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Originally Posted by BobR
I know what you mean about the one-handed nav being really nice. Before I got the Treo, I thought it was a waste to implement that. Now I'm upset every time an app doesn't fully support it because it's great!!! The way it rests in my hand it's very natural to use the d-pad instead of the touchscreen.
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Therein lies the crux.... remember the older Palm devices? The case was actually thicker on the left side because most people (so they thought at the time) are right-handed, and hold the Palm in their left hand.
You've got to be able to reconfigure the simpleness (a new word!) of the navigation interface for multiple users who may be right, left, or both-handed (as I am). Also, there are people who use these devices, but may be arthritic or have other hand impairments (MS, thalidymide sufferers, etc.) They can't be ignored (though they're admittedly a smaller market, but if you're going after phones too, those people still use phones).
Being able to switch the interface from a left-side thumbwheel to a center directional rocker or touchscreen only (no stylus or keyboard or thumbwheel) without losing function inside the applications themselves, is very important.
Duplicating the code is messy and sloppy there, but being able to set some classes where hardware inherits these behaviors and the applications inherit those behaviors, makes sense.
Case in point too... I was at my new chiropractor today getting interviewed and he asked if I was right or left-handed. I replied:
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Well, both... but I write with my right hand, mostly." and then he asked:
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Well, what hand do you use your computer mouse with?", and I said:
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Well, right... because all good mouses are made for right-handed users, unless you get an 'el-cheapo' mouse that can be used with both hands, but they're not comfortable to use. Any respectable, high-quality mouse is right-handed.. But I also use a Thinkpad, and my mouse is in the center of the keyboard, and I use whatever hand is closest to it at the time to use the mouse, so I guess both... but I play hockey lefty and I eat lefty, so I guess I switch around a lot"
(He marked me down as right handed).
Our industry is still very geared towards righties.. but maybe that'll change soon enough too.