Type, don’t look!

Just a quick tip for Windows Phone users regarding the onscreen keyboard. Most people I’ve talked to who complain about using an onscreen keyboard have a common issue. They are looking at what they type. This is their biggest mistake. When I first started using my Samsung Focus device I was getting a little frustrated with the results of my typing as well. I’d hit a wrong key then back up and fix it then hit another wrong key and back up and fix it too. Then I discovered the secret. Don’t look at what you are typing until you are done. This provided me two benefits: (1) I can look at the keyboard instead which helps while you are getting used to the size of a different keyboard and (2) I started to let the phone’s amazing keyboard do its thing.

Stop fighting it. Its really very smart.

Don’t try to out smart it. Blaze away at the keys as best as you can and then look up only when your sentence is finished. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how few corrections you have to make at this point… and you just might start to impress people with your newly found speed texting skills.

Comments

• Anonymous
  August 18, 2011
  I completely agree Ben, even tho I stilll can't get out of the bait of glancing up now and afai . I'm writing thus comment on my wp7 and I'm gonna post it without checking. Let's see how it goes :-)
• Anonymous
  August 18, 2011
  Hmmm habit not bait, again not afai, this not thusCould have been worse I guess!
• Anonymous
  August 18, 2011
  39 words with 3 mistakes to correct - including a couple of good sized words.The thing to think about is this -> How long does it to type quickly and correct those three vs looking up while typing and making more mistakes while correcting each one?Of course the coolest way to do it is via voice to text on Mango. Yesterday I tried (successfully) the words "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Antidisestablishmentarianism" :-)