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Raised keyboard Droid 1?
- Thread starter tmarr
- Start date
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- Tags
- motorola droid
dasanman69
Well-Known Member
The keys on my OG Droid are flat, but I have seen Droids whose keys are slightly bubbled up.
shadowdude777
Android Expert
Some Droids have bubbly keyboards which give them a lot more feel. I personally have had both (originally the bubbly one and now my replacement is flat) and I prefer the flat one. My fingers are very thin so I don't need the extra tactility of the bubbly keyboard.
Since I think I'm the one who posted the classified ad he's referring to, it's only fitting that I answer the question 
This is the picture I used to compare the two: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
In my research about the Droid's keyboard, I came to the following conclusions:
-Some early Droid models had the raised/bubbly keyboard. This design was eventually phased out.
-Several people report that the raised keys are easier to type on. There are also reports of its keys become stiff over time.
-The "flat" keyboard requires less effort to press. It can become more bubbled with use over time as a result of heat and/or the oils in your fingers.
I initially wasn't aware of the stiffness complaints of the raised keyboard so I considered it to be the superior choice. I have since - regretfully - changed my mind.
What a shame LG gimped the Ally with an outdated processor. The Droid's ergonomics really aren't very good.
No offense intended to the Droid fans in house, of course
This is the picture I used to compare the two: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
In my research about the Droid's keyboard, I came to the following conclusions:
-Some early Droid models had the raised/bubbly keyboard. This design was eventually phased out.
-Several people report that the raised keys are easier to type on. There are also reports of its keys become stiff over time.
-The "flat" keyboard requires less effort to press. It can become more bubbled with use over time as a result of heat and/or the oils in your fingers.
I initially wasn't aware of the stiffness complaints of the raised keyboard so I considered it to be the superior choice. I have since - regretfully - changed my mind.
What a shame LG gimped the Ally with an outdated processor. The Droid's ergonomics really aren't very good.
No offense intended to the Droid fans in house, of course
Since I think I'm the one who posted the classified ad he's referring to, it's only fitting that I answer the question
This is the picture I used to compare the two: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
In my research about the Droid's keyboard, I came to the following conclusions:
-Some early Droid models had the raised/bubbly keyboard. This design was eventually phased out.
-Several people report that the raised keys are easier to type on. There are also reports of its keys become stiff over time.
-The "flat" keyboard requires less effort to press. It can become more bubbled with use over time as a result of heat and/or the oils in your fingers.
I initially wasn't aware of the stiffness complaints of the raised keyboard so I considered it to be the superior choice. I have since - regretfully - changed my mind.
What a shame LG gimped the Ally with an outdated processor. The Droid's ergonomics really aren't very good.
No offense intended to the Droid fans in house, of course
Wow I just realized I actually do have the raised keyboard. I have always thought of my keyboard as being too flat, but that picture shows me quite clearly that mine is bubbly. I have always noticed that my buttons are annoyingly hard to press down, which I always attributed to mine being a "flat keyboard" - and I expected the raised to be better. Now I realize how backwards I have been... I want to try out a flat keyboard and I can't see how it could be any worse than my current one (which pretty much sucks).
Then again just reading what you said about keyboards "bubbling over" with use, it's possible mine was a flat keyboard originally. Either way, I have always been slightly disappointed with my keyboard, and usually avoid using it much.
I think it's more likely your keyboard came raised right out of the box. While I did find several reports of peoples' flat keyboards bubbling over time, none of them mentioned the keys becoming stiff.
If I had to venture a guess, I would probably say that the transition to the flat keyboard was a positive step in terms of quality.
I've never actually tried typing on the raised keyboard. I did try out the flat keyboard on a local store's leftover display model and it was absolutely horrible. I personally wouldn't worry about it being 'better'.
If the Ally had a better processor or the Incredible's street price was lower, I'd be looking for one of them instead.
If I had to venture a guess, I would probably say that the transition to the flat keyboard was a positive step in terms of quality.
I've never actually tried typing on the raised keyboard. I did try out the flat keyboard on a local store's leftover display model and it was absolutely horrible. I personally wouldn't worry about it being 'better'.
If the Ally had a better processor or the Incredible's street price was lower, I'd be looking for one of them instead.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
They started phasing out the bubbly keyboards pretty quickly, for what reason, I have no idea. I've got the bubbly, and I'm rather satisfied with it. It may not be a perfect keyboard, but it's been more than satisfactory for me and my fat fingers.
AndroidsOfTara
Android Enthusiast
My wife and I both have Droids.
Her phone's (purchased in March 2010) keyboard is perfectly flat while mine (purchased in December 2009) is bubbled. I prefer typing on hers.
Not only that, but on my phone, the entire keyboard membrane has separated from the buttons below. It still works perfectly, but I notice the gap when I first start typing and it sets off my phone OCD.
Her phone's (purchased in March 2010) keyboard is perfectly flat while mine (purchased in December 2009) is bubbled. I prefer typing on hers.
Not only that, but on my phone, the entire keyboard membrane has separated from the buttons below. It still works perfectly, but I notice the gap when I first start typing and it sets off my phone OCD.
DLM
Well-Known Member
they get noisy over time too. I had this on my first droid. They swapped it because of this reasonSince I think I'm the one who posted the classified ad he's referring to, it's only fitting that I answer the question
This is the picture I used to compare the two: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
In my research about the Droid's keyboard, I came to the following conclusions:
-Some early Droid models had the raised/bubbly keyboard. This design was eventually phased out.
-Several people report that the raised keys are easier to type on. There are also reports of its keys become stiff over time.
-The "flat" keyboard requires less effort to press. It can become more bubbled with use over time as a result of heat and/or the oils in your fingers.
I initially wasn't aware of the stiffness complaints of the raised keyboard so I considered it to be the superior choice. I have since - regretfully - changed my mind.
What a shame LG gimped the Ally with an outdated processor. The Droid's ergonomics really aren't very good.
No offense intended to the Droid fans in house, of course
Not bad