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'Phorm' Case Adds Morphing Tactile Keyboard to iPad Mini
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Worst name possible
In the UK, the name "Phorm" will not go down well at all.
Phorm was a company which worked together with BT (British Telecom) to illegally spy on British internet users for targeted advertising. They performed a secret trial where the internet traffic of 18,000 BT customers was illegally re-routed. Heaven knows how they avoided going to jail, but there was some evidence of collusion between the Home Office and Phorm.
In the UK, the name "Phorm" will not go down well at all.
Phorm was a company which worked together with BT (British Telecom) to illegally spy on British internet users for targeted advertising. They performed a secret trial where the internet traffic of 18,000 BT customers was illegally re-routed. Heaven knows how they avoided going to jail, but there was some evidence of collusion between the Home Office and Phorm.
That's Adam Lisagor aka lonelysandwich. At this point, he's very successful and sought after for doing exactly this kind of video, particularly for tech startups.
That is just bleepin' cool.
Looking at their site, they also have the ambition to have these be *built in* to a device, replacing the static cover that devices have now.
It looks like, in its current form, the technology supports different configurations of bumps, but only a few fixed configurations that have to be designed into the panel. E.g., one configuration could support the portrait keyboard layout while another supports landscape (not sure what this specific panel supports).
As of version 8, iOS supports custom keyboards. That would let them guarantee a match between the case and on-screen keyboard.
Looking at their site, they also have the ambition to have these be *built in* to a device, replacing the static cover that devices have now.
It looks like, in its current form, the technology supports different configurations of bumps, but only a few fixed configurations that have to be designed into the panel. E.g., one configuration could support the portrait keyboard layout while another supports landscape (not sure what this specific panel supports).
As of version 8, iOS supports custom keyboards. That would let them guarantee a match between the case and on-screen keyboard.
The bubbles seem to line up completely differently in every single shot.
Are you supposed to touch them and press down, or feel them and touch below them? Or above them?
None of those seem like they'd be helpful to someone who wants a more familiar keyboard feel.
But it's neat and different, and if it's at all durable, I give them some credit!
Are you supposed to touch them and press down, or feel them and touch below them? Or above them?
None of those seem like they'd be helpful to someone who wants a more familiar keyboard feel.
But it's neat and different, and if it's at all durable, I give them some credit!
Cool idea, good price, but it falls a bit short of what I would want:
1 - Why do I have to manually activate it? It should communicate with iOS to know when to turn on/off.
2 - Not flexible enough. Needs to have an API for alternative onscreen controls to be augmented by it. IE, the buttons in games. Or other keyboards. Or as other people mentioned, landscape keyboards.
I'm still confused about how it works. It sounds like what it does requires energy to pressurize the keys... But it doesn't cause battery drain? What sorcery does it use for energy if not a battery? Is it solar powered? Does it gather the energy it needs from being shaked when it moves?
1 - Why do I have to manually activate it? It should communicate with iOS to know when to turn on/off.
2 - Not flexible enough. Needs to have an API for alternative onscreen controls to be augmented by it. IE, the buttons in games. Or other keyboards. Or as other people mentioned, landscape keyboards.
I'm still confused about how it works. It sounds like what it does requires energy to pressurize the keys... But it doesn't cause battery drain? What sorcery does it use for energy if not a battery? Is it solar powered? Does it gather the energy it needs from being shaked when it moves?
Actually Apple has been experimenting with similar technology since at least 2007.
https://www.macrumors.com/2007/11/01/apple-researching-touch-surface-keyboard/
Edit: Apple's patent mentions "mechanical actuators" but also liquids/gels.
I guess people will buy anything. I don't see the point of this? If you want hard keys then buy the wireless keyboard which is still easier to use.
Serious typing, in the 75-80 words per minute range, can't be done with the onscreen keyboards. You need tactical feedback to be able to do "real" typing, where you don't look at what your hands/fingers are doing.
Seriously creepy serial killer vibe from that guy. Extra home invasion points when intercut with a woman lounging alone.
Looking at their site, I think what they really want is to sell this technology to device designers and let them figure out the best way to use it. It looks like the underlying technology supports both.
It seems like this case is almost just a tech demo that might help prove its value to device designers if people like it.
In this application they look like finger guide, like the little bump or ridge on the J key of physical keyboards. You'd use them to keep your hand from drifting out of position as you type without looking. It's usually a completely intuitive process that's easy to pick up, so I don't think it hurts much that it isn't just like a keyboard.
In real life, I think the big problem with this specific product is that not many people want to keep a big old case wrapped around their iPad all the time. I don't think the case will sell well, but it might help sell the technology.
That is an advantage, but no, it's not the main one.
Think about why you choose to use your computer rather than an iPad. Chances are that it's because physical buttons are better than virtual buttons (and if you're thinking about a specific app that hasn't been ported from PC to iOS, it probably hasn't been ported because the UI doesn't work well without physical buttons.)
I always wanted to add a switch to my iPad to give it herpes...
Sorry... I'll leave now.
The fact that you are getting so many up votes is an indication that the average reader here at MR is an adolecent. SMH.
while I'm not normal, I cut the tip of my right thumb off when I was 16. I'm right handed so it makes it really hard to use on screen keyboard.
9-year old Apple patent:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...&S1=20070247429&OS=20070247429&RS=20070247429
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...&S1=20070247429&OS=20070247429&RS=20070247429