Any key answer for the Samsung GT-B7510

[Davros0]

Hello All,

I have a slight problem I hope someone can help with.

I have just gone over to a Samsung Galaxy Pro GT-B7510 (running Android 2.2.2). The problem I have is in answering a call. Due to disability, I have trouble with trouchscreens. It took me ages to be convinced to go over to Android (I am the quintessential Nokia fan boy). The experience however is going better than I thought it was going to, especially when I was told that I could do most of what I want to do (send SMSs, update contacts, enter calendar entries) using one of my favourite pieces of software, MyPhoneExplorer.

However, over the last few days it has become apparent that I have a problem. I rarely get phone calls, and when I do I usually have a headset on (either a Nokia BH-212 or a Nokia BH-503). Over the last week though, I have received a few calls when I am not driving the eleccy wheelchair, so I have not had either headset on. I find I have terrible trouble answering the phone by swiping my finger across the phone. I have looked through the settings of the phone but cannot see an any key answer option. I have found a setting for terminating the call using the power button, though that is not very helpful, in this case.

I have had a look on the Android market, and a Google search, but cannot find anything to help. I might be changing the phone in the next few weeks, if I can find one I like with a physical QWERTY keyboard. However, in the meantime, does anyone know of an app I can use to give me any key answer?

Richard.

[CeluGeek]

I had that phone and I hated it's guts, but that's besides the point.

If I remember correctly, there may be an option under Settings, Calls, Answer/End but it was to assign the Home button as the answer key. It's better than the touchscreen but may still pose problemsif your mobility prevents you from zeroing in a particular key.

[Davros0]

Well it is not brilliant phone, I agree. I got it as a free upgrade. If I was advising someone on buying a phone then I would recommend another. Saying that though, the cursor keys kelp me get around the icons on the screen. When I am not near a computer, the physical keys do at least allow me to reply to SMSs. I am trying to use Vilingo (speech to type) when I am out, but my track record with computer voice recognition, over the last fifteen years, is not reat. :-) I also do not really want an all singing, all dancing phone. I am usually at home, and only need the phone in case there is a problem with the eleccy, when out.

I have not seen that setting, but will take another gander. You have nailed the problem quite succinctly. Zeroing on a specific key is my problem. Only having the use of one hand does not help eitherl, as I have to answer the call and then find a way of picking the phone up without ending the call. Hence the use of the headsets.

Thanks for the reply.

[Davros0]

After looking at your phone, I think it might be the one I might go for. Due to the way I hold the phone when messaging, in the crook of my none working hand/arm, I think the form factor of the GT-B7510 is better for me. This is because the keyboard is then longwise. It is hard to explain unless you try it. Put your left hand arose your lap (though my wrist lies more on my hip), as you would if you had broken it, and it was in a sling. I then rest the phone in the crook of my arm. As I can now use Vlingo, messaging has just got a bit easier, so the keyboard orientation is not so critical.

Anyway, I have had the Nokia E75, as is depicted in my phone icon, and though it is not perfect, it is better than no physical keyboard at all. I take it you find the Glide better the GT-B7510? I read a review of it earlier and they seemed to like it a lot. The major criticism they had, which is really bad if true, was this, "Voice calls made on the handset were incredibly disappointing. Not only did our caller sound distant and disjointed, but there also appeared to be some sort of delay, rendering a fluent two-way conversation impossible and forcing us to end the call. This could very well have been an AT&T network issue and not a flaw in Samsung's construction. Still, should you be the gossiping type, prepare to embrace decent call quality."

I would be interested on what you make of the phone? I might have a look at it in the fourth coming weeks. I think my decade-long love affair with Nokia is coming to an end (only because I think the s60 is dead, and I have never been convinced by the Windows phone, even with Nokia supplying the hardware). That being said, I think that it might be time to look for a better Android phone that has a physical keyboard.

Richard.

[NSF]

I'm actually interested in this phone. I'm looking for an AT&T compatible unlocked Android phone with physical QWERTY keyboard for Straight Talk, and was planning to run the phone with no data plan, all data going via WIFI when available. I currently have touch screen Samsung that I absolutely despise(T528G).

The E72 & E75 are significantly more expensive than the 7510, so that's not really a fair comparison. What can be recommended given:
Android
Qwerty
AT&T network compatible
Unlocked < $200?

[Davros0]

I think for anyone that wants a no-frills phone, then the B-7510 would suffice. I do not think I want a phone with much on it, though my "not much", is more than that phone delivers. Initially I liked it, though that did not last long.

You are right, the three phones are not in the same league. It was not my intention to try and imply that they were. However, if these functions are included, then I expect them to work in a satisfactory manner - i.e., the Bluetooth not just to work on one side of your body. If it had not had an MP3 player, or A2DP, I would not have even looked at it . Who thinks of asking the phone assistant (who in my experience are useless), whether the alarm, SMS alert tone, and the low battery warning sound, all use the same tone? So you do not whether you have an appointment to attend, a message to read, or a phone to charge. And they cannot be changed.

Yes, I have been spoiled by the Nokia. I do expect the new phones to try and compete though. If nothing else, it has taught me to ask more searching questions. This is why I like forums. I have enough blank expressions, in shops, with the simple question, "Does it support A2DP V2.0 or higher?"

Richard.