Rumor: Apple Working On iPhone With Slide-Out Keyboard For Business Users?

Edward Kirk · July 1st, 2008, 06:01 PM

According to The Register, Apple is considering creating an iPhone with a slide-out keyboard geared toward business users who don't like the idea of trying to type on a touch-sensitive screen. According to their sources, "whether or not [Steve Jobs] ever makes it work, he is already trying to make a 'slide-out' keyboard for a corporate version of the iPhone," and he has started showing prototypes of the device to operators in order to gauge demand for it.

According to their report, the device would be geared primarily toward business users, and would be an attempt at Apple to grab market share from Blackberry.

They don't make clear if the information came from Apple or a carrier, but we're guessing that it probably wasn't Apple. We're also guessing that, while I'm sure they would make a keyboard look wonderful, it would deviate from the iPhone's minimalist form factor, and that it's unlike them to target business users in that way.

[via The Register]

July 1st, 2008, 06:27 PM

yeah, def not happening. idk who the register got this from but im pretty confident its not at all even remotely true.

steve101 · July 1st, 2008, 07:16 PM #3

i dont think so...
if anything, the keyboard wont be a part of the iphone, at least an accessory.
a physical keyboard attachment would seem like a 2002 Palm pilot idea.

iphonefreak11 · **NO!!** - July 1st, 2008, 07:27 PM #4

One of the advantages of the on-screen keyboard is the fact that it can change languages and it is easy to change. With the slide-out keyboard business people who travel a lot won't be able to switch languages!

madscientest · **I agree** - July 1st, 2008, 07:45 PM #5

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummmm

yeah, def not happening. idk who the register got this from but im pretty confident its not at all even remotely true.

that would be taking a GIANT leap backwards!! having ONLY the buttons you need at the exact time is a definite plus. And honestly, my iphone has never made a call in my pocket without me knowing about it, Im sure this has to do with apples great design, even tho it does lack copy and paste, MMS, and bluetooth audio

xxx · July 1st, 2008, 08:29 PM #6

Gross. That is all I have to say.

All we need is a longitudinal one like in the picture when texting, typing notes, etc. that would be helpful way more than a gross slide out one.

imagine engine · July 1st, 2008, 11:59 PM #7

I call B.S. on this one. I highly doubt Apple will offer a slide out keyboard to look like the failing competitors that are trying to imitate Apple's success with the iPhone. I really find the digital qwerty keyboard just as user friendly as a blackberry or Treo keyboard.

ummmm Guest Posts: n/a	im gonna go ahead and call shennanigans on this - July 1st, 2008, 06:27 PM #2
ummmm Guest Posts: n/a	yeah, def not happening. idk who the register got this from but im pretty confident its not at all even remotely true.

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Edward Kirk WrAdminterizer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 3,084 Thanks: 19 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts	Rumor: Apple Working On iPhone With Slide-Out Keyboard For Business Users? - July 1st, 2008, 06:01 PM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> According to The Register, Apple is considering creating an iPhone with a slide-out keyboard geared toward business users who don't like the idea of trying to type on a touch-sensitive screen. According to their sources, "whether or not [Steve Jobs] ever makes it work, he is already trying to make a 'slide-out' keyboard for a corporate version of the iPhone," and he has started showing prototypes of the device to operators in order to gauge demand for it. According to their report, the device would be geared primarily toward business users, and would be an attempt at Apple to grab market share from Blackberry. They don't make clear if the information came from Apple or a carrier, but we're guessing that it probably wasn't Apple. We're also guessing that, while I'm sure they would make a keyboard look wonderful, it would deviate from the iPhone's minimalist form factor, and that it's unlike them to target business users in that way. [via The Register] __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: iPhone 3G 16GB White iPhone Version: 3.0 Computer & OS: MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X 10.5.4 Twitter

steve101 iPA Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 75 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	July 1st, 2008, 07:16 PM #3
	i dont think so... if anything, the keyboard wont be a part of the iphone, at least an accessory. a physical keyboard attachment would seem like a 2002 Palm pilot idea. __________________ Phone:  iPhone 8g, 1.1.4 Jailbroken and Unlocked, T-Mobile USA Case: Griffin Elan Form Cork Case Computers: Macbook Air OS X 10.5.3, MacBook (Black) 10.5.3, IBM Windows 3.1

iphonefreak11 New Recruit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NO!! - July 1st, 2008, 07:27 PM #4
	One of the advantages of the on-screen keyboard is the fact that it can change languages and it is easy to change. With the slide-out keyboard business people who travel a lot won't be able to switch languages!

xxx Rocks the Board Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East Posts: 352 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	July 1st, 2008, 08:29 PM #6
	Gross. That is all I have to say. All we need is a longitudinal one like in the picture when texting, typing notes, etc. that would be helpful way more than a gross slide out one.

imagine engine Rocks the Board Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 184 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	July 1st, 2008, 11:59 PM #7
	I call B.S. on this one. I highly doubt Apple will offer a slide out keyboard to look like the failing competitors that are trying to imitate Apple's success with the iPhone. I really find the digital qwerty keyboard just as user friendly as a blackberry or Treo keyboard. __________________ SOHO: Maya, Mudbox, Toxik, FCS 3, iLife 09, iWork 09, Office, TC 1TB, iPhone 3G.