3 ms·

The amount it costs to build a mechanical interface, compared with the absurdly cheap costs of capacitive sensors (which can be found in $0.50 microcontrollers

The amount it costs to build a mechanical interface, compared with the absurdly cheap costs of capacitive sensors (which can be found in $0.50 microcontrollers run across a PCB for basically free), means that mechanical interfaces are pretty much dead IMO. Mechanical interfaces are superior, yes. But touch-capacitive is so cheap that I don't think we'd ever go back. ---------- Honestly, the Blackberry, Palm Centro, LG Optimus Enlighten were all good items I've used personally. The speed at which I could type / move around on those systems is absurdly faster than the slow, inaccurate, capacitive screens of today. But I know a thing or two about manufacturing costs. Capacitive is just too cheap to compete against. -------- Resistive screens (Gameboy DS bottom touchscreen) have benefits for relatively simplicity and better accuracy in my experience. But you lose on pinch-to-zoom or other multi-digit tracking. There's just been more work on capacitive touch that its the cheapest way to implement things today in practice.

cmrdporcupine 3y ago
Nah, we're just in an weird valley right now where users still see capacitive touch screens as "ooh fancy new better" and so wouldn't consider paying more for mechanical. But I expect that will eventually wear off and some consumers (not the majority, but some) will be willing to pay the premium for mechanical things. Especially in things like cars, where "giant ipad centre console" for a long time was some sort of luxury-differentiator, when in fact it's a terrible, distracting, cost cutting measure. At some point the return of mechanical knobs and switches -- done stylishly and ergonomically -- will become the luxury signifier instead. It's the #1 thing turning me off buying any Tesla, and I know I'm not the only one. Slapping a touch screen in something to replace physical interfaces tells me a company not only cheaped out on components, but on design & UX research. It's hard work to design and lay out quality mechanical components.
- zzbn00 3y ago
  Just yesterday had occasion to use a battered old blackberry passport with physical keyboard. To me undoubtedly superior for text input compared to current devices.

cmrdporcupine 3y ago

Nah, we're just in an weird valley right now where users still see capacitive touch screens as "ooh fancy new better" and so wouldn't consider paying more for mechanical. But I expect that will eventually wear off and some consumers (not the majority, but some) will be willing to pay the premium for mechanical things. Especially in things like cars, where "giant ipad centre console" for a long time was some sort of luxury-differentiator, when in fact it's a terrible, distracting, cost cutting measure. At some point the return of mechanical knobs and switches -- done stylishly and ergonomically -- will become the luxury signifier instead. It's the #1 thing turning me off buying any Tesla, and I know I'm not the only one. Slapping a touch screen in something to replace physical interfaces tells me a company not only cheaped out on components, but on design & UX research. It's hard work to design and lay out quality mechanical components.

zzbn00 3y ago
Just yesterday had occasion to use a battered old blackberry passport with physical keyboard. To me undoubtedly superior for text input compared to current devices.