S60 Open to new features

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

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.... :))

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.

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

Hehe, yeah that's true.

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?

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

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!

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!

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

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...

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. :-)