T9 support in iOS dialer

It is not going to happen. T9, which stands for Text on 9 keys, is a patented predictive text technology for mobile phones. I doubt Apple would waste time to develop their own format or pay for it.

http://www.nuance.com/for-business/by-product/t9/index.htm

Have you used the "slider" along the right side of the screen in the contact list? You slide your finger to a letter, and it takes you to that part of the address book, you can quickly position yourself to the top of the "T's" just by sliding your finger down to the "T" in the right column. I find myself hitting that column more often than I intend, and have to reposition myself back to where I was, but that's "user error" on my part. In this case, the term "fat finger" is very accurate (or more correctly not very accurate, so I often am tapping things I don't want).

There is a search bar at the top of the contacts list. That should help you find the desired contact quickly. The favorites list only displays numbers you have added as favorites. It should have everyone that you have added.

They currently offer a virtual keyboard that swaps between portrait and landscape mode and have done so since the first version of the iPhone. I think you'll struggle to come up with a compelling argument to persuade them to pay for an additional patent which covers an idea designed specifically for a button layout that doesn't support a full keyboard.

Out of curiosity, does the Blackberry with its full keyboard bother with T9 support?

i'd like a statement from apple why they don't use it, since it is a company where usability is one of the greatest features of their products. (i've sent a feedback)

I see - Apple must explain its decisions that are not in compliance with your desires and analysis. After all, what occurs to you is best by definition, of course.

Actually, Apple has a policy about this in place: Those who demand T9 support are compelled to seek it elsewhere, and don't slam the door on the way out. It's a policy that's helped achieve >100 million iPhone customers.

Message was edited by: modular747

i think this is a technology which every phone should have today.

I don't.

i'd like a statement from apple why they don't use it, since it is a company where usability is one of the greatest features of their products. (i've sent a feedback)

Hold your breath... I'm sure you'll get one right away.

You misunderstand me. The idea of predictive texting surely came about because typing words out with a numeric keypad was far from efficient. So my question was why would Apple, with their system for allowing a full keyboard in either rotation, licence a patent that was motivated by a button layout that the iPhone are not constricted by?

I get why manufacturers using a mechanical keypad would see licensing it as a necessary evil but if you expect input to always be via a full keyboard why increase the cost of each unit for something they (Apple) probably consider unnecessary.

On a more realistic note, of all the requests made to Apple for improvements to the iPhone, how seriously do you really think they will take this? don't forget to factor in how stubborn Apple can be. Be honest now :-P

I'd really welcome this function!

Tell Apple... http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Debating the issue here is pointless. It isn't going to change anything send your feedback to Apple. There are multiple apps in the App Store with "T9" and the reviews are mixed.

I think the issue is the adaptability of the OP. It seems that younger people who have spent years using T9 with their thumbs have a hard time adjusting to a real keyboard.