With enough time logged on the Motorola Droid, one thing about the hardware keyboard that has actually become indispensable to me is typing passwords. For whatever reason, it’s just always been easier to move to it to do this one task. And if you use SwypeShapeWriter on your Droid, then you have a compelling reason to be happy about the hardware keyboard. Security. Your passwords will not be accidentally saved to the keyboard database with an absentminded press or be on display in the auto-replace line as you type. Granted, a good password (i.e., alphanumeric) will clear in the auto-replace line once a numeral is pressed. It may not add true security by itself, but it’s still a nice benefit.
Given the rough reception the keyboard has gotten, I don’t think this aspect of it can be overstated. Argue all you want about the comfort or practicability of long-form typing on the Droid’s hardware keyboard, but even an only occasional need for that one purpose makes it worth the extra weight and hardware requirements to me.
Dac Nelson 