Electronic device including keypad

1. A keypad for a portable electronic device comprising:

a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from a top surface of the key;

wherein each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween, and each ridge is offset from a midline of each key;

wherein at least some of the keys have a first concave dip adjacent the ridge, the first concave dip operable to assist a finger or thumb to securely engage that particular key; and

wherein at least some of the keys have a convex rise adjacent the first dip, a second dip adjacent each rise generally on the side of the key opposite the ridge, and a chamfered edge on the opposite side of the ridge from the first dip, each chamfered edge cooperating with the second dip from an adjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys and further assist in distinguishing between adjacent keys.

2. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein at least some keys do not have a second dip.

3. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ridges has a height that varies along its length.

4. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein at least one key has two ridges on more than one side of the key.

5. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein the keypad is provided on a base portion of the portable electronic device, the device further including a sliding portion configured for sliding relative to the base between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

6. A portable electronic device comprising:

a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from a top surface of the key, each ridge extending between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and being curved therebetween, and each ridge being offset from a midline of each key,

wherein at least some of the keys have a first concave dip adjacent the ridge, the first concave dip operable to assist a finger or thumb to securely engage that particular key; and

wherein at least some of the keys have a convex rise adjacent the first dip, a second dip adjacent each rise generally on the side of the key opposite the ridge, and a chamfered edge on the opposite side of the ridge from the first dip, each chamfered edge cooperating with the second dip from an adjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys and further assist in distinguishing between adjacent keys.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein at least some keys do not have the second dip.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the ridges has a height that varies along its length.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein at least one key has two ridges on more than one side of the key.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the keys have a highest point and wherein the keys have a height of approximately 1.30 mm or greater at the highest point.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the keys have a highest point and wherein the keys have a height of less than 1.30 mm at the highest point.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 6 , further comprising:

a base portion having the keypad provided thereon; and

a sliding portion coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed.