Glass Multitouch Keyboard and Mouse Seeking Kickstarter Investment

[John Castle]

There are two modifications the team behind this project can make that should please at least some touch-typists.

First, they can modify the glass top of the device to have vertical "brackets" raised from each key, along with a raised dot or underscore on each key, similar to the way that the F and J keys on a standard keyboard today have raised underscore marks on them to allow touch typists to find the "home row" in a pinch. Thus, even with a single surface, a touch typist can find each key by feel. It would look a little something like this:

[ . ] [ . ] [ . ] [ _ ] for A, S, D, F -- for example. Left shift: [ _____/] Right shift: [\_____] Space: [---------------] and so on.

Second, the software can be written to rule out the "touch-and-hold" key repeat function, similarly to the way OSX Lion already behaves. That way a touch typist can rest his or her fingers on the keys, just as we do now, and the keyboard will only interpret taps, not holds, as keystrokes.

 

[lamerica80]

I guess im pretty much alone here, but i dont think that is an attractive unit.

Sure, it looks cool in the picture but in real life i cannot imagine a big, finger-print smeared floating glass unit on my desk to hammer my fingers on like im in some star trek movie. Whats next, illumination? Make it blue or red? How about a futuristic "blip" everytime you type?

No thanx, im out.

 

[Fandongo]

Hammering your fingers against a solid surface is not comfortable.

Maybe some super sensitive shocks/springs for the whole keyboard?

Simple touch-thru stickers can help for you confused folks find "home".

Programmability is neat.

Really we just need a multitouch pad with a couple alter buttons on the left (thumb position - altering function buttons)

Imagine the intuitive gesture possibilities!

I don't hate this, i think all companies should push to bring us the futuristic stuff.

Haptic feedback would be game changing.

I'm not sure how pressure sensitive it can be, but it could become a really cool midi alternative.

Everyone should be thinking of cool uses or changes... if their brains house the creativity function.

Or just say everything is gay and stupid and nobody wants it (not directed at the quote, hardness is a reasonable consideration)

Imagine this built into the Macbook Air!

Using a computer would become finger painting.

Plus, you could pee on it!

Just gotta improve on Gestures in exactly the way Lion didn't.

 

[RichardI]

I must agree that although it looks cool, it's no better than a standard keyboard. In fact, since it has no tactile feedback, it's not as good. Apple's current aluminum slab design is the best there is IMHO. Save your $350.

 

[parish]

Got to agree, that looks sooo cool - could have been the work of Jony Ive - but I also agree that it would probably be hard to use due to no tactile feedback.

I have no problem typing on the iPad but that works because it is on-screen so you are looking at it - if I try touch-typing on the iPad accuracy plummets.

Perhaps they should try to make a glass version of Apple's aluminium keyboard complete with glass keys?

 

[danahn17]

While I appreciate the designer's willingness to innovate a product most people don't really think about, I'm not too fond of the keyboard design. And the lack of touch feedback would make it hard for me to use. However, the mouse looks pretty cool!

But honestly, I feel the next big innovation in computer input devices would be something like this: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/exopcs-40-inch-multitouch-exodesk-is-coming-in-2012-for-1-299/

 

[John Castle]

I'm kind of wondering if folks skipped over reading and evaluating my proposed fixes to the design.

 

[miles01110]

I'm kind of wondering if folks skipped over reading and evaluating my proposed fixes to the design.

Maybe you're new to forum environments, but this is to be expected. I'm not being mean, I'm being realistic - if someone has an issue with what you posted previously, they're more likely to respond if they disagree than if they agree.

 

[danahn17]

I'm kind of wondering if folks skipped over reading and evaluating my proposed fixes to the design.

I read it but didn't really think to write a reply :T But if you ask me, even with the proposed fixes, it wouldn't work for what I'd want and need. I think I'd really like/need the physical feel of the keyboard (including the depressing). I've used my iPad before as a keyboard for my computer when I've been in a pinch and its just not the same.

 

[reedfox11]

What if we made a keyboard with glass keys? Not touch.

 

[LDMartin1959]

Looks cool. Doubt it would work well. Or succeed.

 

[ctdonath]

in real life i cannot imagine a big, finger-print smeared floating glass unit on my desk to hammer my fingers on like im in some star trek movie.

iPad.
'nuf said.

 

[RawBert]

I already have one of those. It's called Mobile Mouse for iPad. It cost $3 and works great.

 

[Laird Knox]

The project has funded.

Imagine this built into the Macbook Air!

Using a computer would become finger painting.

Plus, you could pee on it!

Remind me to never use a computer after you.

 

[snowmoon]

Good luck getting this thing out of the lab. FTIR requires a compliant surface, the darn thing it too high off the desk, overestimating the ability to light this without LED's enclosing the surface, ability to work with ambient lighting ( incandescent and sunlight ), and I think they are overestimating the ability of their cameras to track that close. If they manage to overcome the technical problem that are the basis for the design I still don't think they can overcome the practical problems of a FTIR keyboard, but I think a trackpad might work.

