> A rotary dial is an affectation for anyone; a physical keyboard is a valuable tool for some users. I entirely disagree. They are both simply examples of what

> A rotary dial is an affectation for anyone; a physical keyboard is a valuable tool for some users. I entirely disagree. They are both simply examples of what one is used to and therefore prefers. The only difference between a "valuable tool" and an arcane affectation is your personal preferences. I have no problem distinguishing between useful and trendy. We're not talking about just mass market popularity, we're talking about these niche devices no longer existing. "Because it's trendy" isn't the reason that even companies that have no problem with spitting out endless models and variations have also abandoned hardware keyboards. A full size phone headset, a rotary dial, a landline. All arcane affectations in the eyes of most, useful tools in the eyes of those that swear by them. In 10 years, we'll look back on hardware keyboards on phones the way we look at floppy disks. Most already do.