While it is true that most Android devices today no longer have physical keyboards, Google’s Director of Android User Experience, Matias Duarte, is hoping that the good old physical keyboard will continue to thrive. In an interview with ABC News, Duarte said that he still hopes that there will be Android phones with hardware keyboards.
“I am still a huge fan of hardware keyboards. Many of the products I have worked on in the past have had them. I think there is a place for them – it’s all about choice and different types of devices. I would love, personally, to have a portrait oriented device, like we made at Palm,” he said.
Meanwhile, Duarte added that he would love to work with RIM’s BlackBerry handsets saying, “If RIM wanted to work on Android devices, I would really welcome that. They clearly make great physical keyboards.” While the idea of an Android smartphone from RIM is interesting, the chances are as dark as the night. Earlier today, RIM announced that its Blackberry 10 phones will not be launching any time soon.