 

[baleensavage]

The thing that I think a lot of people are missing on this is the technology's potential for specialized apps. Stick a thin LCD screen behind this and ditch the painted on keys and the sky's the limit. Imagine a "keyboard" that is a blank template for app developers. This could be pretty awesome for apps like ProTools or 3D apps which have really complicated interfaces that require a lot of mousework. You could do entire virtual sound boards like this. Language specific keyboards could be a thing of the past. For the casual user they could even make the keyboard a little larger than usual and give the user the capability to make the keys closer together or farther apart or to switch to a different key layout.

Of course a similar thing could be accomplished if Apple would build tethering into Mac OS with iPads. Just plop your iPad on the desk in front of your computer and open an app and your iPad becomes a customizable multitouch control for your Mac...

 

[schugg]

Why don't they show anyone actually using the keyboard in this video? I feel like they would keep tipping over. Also way too expensive. If you want to appeal to people that work in an office you gotta make it more affordable.

 

[ArcaneDevice]

Looks cool and futuristic and I could see this pop up in a movie but even though I can touch type this would not help my workflow at all.

Has anyone thought about keyboard commands? Especially the ones that require you to hold multiple keys? The only thing that stops my fingers sliding over other buttons during a CMD+OPT+SHIFT+LETTER combination is the fact the keys are depressed.

 

[John Castle]

The project has funded.



Remind me to never use a computer after you.

I had blocked out that particular tidbit. :lol:

 

[haravikk]

I'd miss my tactile feedback; I think it's one of those things that's really cool, but mostly a novelty, and an expensive one at that.

Still, if the price could come down, and a wireless version with decent battery life made… I'd totally consider it. But that's not really enough to build a business on.

The difficulty here wouldn't be the funding, it'd be the business connections needed to put these in places that would benefit. For example, the slick business receptions, public display terminals, modern museums; that kind of thing. These are the places that would potentially buy the devices for the novelty, style and cool-factor, but I really don't think they'd work for day-to-day use.

A better solution would be cheaper "iPad for Mac" style product in which you have a touch-device that mirrors your computer's screen, and allows for direct touch interaction with a desktop, without requiring you to touch the actual monitor. This way you can stick with existing set-ups, and just put the device to one side as required, use it as a keyboard and/or mouse or direct touch devices. More potential in that kind of thing due to the greater flexibility.

 

[sazivad]

Like it or not, this is the future of computer peripherals. May not be widespread now, but most likely be in 5-10 years.

Hey, at least the guy is inventing instead of sitting on a coach, reading forums like majority of macrumors users.

Couch?

 

[Fandongo]

Remind me to never use a computer after you.

Alright, but you know at least one person read it and said "Oh my god... I could pee on it!

My school gave laptops to everyone, small deductible to replace.
And yes, a disturbing amount were subject to urine attacks.

 

[jcuk]

I'd like to give this a shot, I think after a while you would definately get used to touch typing without looking. I'm guessing the amount of mistakes you make would increase initially.

However, although I don't own an iPad, I can touch type on it with relative accuracy without looking directly at the keyboard, similarly with the iPhone.

 

[J hit&runner]

Pros: easy to clean, no moving parts (higher durability), good looks, good looks, good looks

Cons: no haptic feedback, no haptic feed back, no haptic feedback......

this was clearly not thought out properly. just because a many people are typing on touchscreens nowadays, doesnt mean they WANT to, its because they HAVE to. its a tradeoff between screen size and typing comfort. RIM failed to see that and now theyre stuck with the half screen half keyboard design.

Screensize > typing comfort (in mobile devices due to physical limitations)
typing comfort and screen size coexists in the laptop/desktop world, because there are no such limitations.

for now, the only market i see, is those public workstations at hotel lobbies, stores, etc.. price would be less of a problem; ease of cleaning and high durability is a great plus; and the good looks will put customers in awe.

so market this right, and u still have urself a nice product here....

 

[themacolyte]

Tactile Feedback Not Important

I don't think tactile feedback is necessary for a keyboard. I know, the majority of people will say they simply cannot type without it, but I think they're parroting what they know and unwilling to get used to something new. If they can't type at full speed within 1 minute of using a touch interface, they'll claim it can never be done.

I can type just fine on an iPad. I'm slowed more by the often awkward orientation of the iPad on a surface (i.e. the surface is often shifting since it's my lap) and the differences between a full keyboard that I use all day and the smaller keyboard on an iPad. This wouldn't be an issue with a dedicated touch keyboard oriented separately from the screen.

I don't think you need any more tactile feedback than what is provided by the compression of your finger tip when you touch something. Whether that something moves or pushes back is irrelevant. Also, knowing where the keys are on the keyboard has nothing to do with the buttons, it's motor memory for distance and direction from your current position. You only need one or two points to orient from.

People look down at a touch keyboard because there is an adjustment period like anything else, when you spend more time looking at what you are manipulating and distrusting yourself. Once you gain confidence in your own movements, looking drops off.

Now, all of this doesn't mean I think touch based keyboards are necessary or worth the current cost. I just don't believe the claims that tactile buttons are required for fast input.