In the desktop world, we have the option to use the command line: a uniform interface for a multitude of apps that would otherwise be very different when implemented as GUIs.

Using the same interface, I can move or edit files, cross out tasks on my to-do list, retrieve my password for my email account (using Bitwarden or pass), etc. All in the command line. The GUI for each of those are wildly different.

The other benefit is it is very easy to create a new command line app, as opposed to a GUI.

Is anything like this possible for the smartphone world (even if it doesn’t or will never exist)? What would it look like?

Since smartphone typing is much slower, we can’t simply reuse the command line. We’d need something different. An interface that can still support a various spectrum of different operations, yet ergonomic for a smartphone. What are your thoughts?

    • @[email protected]OPEnglish
      1•7 months ago

      Edit: sounds like you meant software keyboard. That is constrained by screen size and hence cannot be as big as I want.

      Below is my original comment which assumed you meant a physical keyboard of sufficient size.

      If you’re carrying around a big keyboard with your phone, you’ve officially exited mobile phone territory.

      Mobile phone is hand-held and pocket sized by definition.