The Invisible problem: why mobile text editing is worse than you think

https://jenson.org/text/

by scottjenson • 3 years ago

7 6 3 years ago

jenson.org

scottjenson2• 3 years ago

Describes the problems with mobile text editing, why it needs to be fixed, and a prototype of an potential solution.

bediger4000• 3 years ago

Text editing on a phone is so god damn fucking bad, I've contemplated ditching smartphones for flip phones.

I'm glad to see someone else acknowledge this. I get "ok boomer" responses, or people looking at me like I'm growing a second face on my ass. Reactions are even worse than when you mention how shitty Word is as a text editor or word processor.

scottjenson2• 3 years ago

I got that a lot as well, people claiming that kids were writing entire papers on their phone, therefore it must be fine. Just because some people can run a marathon, doesn't mean everyone does.

lispybanana2• 3 years ago

People make do with all sorts of things -- until someone invents the alternative!

lispybanana2• 3 years ago

Text editing is dismal, in general.

Structural editing in Lisps is a great convenience -- you manipulate expressions rather than characters.

Schemoid for Android is an admirable example.

Autocompletion based on my previous behaviors would be great, too: If I just googled “The Shining” in Android Chrome then open the Netflix app, Android should know to autofill the Netflix search bar with the completion (and select it, for easy deletion).

necovek• 3 years ago

Yeah, text editing on tiny screen keyboard sucks. I could never really make the transition myself, so I keep bringing my Thinkpads with me (guess why Thinkpads too :)).

As phones are so big these days they require two hands anyway, I reminiscence of Palm Pre/webOS hold-below-the-screen-and-swipe-left-and-right to select exactly the right spot quickly and precisely. I don't remember the rest of the gestures, but at least I don't remember it being as frustrating as Android.

Nokia N9 (Maemo/Meego) also had a few interesting things, as did Ubuntu Touch.

I applaud any research into this though I can't imagine how it will ever beat physical keyboards (other than mind-reading).

The Invisible problem: why mobile text editing is worse than you think

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