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A different kind of keyboard

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Re: A different kind of keyboard

#51
post #50

A replacement for mouse/keyboard has been on my wishlist for a long long time. I'd happily accept a steep learning curve to reduce it to something that could be controlled with a couple of fingers. This guys on the right path I think, and big props for taking it as far as he has done.

Touchscreen?

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#52
I'm really keen on things like this.

I love (in theory at least) the concept of being able to work from literally anywhere, and the concept of some sort of smart display (glasses, lenses, etc) but having a physical keyboard to type out code is always a major barrier.

Something like this starts to edge towards that vision which is cool.

I wonder as well if there's a way to have some sort of bracelet (but probably something less comfortable) that can track the way your hands move, so you'd be able to just "type" normally with your hands (eventually with less actual movement and more intent I suppose) to make use of these wearable displays. No idea how feasible it is, but it feels like it is!

One day I'll be able to work whilst walking around in the forest... One day!

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#53
post #52

I'm really keen on things like this. I love (in theory at least) the concept of being able to work from literally anywhere, and the concept of some sort of smart display (glasses, lenses, etc) but having a physical keyboard to type out code is always a major barrier. Something like this starts to edge towards that vision which is cool. I wonder as well if there's a way to have some sort of bracelet (but probably some…

within reach https://aplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_3162-711x10...

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#54
I'm a Blackberry fanboy. My Key2 was far, far superior a device to the latest gen iPhone I own. I have tried for years to get used to glass, and while I'm ok with it, it's still a massive compromise.

My second favourite mobile-device keyboard was that of the Ericsson T28 [0] from about 20 years ago. At some point I accidentally discovered a feature I just found outlined at the bottom of page 28 of the T28 user manual [1], where the volume rocker switch on the left side would act as a text entry modifier key, so that pressing the number 2 button normally resulted in a B, holding the volume up and pressing 2 gave a C, and holding volume down and pressing 2 gave a D.

I remember getting so, so fast and so comfortable at texting with this method. By random chance, an acquaintance a few years ago in a co-working place had an old T28 that still worked and let me play with. Naturally the first thing I tried was the old input method - and it was like my muscle memory never left. I was so fast and so comfortable with it. She was blown away... after 20 years she still had no idea that that mode existed.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ericsson_T28

[1] https://www.lokety.com/ericsson_t28s_manual.pdf

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#55
post #52

I'm really keen on things like this. I love (in theory at least) the concept of being able to work from literally anywhere, and the concept of some sort of smart display (glasses, lenses, etc) but having a physical keyboard to type out code is always a major barrier. Something like this starts to edge towards that vision which is cool. I wonder as well if there's a way to have some sort of bracelet (but probably some…

"One day I'll be able to work whilst walking around in the forest..."

To be frank, this sounds thoroughly dystopian to me

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#56

For anyone looking, you can already use a chorded keyboard on your iPhone. It has Braille input available through accessibility settings https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210066

I remember seeing a demo of that (Braille keyboard on a phone) was crazy. What's also neat is the StuffMadeHere guy on YT added vision to that via Lidar in an iPad... the vibrations(?)/raising pins fed into a similar brail keyboard position.

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#58
post #55
post #52

I'm really keen on things like this. I love (in theory at least) the concept of being able to work from literally anywhere, and the concept of some sort of smart display (glasses, lenses, etc) but having a physical keyboard to type out code is always a major barrier. Something like this starts to edge towards that vision which is cool. I wonder as well if there's a way to have some sort of bracelet (but probably some…

"One day I'll be able to work whilst walking around in the forest..." To be frank, this sounds thoroughly dystopian to me

How about “one day I'll be able to walk around in the forest while working”?

Re: A different kind of keyboard

#60

I remember that a couple years ago Motorola was pushing its Moto Mods - hardware extensions you could clip at the back on your phone. I always thought that a Mod for alternate input (like this, or chorded/braille) would be very neat. Unfortunately looks like it never picked up.

Owning a moto Z phone, I was looking forward for this. Unfortunately, they never came with a real product.

I love typing on a hardware keyboard, I once owned an HTC Desire Z phone, which had a hardware keyboard and it was pretty great. Too bad nothing viable with a keyboard appeared since that time.

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