Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

Collection bin for comments about the d-pad for future internet tablets. I'd like everyone who plays games to vote, and if you voted 'don't like' to leave a brief comment.

(edit) Non-gaming comments certainly welcome here, but if you vote, please vote in the gaming context. A vote about the dpad in general would be in a different forum section, and would get a different set of responses and would serve a different purpose.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

It works fine for the games I play on it now. If they were to add dedicated game buttons a new one would be nice.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

Overall it works okay. It doesn't give me enough feedback when I'm using it, and it bothers me it's not on the right side. However, most of the keypad doesn't give enough feedback -- so this is just a continuance. I do however find it odd it's not on the right side, like most keyboards.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I find the Zaurus C-1000/3x00 d-pad preferable to the N800 d-pad. On the n800, it's difficult to avoid pressing the center button when moving between two directions. Also, it's difficult for me to press with the pad of my thumb, forcing me to resort to using my fingernail. Diagonals are difficult as well. Also, it seems to have some issue with auto-repeating, even on short key presses. I'm not sure if this is hardware or software. Really, I find it sub-optimal for almost all uses, not just games. Now that Sharp discontinued the Zaurus, I recommend Nokia should pick up a second-hand C1000 and rip-off the d-pad design wholesale. :D (Slightly kidding in that last bit, but it would be a big improvement.)

Some suggestions to Nokia:
+ shaped or o shaped d-pad instead of square.
Recess the center button slightly so that it is even with the direction buttons, or even deeper.
Reduce effort to press, while also giving more tactile feedback.

-John

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

My main problem using the D-Pad for games (and anything else for that matter) is the fact that on the N810 the D-pad is found on the slide-out keyboard and using "Up" is very difficult because there's not enough space between the bottom of the top part that slides up and the D-pad itself. My fingers aren't even big (I'm a woman) and I still have a hard time - don't know how you guys manage.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I think the dpad has gone downhill with every version, but it's not that great to begin with. I second most of what Johnx said and would like to see few more buttons on both sides of the tablet. Maybe sliding gaming controls from both sides would do the trick :)

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I'm working on my own little fix for this I got the idea from this. http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/06/s...shift-gamepad/ but mine is going to split the d pad to left and game buttons to right. The one I"m building the N810 kinda sits on top of the device. so the whole unit be be about 1.5 inches thick.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

The directional pad is simply horrible for games. Not enough tactile feedback, uncomfortable to use, very uncomfortable to keep a direction down, difficult to hit diagonals, center button in the way

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I dislike the dpad on my N800 since it only goes 4 directions in games and the center button is too easy to press accidently. I would prefer something more like what is on my Tapwave Zodiac. Heck I would like the entire button layout of my N800 to be exactly like the Zodiac. It's perfect for most games.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

yes yeah i like THe DPAD on My N800

i am playing PC games .........:o

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

That looks to be the best one yet, also of note but not necessarily helpful for a game particularly is the little trackball style now used on BlackBerry Pearls, that thing is awesome.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I don't mind the D-Pad on the N800 but it is a bit stiff. I think the best thing for gaming would be a tactile mini joystick (like on the PSP). You would get the advantage of a D-Pad and joystick together, plus you could press down on it for the button.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...m_%26_lite.png
The knob in the bottom left corner.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

A small excerpt from my review of the N800.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

my only problem with the dpad is when it goes nuts repeating the direction I just pressed. I have to push the opposite direction to stop it. It only happens once in a while.

I'm not a big gamer though.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I have a N810 and a N800.

On the N810 the dpad is very difficult to navigate with - the short side scrolls presses are too think for using thumbs or fingers - have to use fingernails (and I am a thin guy with not too thick stubs of fingers either).

The N800 dpad on the other had is much better - firstly - better tactile feedback
and secondly the raised elemnts on the dpad allow you to "feel" the left and right presses without looking at it.

On the N810 the rectangular side press area and the middle button on th dbad are all nearly flush and hence cant make out the difference much by feel alone.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

n800 only:
It's much too "clicky" if that makes sense...when you press it all the way down, it clicks. I'd rather have some kind of softer feeling when pressed. Also, it slides around way too much. I have to put my fingernail on one side and slide it back to the right every once in a while.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

All comments apply to the N800 only...

I find it difficult to control the d-pad and center-click separately; the d-pad should be higher than the button, not lower, and it doesn't work all that much better holding down the center button and rocking the whole thing, even when the center is not used. (It gives me a sore thumb, too, after an hour or so of Tyrian...)

I actually think we'd do quite well with one of those little nublets they use on some digital cameras. I searched around on google images for 20 minutes, but can't find the sort I'm thinking of, and don't know what sort of camera it was, but way pleasing feel; with a bit of modification to support 8-way (and "rolling it" from one direction to another, just like an old C128 stick I remember...), it could be a great fit; even in the limited space on an N810-like design. (It stood out as a marked contrast to the nubs on a SE k810 and Rio Karma; the former was a pain, imho, and the latter was nice as a jog input, but not suitable for gaming. The more so since it was on a camera, where it was used only for jogging, and where such UI elements (not used while snapping pictures) are often bad.)

The zoom/fullscreen buttons on the N800 are OK, but a little small and continuous-feeling for gaming. (They don't bother me for much else...) Placement is right there, though!

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

N800 here.

I have to say, the DPad ranks among some of the worst i have used on a mobile device. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a great big button in the middle of it, which really tends to get in the way.

In addition, since the whole DPad is essentially one piece of plastic, i don't get any feedback as to which direction i am moving. Sadly not even the painted on markers help either.

I'd also like to add that the DPad going nuts and repeating the last direction issue adds to the frustration.

So to conclude, i would say that it is quite simply abysmal and ideally shouldn't have been put on the device in the first place.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

More - kinda - tactile feedback would enhance it's use extremely. And on my device the down direction is more sensitive than the other directions. Sometimes it stucks and then you're scrolling all the way down... down... down... :D

But anyways better than a Joystick. What about optical sensor, known from the Everun?

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

It's a shame there is no analog control on the tablets, besides the touchscreen. Scrolling web pages with the D-pad is pretty lame and I find using the touchscreen tiresome for long surfing sessions.

I would like to see an analog rubber nub (like on IBM Thinkpads) on the front face of the device, with optional mouse cursor support. Also, rubber scroll wheel on the top left edge, or why not both edges...

All kinds of games would also benefit from these extra controls.

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

Analog joystick, we need it. :)

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I'd love a joystick like the PSP or the zodiac for games.

And I've mentioned this before but for the webpage scrolling thing, I'd REALLY love a blackberry-style scrollwheel on the side of the screen!

On the Dpad:

On the N810 the center button is too large and the directional keys are FAR too small and offer too little tactile feedback to really enjoy a fast moving game. I'd much prefer a + style gamepad, (maybe in the Gameboy style?) with pressure sensitivity or a joystick similar to the PSP's

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

I'm pretty sure gaming was not intended as a significant use of the device... unfortunately. Maybe a later iteration...

Re: Poll: what do you think of the DPAD (directional pad)?
 

Hmmm this is a very good point... The zodiac on the other hand, IIRC was intended specifically as a gaming device.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean we can't dream about/request better gaming hardware. I know I use my N810 for games all the time and I would be using it a lot more if I had a good joystick or a decent d-pad