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?

  • glimse@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    How would your ideal solution overcome not having a full-sized keyboard in your pocket?

    • matcha_addict@lemy.lolOP
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      6 months ago

      By not relying on typing speed. Maybe the interface could heavily leverage gestures for example, or auto complete, etc. There are many possibilities.

      But also this kind of is the core of my question 😄

      • CrayonRosary@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        The last paragraph in your post should have been the only paragraph in your post. People aren’t getting as far as your last paragraph before they give up and make a comment about command lines on Android.

        You didn’t need to spend 4 paragraphs telling everyone things they already know. You should have gotten right to the point.

        • matcha_addict@lemy.lolOP
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          6 months ago

          You’re right, thanks for pointing that out. It does seem that almost no one read to the end, and that’s on me.