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Fat finger syndrome

(33 Posts)
gracesmum Sun 14-Jul-13 11:15:26

Since acquiring my Samsung Galaxy phone (trendy, eh?) I had hoped that my texting would prove less problematic. Predictive texting was always a no-no, but remembering how many times to tap the key for "u" or "v" could lead to some innovative spellings. So now I have my smart phone - only not that smart. I often find that I am touching the key next to the one I want - which I understand is know as "fat finger" . Recently texting DD on holiday in the Algarve, I meant to say "glad you are having fun" but if came out as " Glad you are having gin " - on reflection, probably not that far off the truth !! grin

henetha Sun 14-Jul-13 11:20:34

I'm on the verge of trying to decide whether to enter the modern world and swap my ancient mobile phone for a new smart-phone. But I do worry about the texting and 'fat finger'. Texting is my favourite thing on mobiles.
Is a smart phone going to ruin it for me???
Advice, please.

gracesmum Sun 14-Jul-13 11:32:00

Mine was a no-brainer. new contract at C***phone Wareh**se came in at HALF of what we had previously been paying for 2 phones on Orange, and free Samsung Galaxies as part of the deal.

whenim64 Sun 14-Jul-13 11:44:31

That's handy to know, Gracesmum. My son changed his phone there recently. They gave him a great deal, and paid his Vodaphone penalty for exiting the contract 5 months before it was due to end.

annodomini Sun 14-Jul-13 12:11:55

When my HTC smart phone ended its life in the washing machine, my son gave me his old Galaxy - need I say that he had got the very latest on? I just about understand it though there are some gaps. There's an app called Swiftkey which makes texting easier but tends to second-guess your intentions - needs disciplining.

gracesmum Sun 14-Jul-13 12:45:06

Nobody, but nobody second-guesses my intentions - even I can't!!!grin

Aka Sun 14-Jul-13 13:37:28

I din't hace any priblens woth fit fangers .

Ariadne Sun 14-Jul-13 14:29:52

Aka grin

ninathenana Sun 14-Jul-13 15:33:15

Couldn't be without mine now. Although DD did have to persuade me. I use it all the time for posting here and for google.
The problem with texting on it, is that if I type a slightly obscure word it will change it to what it thinks I mean. But it does spell check which is good.

shysal Sun 14-Jul-13 16:11:28

When setting up a new touch screen phone for DD1, I discovered than turning the screen on it's side gives a wider keypad, less likely to cause problems. I managed it ok.
Having said that, I make typos all the time on my Samsung tablet, it is very annoying! going slower helps, but I am not a patient person!

gracesmum Sun 14-Jul-13 16:44:33

[gin] aka oops, did I mean grin? Maybe - maybe not!

feetlebaum Sun 14-Jul-13 16:57:22

Is it not possible to turn off the auto-completion on these tablets?

If you do have fat fingers, my advice would be... don't take up the piccolo...

Ana Sun 14-Jul-13 20:46:52

You can turn off predictive text on all these devices - it's just a matter of finding out how. I'd suggest Googling...

j08 Sun 14-Jul-13 20:59:21

You are right Ana! I googled it and I have now turned off the awful "guess the next word" thing on kindle fire. I didn' t know you could do that! And it was easy.

(Thank you!)

Ana Sun 14-Jul-13 21:00:56

smile

glassortwo Sun 14-Jul-13 21:03:36

I have sent some really random texts, but it keeps the family on their toes trying to keep up with me wink

Hunt Sun 14-Jul-13 23:07:31

My DH and I use a redundant pencil with a rubber on the end to type our txts; entirely eliminates 'fat finger' Also a phone with a qwerty keyboard ( which appears when you turn the phone sideways) means you only have to tap each letter once.

henetha Wed 17-Jul-13 10:43:11

That's handy info, Hunt. I didn't realise you could use any sort of device when texting, as I, (in my ignorance) thought the heat from our flesh was necessary to make phone screens work. How stupid am I ?
This could be the deciding point.... I shall move forward now into the world of smart phones! (probably!)

muswellblue Thu 18-Jul-13 16:12:06

I have had exactly the same experience. Really wanted a smart phone but hate the virtual keyboard on my Samsung Ace. Should have got a Blackberry with a real qwerty keyboard.. Suspect my fingers would still be too big. I notice kids text with their thumbs mostly. How does that work??.

mrsmopp Thu 18-Jul-13 16:39:57

They must all have very thin thumbs!

GinnyTonic Thu 18-Jul-13 18:51:12

Oh the joys of predictive text . Spill chucker is sometimes hilarious. When OH was in hospital over Christmas, he sent a text to say his brother had smuggled in some goodies and "I am warming the WIND in the bed". I intended to send a text about a ladies golf competition and pressed send before I realised they were consensual lads, not competing ladies. grin

Pittcity Thu 18-Jul-13 20:31:25

I use Swype on my Galaxy. You just move your fingers to each letter without lifting them. It gives you a list of words it thinks you are writing to choose from and remembers names and words you use a lot. I love it and don't think I could go back to tapping with my fat fingers.

Ariadne Thu 18-Jul-13 20:35:57

Hunt my smallest DGD (just 3 now) called the stylus a "sword" because he didn't know the right word. (Oh dear, I have posted this before...)

Hunt Fri 19-Jul-13 09:02:33

I like that, Ariadne, 'sword' it shall be from now on!

GrumpyOldMan Tue 23-Jul-13 21:33:15

Why on earth would you want a "smartphone"!!!
My other half uses a standard phone with BIG keys. No problem at all.
Of course I would not use a mobile other than to save a life! And to give out my wifes mobile number is a big big no no!!! It's bad enough having to give out our landline number for some things.