I don't think you understand what T9 is, T9 takes exactly 5 taps as well to type "FILED". Each numeric button is tapped once, Numeric button 3(F), 4(I), 5(L), 3(E), 3(D). It is similar to calling a phone number 1-800-WHATS UP, you don't tap the numeric button "4" two times to get an H, you only tap it once. The device is smart enough to guess the word correctly. Occasionally if it is a word I don't use often I need to hit the next button one or two times. Given how much larger the buttons are for an alphanumeric keypad, being much less app to hitting the wrong button it is much faster than QWERTY. That's the problem with T9, half the people that talk down on it don't even understand what it is.
Originally Posted by
gab1972 I could never understand the fascination with T9 keyboards on smart phones. To me, it's a step backwards. I can type the word "FILED" in 5 easy taps. On a T9 it would take 12 taps with a short pause between the letters E and D since they're on the same key. How is this productive?