A note to our mobile phone manufacturers

Recently, scientific research suggested, that the human brain already adapted to the age of one thumbed SMS typing. Unfortunately, the evolution of our physiology is not as fast. I guess you counted on our anatomy following suit so that you wouldn’t have to worry about proper ergonomics. Regrettably though, a thumb is still more adapted to climbing trees and grabbing clubs. And mine aches after typing an SMS on my mobile phone. I just recently got myself a Nokia E60. A rather large mobile phone with comparably big keys. Still, the ergonomic problem remains, as you can see in the picture. In order to operate all buttons, I have to position the phone on my fingers, away from my palm and still have to bend my thumb considerably. In short: it is uncomfortable. Obviously typing ergonomics is not a priority for you guys, or is it? Increasing the size of the display seems to be. O.k. I love the display on the E60, I have to admit. But big displays tend to leave less space for the keypad. Furthermore, the big displays pushed the keypad right to the bottom of the phone, which makes my thumb bend even more. Also en vogue are smaller keys and even full QUERTZ/Y keypads, which introduce an element of chance when trying to hit the right key. I tested one of these phones and the tip of my thumb easily covered four keys. Here is my suggestion: please put the keypad on top of the display. The phone can rest in the palm of the hand and the thumb can operate much easier. It will not obstruct the display, even when hitting the lower part of the keypad. Garmin, a manufacturer of handheld GPS devices designs its gadgets like this for years. They are, of course, less bound by the parameters of fashion and coolness, I have to admit. The overall physiological problem remains, of course. At least until you finally invent the wireless brain interface … then we’ll probably have to worry more about degeneration of the whole body due to lack of workout.

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