12-18-2002, 11:36 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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New Senseboard Prototype
http://www.senseboard.com/product.php
Dejan Ivkovic sent in a fairly simple message: "Just got these. Think you will like it...". Nothing much, you'd say, but it is much if you know that he's talking about this product:
The Senseboard was already present at Fall 2001 Comdex in a prototype version, but now they have a new prototype. "The prototype product released in December 2002 is designed to capture the motion of the fingers and hands, enabling keyboard functionality. The Virtual Keyboard's current status is that it works for slow typing of words and numbers on a PDA or Laptop computer. Within the next few months Senseboard will make the following improvements: faster (i.e. normal/touch typing speed possible); easy to use for an un-trained Senseboard user; wireless version will be released".
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12-18-2002, 11:40 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 383
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Phheww .. If this isn't sci-fi, then I don't know what is
/jizmo
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12-18-2002, 11:44 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 396
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Is there a special "lite" version which works for two-fingered typists? :lol:
Actually, seriously enough, I tried to learn to touch-type as I use a keyboard all day but I found that typical techie use for me (i.e. a word or two and then some mouse clicks) made touch-typing impractical and slower. I'm guessing the sort of people who use Pocket PCs would be geeks rather than typists.
Who here can touch-type, by the way?
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12-18-2002, 12:42 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 599
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by FredMurphy
Who here can touch-type, by the way?
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I can, though probably not quite the same way that a trained typist can, although I am quite fast. Never timed myself, though.
It isn't anything I practised, though. It gradually came together after years of programming and writing reports 
I really like annoying people by looking at them and having a converstation whilst continuing to finish off what I was typing at the time :lol:
I've just had a look at Senseboard's web site and I am intrigued by how they might have been able to pull this off. The benefit of creating a product that works for touch-typists means that you don't need a keyboard to look at, because you know where the keys are without looking down. However, I am surprised that they are detecting enough muscle movement to accurately work out which keys are being aimed at.
I loved this entry from the FAQ:
Q : Does it have an off switch on the hand-pieces so that I can scratch my head without typing crazy characters?
It has a pause function, so that the user may be able to eat, drink or scratch their head without creating unwanted letters and symblols with their hand movements
:crazyeyes:
--Philip
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12-18-2002, 01:33 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,023
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Can't "touch type" in the classic strict sense of the word, but much like everyone else these days I've developed my own similar method over time that works naturally. Strict touch typing just requires the fingers to bend in ways I'd rather not repeat many many thousand times daily. No wonder people get bad wrists.
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12-18-2002, 01:44 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 416
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I can't imagine hitting keys that aren't physically there. I type 40 words per minute, well enough without errors. I'd have to try it before buying.
Kind of reminds me of those people walking around talking to people who aren't there, cell phone users. What happens when the battery dies in one side or another, can you only use half the keyboard?
I occasionally start one key to the right with my left hand and don't notice till I've gone a few paragraphs down the page. Even with the little ridgy things on the 'F' and 'J' keys. I just jump in my chair and go.
Edward
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12-18-2002, 03:31 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 73
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All looks cool, but isn't it bigger than a foldable keyboard? :P
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12-18-2002, 04:09 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by cessquill
All looks cool, but isn't it bigger than a foldable keyboard? :P
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Huh... hadn't thought of that. It is three different parts that you need to carry around and I'm not so sure that this would be more convenient than just toting a Stowaway.
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12-18-2002, 04:21 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ECOslin
I occasionally start one key to the right with my left hand and don't notice till I've gone a few paragraphs down the page. Even with the little ridgy things on the 'F' and 'J' keys. I just jump in my chair and go.
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I also couldn't imagine typing on a keyboard that I cannot feel with my fingers. I've come to completely rely on those "ridgy" things on the F and J keys... my index fingers just intuitively search for them everytime I place my fingers on the keyboard.
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12-18-2002, 04:44 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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I can touch type. Although high on the cool factor, I really don't see the value of this device. It seem like too much to carry around for a portable device. Plus it would require some setting up before each use, so would not be used very spontaneously (ie might only use a night at the hotel to do major typing in which case could use a regular foldup keyboard with better tactile response.) Almost a year ago, I recall seeing an article on a device that actually projected a keyboard onto the surface in front of you and could tell where you positioned your fingers on the projection. That could be integrated into the PDA and was nothing else to carry around.
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Linear Mode
