I find that the side buttons are placed perfectly for the way I hold the K3.. with the lighted cover folded over and supported by my left hand. My left thumb rests in the perfect spot to page back and my right thumb is in the perfect place to page forward.
I've had multiple touchscreen phones... and generally find them frustrating to use on those occasions when you have to hit the blasted icon multiple times for it to register. I don't have that problem with buttons. Put me down as a keyboard fan.
