Hardware Keyboard

My application makes heavy use of ListViews. I find that Landscape mode significantly hinders the functionality of it. I was thinking I would lock the orientation to portrait mode. However, I have 2 text inputs (launched in alert dialogs) to consider. Neither inputs will be accessed every time the app is used, typical usage would probably be about 30% of the time.

The first text input will typically be 6-12 characters. Even if you have a hard keyboard, it might not be worth it to use it here. I thought I might even automatically pop up the soft keyboard to save the user a click.

The second text input is up to 255 characters, something that if you have a hardware keyboard, you might use. But if the orientation is locked to portrait and you have a side sliding keyboard, it'll be awkward.

Any ideas 开发者_运维问答on how to handle this for maximum functionality?

It's a design call.

Just weight pros and cons and make a choice, i would go for the lock and using a virtual keyboard. I think is where it's all heading and that they have nothing to envy to a good old hardware keyboard, but some people still loves them, although the lists get all fuzzy and the UI gets awkward.