isn't defect free by a long shot but they should be able to get this right.

**Scottish Skyedance** · 08-20-2010, 06:40 PM

I have a bit wierd feeling about it, but I don't really care as long as it's solid.

**el_yotcho** · 08-20-2010, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Sir Topas

How so? Doesn't it look like those flimsy metal pieces could break off? The mechanism should be internal like it is on the TP2 IMO.

What it looks like is irrelevant.

I was skeptical of the G1's durability when I saw pics and videos, but I took the plunge and now trust HTC's build quality more than any other maker. No worn-out keys, no dust under the screen, survived several drops on concrete with only some minor scuffs, and the hinge is as good as new, despite me playing with it a lot.

Nothing is guaranteed, but if the G1 is any indication, I have no worries. I'm more concerned about what processor it has--I hear Qualcomm MSM 7230 (800 MHz), which would be even more disappointing than the aging 1GHz Snapdragon. I was hoping for a step forward, but instead that would be a step back.

**Sir Topas** · 08-21-2010, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Kies

The TP2 has two little metal hinges and the screen wobbles like it's about to break off when tilted, but it still hasn't posed a problem. HTC isn't defect free by a long shot but they should be able to get this right.

That hasn't been my experience with the TP2. IMO it's one of the better devices from HTC in terms of build quality. I'm not seeing the metal hinges when I slide the keyboard out of the TP2 like I did in that pic of the G2.

**Sir Topas** · 10-03-2010, 03:05 AM

Perhaps I'm being a bit petty by rubbing it in, but I TOLD YOU SO!

**brad15** · 10-03-2010, 03:58 AM

my hinge is solid, people are just nit picking the slider too much, it'll be fine, it's just like everyone doubted the G1's slider and it's lasted just fine.

**Pay Phone** · 10-03-2010, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Sir Topas

Perhaps I'm being a bit petty by rubbing it in, but I TOLD YOU SO!

even in that thread a bunch of people said it wasn't an issue unless you held the phone upside down. How often do you plan on holding it upside down? I do agree though that they should have just made a regular slider and not tried to get all crazy with the design

**Scottish Skyedance** · 10-03-2010, 10:29 AM

I think the major problem of this mechanism is when you open it with one hand, which is almost impossible. Yes, you can try to push the screen edge instead of on the screen, but the phone is likely to fall off your hand.
I tried the demo unit at ratshak.

**Sir Topas** · 10-03-2010, 11:12 AM

The bottom line is the design was flawed from the beginning. Maybe the defect only manifests itself when holding the G2 upside down right now while it is new (which is still unacceptable for a supposed high-end device that costs $500 unsubsidized). However, with time one could anticipate the hinge may begin to be loosened even with normal use. Compare this with the sliding mechanism for the MyTouch 3G and Touch Pro 2, and the inferior nature of the G2's hinge is evident.

It's not as trivial an issue as the apologists would have you believe. Reputable sites like Engadget are reporting on it.