iphone keyboard improvement

iPhone keyboard concept:

I have come to love the touch-screen keyboard of the iphone and find I can type pretty damn fast on it with two thumbs, blackberry style.  But the problem is that it severely underutilizes the power of the touch screen.  The power of the touch screen is the ability to dynamically change the layout dynamically.  So why wouldn’t that apply to the keyboard?  Why is the iPhone simply mimicking the blackberry layout when keyboard input could be done so much more efficiently if dynamic layouts were implemented?

I don’t know. But here’s my concept for how the keyboard SHOULD work.

The problem: A static QWERTY keyboard layout that is a pain to use if you have large fingers. It is cramped into portrait mode.  Auto-text does a very good job of correcting mistakes, but we shouldn’t have to struggle much to hit the right keys.  I have gotten to the point where I mostly estimate where the correct key is and tap the general area and rely almost entirely on the words to get corrected.

The solution: the keyboard layout should allow me to hit the general area of the key and have it type the right key.  The only way to do this, is to SHRINK the less useful keys and EXPAND the more useful keys.

Currently, each key holds an equal amount of weight, no matter what you type.  You’ll see why this is stupid in a few simple examples:

1)      If I type the letters “HEL” very quickly there are only a few possible options for what letters can follow, and which letters absolutely cannot follow.  So letters like “QWYC” would all shrink down to smaller sizes and stack along the side of the keybarod while the more likely letters “PLM” etc would increase in size, filling in the space.

2)      Type the letter “Q” and you immediately see why this would be useful.  “Q” has almost NO letters that follow it.  Only “U” and maybe “W” work (if you were typing “QWEST” diagnostics).

3)      What about “TH” – this is followed by “WERYUIOA” – far fewer than the full 26 letters.

Well, doesn’t the auto-correct text already figure this stuff out?  No, not even close.  First, above all, the mechanism of simply inputting text should be improved so you don’t rely too heavily on corrections.  (The postings this week on how to fix the “ducking” problem should serve as a testament to why keyboard improvements are necessary and corrections should be scaled back.)

Second, this concept would augment the auto-correct feature by improving the ease of typing words.

The implementation of this would work like the following:

1)      Just like auto-correct, the iphone would be preloaded with a dictionary file.

2)      Upon the start of a new word, an inline query would run after each letter and provide a list of the next letter options – the keyboard layout would dynamically update.  It will look like the same keyboard, but with all the unlikely letters missing and the likely letters much larger to take up wider spaces, maybe even expanded into non-square shapes, such as a cross (if, for example, the letter “D” were likely, but its neighbors “S F and X” were not – it would expand into their vicinity.

3)      Each letter typed would trigger this rapid query to find the list of possible next letters based on what has been typed of the word thus far.

 

Example:

“T”

Likely:
ERYUIO
ASH
Z

“H”

Likely:
ERYUIO
A

“E”

Likely:
RY
ASF
VNM

“Y”

Likely:

‘

And so on…

Body Builders on Craigslist

Maddy and I have a 200lb Sony WEGA pre-flat panel 36" TV in our apartment. It has been great for watching movies, and only cost $160 to obtain (free from a friend + mover's fee), but its dimensions are just a bit too large for the apartment. It takes up about 15 square feet of space (3ft x 5ft) and I want to upgrade to a projector, which will be easy to move when the time comes.

I've listed this thing on craigslist several times over the last few months but recently I posted it for a mere $125 (it was originally $2700 and other sellers want about $400-500 for it) in the hopes that someone somewhere would take it off our hands. The catch: we are in a 5th floor walkup with no elevator. With that in mind, I haven't been great on selling it since everyone who responds on craigslist gets the same sort of response from me: unless you and 2 friends look like Arnold Schwartzenegger, you will not be able to move this and should hire movers.

A Columbia student came over yesterday to see and hopefully buy it. He and a friend walked into the apartment. They were both scrawny little guys. I said "Look, no offense, there's no way you're moving this." He said "oh, but I have 2 other friends coming."

An even skinnier asian kid came through the door followed by another skinny Indian kid. I had my doubts. They tried lifting it for a few seconds and realized I wasn't joking in the several emails where I specified it weighed 200lbs and was big and heavy. They then took a minute to assess the situation. Was it worth the effort? Could they even move it? THey'd only be using it for a year before they graduate anyway. Hiring movers would nearly double the cost and that wasn't worth it. I asked them how much they valued their spines and backs - that perhaps $150 wasn't that much. The Indian guy said "I can think of 5 reasons why we shouldn't take this TV." I concurred and warned "if you do decide to, and drop it, you'll have to pay for it." So they left and apologized for taking up our time.

The last thing I want is to have 4 college students halfway down my stairs with a gigantic TV pinning one of them down after crushing the head and spines of the others. There's the potential for casualties and lawsuits, not just a scratched TV. I knew this would be a hard sell even though I had a dozen responses via email.

