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Americans heart clamshell phones

See into S60 - March 29th, 2006 - Written by schwarzm

I’m an American so I should be predisposed to love clamshell phones, but I don’t. I’m guessing that a lot more Americans would have S60 devices in their pockets if only the handset makers would design more *thin* clamshell phones. I’ve always wondered why my fellow Americans were so infatuated with the clamshells, I think I’ve figured it out…

Star Trek. All Americans grew up watching Star Trek. We all wanted to be Captain Kirk. All little Americans boys had (still have?) aspirations to travel around the galaxy, having romantic affairs with beautiful alien women battling the Klingons and saving the universe.

Remember the “mobile phones” they used on Star Trek? Weren’t they basically clamshell phones (always set to loudspeaker mode)? *THAT’S* why Americans love the clamshells so much, we all secretly want to be crew members on the USS Enterprise! Star Trek has been sending us subliminal messages to buy clamshell phones for decades now! Marketing geniuses. :-)

About the author schwarzm

  • Number of posts: 180

Comments(11)

  1. Shermozle wrote

    Erm, I think you’ll find the rest of the world also got Star Trek.

  2. Antony Pranata wrote

    Very interesting finding. I am not an American, so I was wondering why American loves clamshell phones so much. I myself would prefer having sliding phone (Nokia 7650 was my favorite phone).
    My friend found an undocumented feature of Nokia 7650. He can use the phone to open a bottle…. :))

  3. Dylan wrote

    Flip phones prevent unintended calls from being made. Americans can’t figure out how to lock the keys on non-flip phones. Well, maybe that’s a bit harsh, but in all seriousness every person I’ve asked with a flip “why did you get that phone” responded with that as an answer.

    There should be a little “lock keys” slider like on iPods to make that operation dead simple for candybar phones.

  4. Phil wrote

    Erm, I think you’ll find the rest of the world also got Star Trek.

    Hehe, yeah that’s true.

  5. Phil wrote

    There should be a little “lock keys” slider like on iPods to make that operation dead simple for candybar phones.

    Yah! That makes total sense. So why hasn’t Nokia done that?

  6. Jukka wrote

    Look on the N91, copied from iPod like Dylan mentioned :)

  7. Wendy wrote

    Actually, I want a clamshell because, as a woman, I have tons of crap in my bag…and my phone cover not only gets scratched but unintended calls get made b/c I hate having to lock my phone pad. So I’m assuming it is a gender thing…my desire is totally unrelated to Star Trek!

  8. Wendy wrote

    There should be a little “lock keys” slider like on iPods to make that operation dead simple for candybar phones.

    It is not just that it needs to be simple. I hate having to turn off the lock. Just annoying to me. Is that considered lazy? I know how to easily lock my phone (and yes, I’m American) but I don’t like locking my phone b/c then inconveniently i have to unclock it!

  9. akboom wrote

    The N91 lock key is in a very inconvenient position; you hold the phone to make a call, write an sms or do your stuff and you realise; eh! my keypad is locked. To unlock it you have to change the position of the device or use the second hand. The switch should have been near the thumb or the forefinger.

    The clamshell is the stupidest design for a mobile phone. On almost all devices it is too difficult to open it with one hand; you either have to use your second hand if possible or then use your mouth/lips/thigh/teeth, etc.

    The Slider design is ok but it makes the phone top heavy; difficult to type using the keypad and for euro teens heavy into txting it’s an invitation for RSI.

    Candybar is the best form factor.

    This is all IMHO; I’m not a design specialist.

    Boom

  10. Antti wrote

    My first introduction to clamshells was a couple of years ago upon joining the S60 team. Even though not a big fan of the clamshell form factor it does have a couple of advantages:

    1) Larger keypad
    The keypad tends to be larger than in candybars. Simply because when opening a clamshell phone, there is almost double the space for the display and the keypad.

    2) The “snap” of the cover
    Ending a call is much “cooler” by just closing the cover ;-). Pressing the red button just doesn’t have it.

    Just like Boom, this is all IMHO though. And I’d still go for the candybar. I don’t mind the screen getting scratches. Just as long as the phone works…

  11. A wrote

    I started out with a clamshell, and then for four more phone they were clamshells. I honestly liked them better. I wanted a S60 phone but a clamshell. When Samsung falked out on the D730, I jumped for the N70. Now that I have a candybar, it is more functional to me. Easier to quickly get things done. No flipping or anything. Although, I’m not opposed to going back to a clamshell, I think I’ll being doing the bar style.

    BTW, Star Trek or not, it’s funny that our “communicators” do more in the 21st centure than Star Trek’s did in the 23rd century. HAHA But I have to admit, mobile phones do have a certain Star Trek appeal to them; flip or no flip. :-)

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