The TG needs a status bar

[rldunn]

I went and played around with the TG again today at lunch. And I decided that if it had a status bar like on the NX, I would probably have gotten it. A status bar adds very little to the screen size, so it should have minimal effect on form factor. And it would provide a place to tap to get the 4 silkscreen buttons from the VG area that are missing, so you wouldn't have to deal with the keyboard buttons for those (or nothing, in the case of the Calc button). It allows one-tap access to changing sound settings and has a clock displaying in every app. And finally, it provides a great place to launch hack-like apps from, such as McPhling. Hopefully, future keyboard-only devices with square screens will add this feature!!

[s_n_m]

It would make it slightly more complicated. It would be in bad taste to add more features to a model where the idea is to be simple (that's why I bought the TG instead of the NX, simplicity).

Just make it simple. The ctrl-key combos give users enough power as it is.

[rldunn]

Hmm, that's interesting to hear you say that. But I'm not sure what's NOT simple about the status bar. Maybe you haven't seen one. It has 3 silkscreen buttons (Home, Menu, Find), battery status, memory stick, sound, and clock. I agree about not making things more complicated, but I don't think this would. Maybe that's just me, though.

[rldunn]

Also, can you either tell me or point me in the right direction to find out about all the ctrl-key combos? I can't seem to find out specifically what can be done with them anywhere online, and I also tried a search of this forum. Thanks.

[rldunn]

Never mind, found it here

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7291&highlight=keyboard+shortcuts

[quiller]

wow, a triple-post from a mod :) impressive

it would defeat the purpose of the TG50 to add the status bar-- the status bar is part of virtual graffiti, which is something that's been (sometimes violently) called for since the TG50 was announced. i agree that the hard buttons function well enough, no reason to take up more of the already "small" screen, is there?

[rldunn]

Originally posted by quiller wow, a triple-post from a mod :) impressive:) Yeah, you would think I would know how to use the Edit feature :rolleyes: Sorry about that, I was in a hurry.

it would defeat the purpose of the TG50 to add the status bar-- the status bar is part of virtual graffiti, which is something that's been (sometimes violently) called for since the TG50 was announced. i agree that the hard buttons function well enough, no reason to take up more of the already "small" screen, is there? [/B]Let me clarify this. I wouldn't suggest taking anything away from the already small screen. I'm just suggesting making the screen 320x350 (since the status bar on the NR, NX, and NZ is 30 pixels high). I was staring at the TG to see how this would work, and it looks like there's enough room to extend the screen down another 30 pixels and still not interfere with the top row of buttons. I just think adding this would be a great compromise and would make people miss the Graffiti area less, and you wouldn't believe how much functionality it provides. I've been using the NR and NX for the past 9 months and over 75% of the time, I'm using an app that is high-res+, so usually the status bar is the only graffiti part available, and this is a great setup!! I think it would be equivalent on the TG.

[wilsonch_98]

It would be nice to have it that way...but i doubt the possibility...as this would make TG-50 yet another different line of product (ie. new hardward to support 320x350), defeating it being a T-series siblings

[froesei]

I realize this is a pretty old thread, but thought I'd revive it. I completely agree with rldunn. Anyone know if there's an add-on out there that could do this? Seems to me it could be made as a separate app.

I think it would be very popular, if any developer is listening.

[Jayman]

I use Today 2.1 --- I just set up the quick launch to have all the items that I would like... That way I can just hit the Datebook button, and off I go....

[Athradon]

Think of how the T|T3 has its status bar available always, even in compact mode. Home and menu links, BT status, time, card status, battery level, and graffiti area button all available 100% of the time. There would be no need for software changes because the 320x30 status bar area would remain constant. The TG50 would make a lot more sense from a usability standpoint if it included a status bar.

[sweli]

I was reading another posting about entering numbers easier with thumboard, and came accross this. Not exactly what you were wanting, but along those lines anyway.
Check out this site
http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~imazeki/palm/KEYq/index-e.html
Pics part way down that show side bar with icons? But you have to push a sequence of keys? (to see it??)

Anyone have Quickkey (full version)?