One of the emails I got was from a father. He said he and his son really wanted the TV and that they'd come and pick it up. I said "unless you and your son are incredibly muscular and can easily lift 150+ lbs, you will not be able to get this out the door."

Today I got a call from the son. He said he wanted to come today with his father to get the TV. I said great, and asked "are you strong?" Amazingly, he said "yes, my father and I both work out. We can lift 250lbs each." I love craigslist. We'll see if it works out tonight.

Colbert shook my hand!

And I haven't washed it since last Thursday. Wanna touch it?

A friend of mine who is a PA on the Colbert Report hooked us up with tickets for Thursday's show. We were in the 'standing room' part, which basically meant we had to sit down behind the audience when Colbert runs into the studio and at the end when he runs out. But that meant he passed us each time, and I guess it's his routine to shake everyone's hand who is in 'standing room' (as I think we were all special guests of someone working on the show and we've got a little bit of VIP in us). Also, we didn't wait in the heat on a long line outside for 2 hours... we just showed up at 6, went to the office entrance and waited in the Colbert office til we were escorted into the show. Interestingly, when we arrived, I noticed the TV overhead was playing the Colbert Report but seeing how I've seen EVERY episode since the writer's strike, I realized I didn't recognize this one. I said to Maddy "DON'T WATCH! I think it's a rehearsal" which the receptionist confirmed. Anyway, the show was hilarious, and even the opening comic, Pete Dominick, who was on for a full 45 minutes, was absolutely hilarious!

You can see our tiny heads in the corridor between the audience.

Engagement!

It’s official. Maddy and Jeff are engaged!

The story begins a few weeks ago when I first purchased the ring and stashed it behind my computer – a spot Maddy would never look (though she admitted to peeking into a few desk drawers to see if I was careless). Upon the advice of my friend Greg, a married man who was in my shoes about a year and half ago, I decided to pop the question in Fort Tryon Park, a gorgeous 67-acre ridge overlooking the George Washington Bridge and the Hudson that leads up to The Cloisters, a MET-operated museum of 16th century tapestries.

On Thursday I took the A train to 190th st and scouted a location. I walked the perimeter of the park, taking mental notes of enclaves that had benches and a clear view of the water. I was ready. I mentioned nonchalantly to Maddy that on Sunday neither of us had any plans and that perhaps we should check out this park because we are checking out apartments in the neighborhood and who doesn’t love medieval textiles?

I woke up Sunday morning knowing it would be the longest day of my life. My plan was to go for a jog with Maddy in the morning, get up to the park by noon, pop the question and then spend the rest of the day touring a few places that hold a lot of meaning to our relationship. I thought we’d visit the Yale Club (where we met at speed dating!) and the steps of the MET where, on one of our first few dates, I realized I found the girl of my dreams.

Maddy had other plans. We were up at 9 and jogging by about 9:30 but Maddy was talking about all the plans she had for the rest of the day: eggs over easy for breakfast, Trader Joe’s in the afternoon, apartment open houses in Washington Heights. I quietly agreed to everything. “Ah yes, Trader Joe’s would be great. Should you cook the tuna steak or tofu tacos for dinner? Hmm, either one is fine. There’s an apartment at 170th and Broadway for $280,000? Wonderful, let’s check it out!” And on and on while the whole time I’m thinking “this will all be over soon.”

We get back from running and Maddy makes breakfast while I eye the clock and pray it stops for a few hours so we’ll still have time to get the most from the day. Finally, Maddy was ready to go by about 12:30. I grabbed my murse (man+purse) that had the ring and some issues of Time Out. It was game time.

Of course the MTA had to suck that day and the A train made its last stop at 168th street where shuttle buses took us to the end of the line. Finally, we arrive at the park entrance and I pretend I’ve never set foot there before and try to guide Maddy to the hot spots. The first spot already had people standing around and a woman with two adorable dogs. We pet them. The time was not right. That’s fine, I thought, we’ll walk around a bit and when things are perfect, I’ll do it.

Things didn’t get perfect. Despite the MTA train issues, there were a lot of people in the park and a lot of foot traffic, even in more isolated paths. We walked on. Problem was, the further into seclusion we strolled, the more it smelled like urine and the less pristine the park became. We noticed a condom on the side of the walking path. “Well,” I smiled, “at least he used a condom, right?” We stumbled upon a set of benches that seemed nice and private but upon closer inspection, were littered with garbage, empty food containers and, ahem, a used personal lubricant package. Ugh! So we moved on and found a different set of benches. They were cleaner, kind of. I thought we might be getting somewhere. We sat down and I suggested we look through the Buenos Aires tour book to see what activities we could do. Meanwhile, as Maddy yapped and read the descriptions (one of a horseback riding adventure – I said absolutely not, we’ll break our necks like Christopher Reeve), I peered around, eyeing our flank and anticipating foot traffic.

There were people sitting next to us. They left, only to be replaced by some other people a minute later. Then a Parks pickup truck drove through. Then a group of children. Then I noticed that the ground was actually pretty dirty, with shards of broken glass in the soil at our feet. No way I’m kneeling in that, I thought. And that’s when two women sat next to us. One was missing an arm.

