While Palm may be working on a keyoard-less Treo, Research In Motion (RIM) has a patent application for a BlackBerry with a re-configurable keyboard. If the patent pans out, RIM will be pushing BlackBerries that can be configured for all sorts of different functions – like if you need a full keyboard, or maybe just a few control keys, or maybe you want to view photos or videos and want a full screen with no keys. The movable keyboard can slide into the device – getting out of the way when you don’t need the keyboard.
Apple’s take on full-screen use combines the touchscreen with a virtual on-screen keyboard. Now, RIM seems to be planning their own iPhone competitor with their own take on full-screen mobile phones. We actually like RIM’s idea of a tuck-away keyboard better than the un-proven iPhone touchscreen keyboard, but that bulky patent diagram worries us a bit. The only way to have a keyboard tuck into the body is to make the body thicker, and that’s something we couldn’t live with.
Still, it’s refreshing to see RIM start making some moves to battle the Apple iPhone – we’re all for it!
[Via: Unwired View]