I tried using Astro Slide 5g, which is convenient and fun with slide keyboard (Dr. Yamane)

Planet Computers (Planet Computers) 5G smartphone "ASTRO SLIDE 5G", and campaigns are currently being held at Makuake in Japan (until December 4, 2021).Astro Slide 5G is a recent smartphone -equipped device equipped with a rare QWERTY keyboard, and it can be said that it is a product suitable for people who use a lot of characters input, such as business use, writers, bloggers, etc.

Astro Slide 5G's quick review has already been published in the Japanese version of the Engajet, and I wanted to touch it as soon as I have been using a terminal with a keyboard for many years, but I didn't have any chance.

I was able to touch the actual machine just in November, so I tried to use it down carefully.There is no doubt that the gimmick that slides the body is fun, and the keyboard of the Japanese sequence QWERTY keyboard is good, and it is definitely an interesting product for those who like keyboard terminals.In addition, since the model you test this time is a beta version before it becomes a product, the appearance may change slightly from the product version.

Astro slide 5g display is 6.39 inches.It is a general size for recent smartphones.The vertical and horizontal size is 172.4x76.5mm and one hand can have enough.

The chipset is a middle range class because it is a media tech Dimensity 800.If you do not use a hard app, it will perform enough performance.

To have a slide -type QWERTY keyboard, the thickness of the main unit is about twice as much as a general smartphone..8mm.The weight is 300g.However, when I actually took it, I personally felt that it would be acceptable to consider it as an ultra -small terminal with a keyboard, not a smartphone, but a keyboard.Since the body color is blue instead of black, there is no profound appearance and there is a casual image.

When using the keyboard, turn the body sideways.Then, the home screen turns 90 degrees, so you can use it as it is in this direction.Slide the lower end of the left and right left and right with your thumb to see the keyboard.

At this time, if you try to slide with one hand, the display will move only one side.The keyboard has not been slide slidly like "W-ZERO3", which was released in the past in Japan.The Rochup slider hinge mechanism combines not only "slides" but also "hinge that launches a display", and the slide rail part is far from the back left and right.Therefore, it is necessary to use both hands to slide the left and right at the same speed.

When you slide, the QWERTY keyboard appears.You will want to touch typing with your fingertips quickly, but push the keyboard up to a slightly stronger body while suppressing that feeling.At this time, the point is to push up to a little gap between the display and the keyboard.

When the Rochup slider hinge mechanism is completely slid, the hinge appears like this, and this time the display part can be launched.This design is by Martin Lydiford, a designer of Planet Computers.He is good at such a slightly elaborate gimmick.There is enough strength, but if you look at it, you will see that it is better to slide without applying unreasonable power.

When you open it completely, launch the display and hit it to the upper side of the keyboard, it will be a QWERTY keyboard style.A large and solid keyboard appears, enabling comfortable typing.

First, put it on the desk and typing.Because the main unit on the keyboard side is heavy, the body does not tilt back even if you release your fingertips.The keyboard is a notebook PC style.Some devices with this shape have been commercialized by other companies, but ASTRO Slide 5G can typing like a laptop using index finger and middle finger.

By the way, Planet Computers products have the biggest feature of the practicality that can be touch typing even with past models (GEMINI PDA, Cosmo Communicator).

The slope when the body tilts is not so tight, and it is easy to see when inputting characters.This angle is fixed.On the other hand, when a video meeting with a front camera, you need to look into it a little from above.However, is it convenient to be able to do video conferences and chats without a tripod?

The thumb input with the body is also comfortable.Although the key is pushed, there is a wobble left and right, but the key stroke is deeper in this size.You can push it firmly."If you touch it a little, the text has been entered."Also, compared to the past model GEMINI PDA and COSMO Communicator, I feel that the return after pressing the key is somewhat stronger.

In any case, it is designed to be a smartphone that can use keyboards, not the keyboard that is fluffy, so you will not have to worry too much about the pressing of the key.

The switch between Japanese input and English input is "Ctrl + Space".When inputting, some kana is a combination with the FN key or Shift key.In addition, when inputting English (Roman letters), some symbols need to be used, such as the combination of "SHIFT + Ne" often used.

The main unit also contains some proprietary apps for Planet Computers."Note" is a card -type memo, which is actually the roots of Planet Computers, which revived the applications installed in the PDA "PSION" that appeared in the 1990s.There is an application that allows you to efficiently record notes and memorandums on terminals that are comfortable input on the keyboard.

My work is mainly for long sentence input, because it is mainly character input.For that reason, I usually carry a laptop PC, but when I go to a nearby convenience store, I go out with a smartphone alone.However, only in such a case, an emergency email of manuscript correction will come.Also, on a crowded train, it may be difficult to get a laptop even if you are sitting on a chair.

If you have a short text, you will not have to worry about the smartphone software keyboard, but if you want to write thousands of characters, the Qwerty keyboard is also convenient.Conversely, Astro Slide 5G may be a product that does not come out if you do not input too much.

When I actually wanted to write a manuscript on the train, I took out ASTRO SLIDE 5G while standing and wrote 2,000 characters using the keyboard.This is a great advantage of Astro Slide 5G, even though it is a smartphone optimized for character input, even if the keyboard is closed, it can be used in a normal style.

At present, there are few options for smartphones with keyboards.Among the few products, Astro Slide 5G has a compromise keyboard, and I felt that it was highly practical.If you are interested, please check the details on the Makuake campaign page.

・ Makuake Campaign: 5g smartphone "ASTRO SLIDE" with full keyboard!