The main goal was to do this in a memorable, beautiful location, with few people around. As my heart thumped I realized this was like a first kiss, only a thousand times more nerve-wracking. Each minute that passed was one less minute I had to spare. I thought about how I first kissed Maddy. Oh yes, I was DRUNK! That was the only way I had the courage on that wonderful first night after the Yale Speed Dating event! I smacked myself for not taking a few shots before we left the apartment.

Time ticked on but the moment didn’t present itself. Maddy got bored and we walked onward. By this time, Maddy was pulling her typical routine: getting thirsty and hungry and antsy. She wanted pink lemonade iced tea and a snack. But she wanted to see some tapestries first. Once we leave the park, I reasoned, that’s it, there’s no coming back. “Let’s go to the museum,” she said and we walked up the hill. This would be my final chance. I peered back at the vista of the Hudson River and the green grass and paved walkways and stone fences… all of the possibilities, dashed out. I’m screwed, I thought.

I hadn’t been inside the Cloisters since a class trip in high school so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were greeted by a moderate crowd of patrons. Just what I needed! More people to get in the way. We wandered around for a few minutes and I knew, based on the time we typically spend in museums (like the MET’s Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy special exhibition which we walked through in about 90 seconds flat), I had only a few minutes more to pull the trigger.

We came upon a glorious courtyard garden and I knew this was where it had to be. We strolled along the four edges and just as we were about to make our way back into the main museum, I said we should sit down a minute and hang out. That’s when I noticed no one was within earshot. I reached into my satchel and produced the blue velvet box and got down on one knee and… promptly started to well up. I blubbered: “Maddy, will you make me the happiest guy in the world for the rest of my life? Will you marry me?”

A bit of context: Normal people have nightmares about clowns or falling off roofs. Maddy has nightmares about getting an ugly engagement ring! She would wake up and say “oh my god, I had the worst dream about a ring with red stones…” So it was a relief she adored the setting and the sparkly 1.5 c Moissanite. Maddy loved the ring, except that it was a tad too small (it fit, but needed to be stretched by maybe .3mm).

The rest of the day was spent calling and texting family and friends, going home to get dressed for the night and looking at the ring and smiling uncontrollably. We didn’t have the time to hit our M&J hot spots so we just headed straight down to Tailor on Broome Street (C to Spring) for a few unique cocktails and a tasting of ‘solids’ – weird cubes of liquor-infused items like the Russian Rice Krispies shot and a cube of marshmallow something or other. Time Out wrote about this place last week. It was overrated and overpriced but not bad. We also happened to be the ONLY people there.

Then on to the achingly romantic West Village restaurant, One if by Land, Two if by Sea. I had made the reservation on Friday and said it was for our engagement and they had obviously taken note. When we walked in, past the pianist in the front, I said “table for two under Novich” and the hostess looked at her screen, looked at me, then turned to Maddy and said “let me see your hand.” She congratulated us, and escorted us to a table facing a lovely outdoor courtyard (yes, in the Village).

I could not understand about half the words on the prix fixe menu but our server was very helpful and explained what everything was. I said “why don’t they just put a word next to each item like ‘pasta’, ‘raw meat’, ‘mushrooms with dressing’, so poor suckers like me can understand what’s going on.” She said “I think the chefs get kinda bored over the years so they feel the need to use new words to describe simple things, like ‘sauce’.” Haha.

I felt like we were on Iron Chef and actually got to EAT the painstakingly prepared food. I got the porcini salad and their signature beef wellington (a steak inside a pastry, on the menu for 36 years). Maddy got the scallops and a chicken breast. Deserts were a peach dish and a chocolate soufflé. The courses were hands down the best *original* meal I’ve ever had. There were so many delicious flavors I hadn’t tasted before and every little bit of the meal was exquisite. It was apparent there was an incredible amount of care taken in the preparation of everything we consumed. Even the wines were great and wine mostly tastes the same to me.

We wrapped up about 3 hours later and headed back home where we went to a recently opened bar (Dive Bar - 106 st and Amsterdam) to meet up with a few friends. Maddy showed off her new ring and the bartender got us a round of shots.

Now onto the engagement party and a wedding…

Introduction

Most people spend their whole lives searching for their other half; that person that will be the co-author to the wild stories created during their brief existence on this lonely planet.

We were lucky to find each other at the young age of 23 (Maddy) and 26 (Jeff). During the last few years of our partnership, we have traveled the globe (Spain, Germany, France, China, Thailand, Philippines, Poland, and soon to come Argentina and Uruguay), lived in China, made friends all over, explored New York City, dined at fancy and grubby restaurants, listened to obscure bands, attended crazy parties and have learned to generally enjoy life to its fullest.

We invite you to stay tuned to our fun and exciting stories.

The picture is when we were sitting at the base of a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

We do so much that we felt the need to keep track of it all and share it with whoever would be interested in reading our blog.

Enjoy!

M and J