Review: Tap is a Futuristic Hand-Worn Keyboard That Lets You Type With Gestures

[Vanilla35]

I agree but this solution isn’t the answer. What’s needed is a virtual keyboard setup that will still allow for querty simulation. When I first saw the title of this article, that’s what I thought it was providing, with sensors to respond to finger angles, like that produced on a querty keyboard. Disappointed to find that wasn’t the case.

I don't think tech is there yet, but yes I agree virtual/projector based keyboard is probably a future method here. This isn't the same thing at all, so a direct comparison isn't necessary imo. Virtual keyboard would likely replace applications of standard keyboard we use, such as desk, ATM, etc.

 

[G5isAlive]

Disappointing (not a good sign) how slow the inventor is. It's not clear to me why they went with their own gestures — was emulating an invisible QWERTY keyboard too hard to get accurate?

Two hands (QWERTY) versus one (tap)

 

[Anonymous Freak]

 

[Inkling]

I suspect this is well beyond my limited 'can't walk and chew gum' coordination. It took me years to get good at touch typing. I don't have the time or need for this.

Morse code coordination is far easier since it can be done with but one finger. I'd love to see someone develop a Bluetooth keyboard that turn Morse signaling into keyboard letters. That could be used in any situation where the user could make long or short taps with only on finger—even in your pocket. None of this five-fingers-on-a-table-top business.

Search for "morse to bluetooth keyboard" and you'd find several experimental projects. The idea would work will both in situations where a full keyboard isn't practical and for those with mobility issues.

https://hackaday.com/2011/08/02/bluetooth-morse-code-keyboard-for-the-disabled/

Given that it can be done, the real issue is creating an inexpensive commercial version.

 

[artfossil]

I love this concept. But then I'm also interested in anything that furthers a more intimate/organic/symbiotic relationship with our computers. Makes me think of how long it took for dictation to develop (anyone remember ViaVoice and iListen?).

 

[Gasu E.]

This seems like a great product for people willing to cut their productivity in half, in exchange for looking and acting extremely weird.

 

[fairuz]

But is there an escape key for Vim?

 

[fblack]

Fascinating, I had a blind friend in college many years ago and something like this might have given him a certain convenience and independence. However, I wonder if gestures couldn't have been simplified by having one on each hand or at least an option for that.

Also it might be easier to have technology interpret existing gestures like maybe sign language. Then there is the question of who and how many this would work for. I broke several fingers over the years and a few are stiff and not particularly dexterous. This may also not work for older populations who suffer from arthritis. It therefore feels more like an interesting niche product or experiment.

 

[pete2106]

"Tap is meant to be worn on the left or right hand"

So can I use it on my central hand or is it only meant for left or right?

 

[Octopuss]

Ordered!
Happy Birthday to me )))

 

[Benbutton]

Know it seems crazy but I do want one of these, and I was stung by the leap motion controller too. I just love custom input methods. The price needs to come down though. I’d pay between 80-120 but not 180. That’s crazy.

 

[charlituna]

Fascinating, I had a blind friend in college many years ago and something like this might have given him a certain convenience and independence. However, I wonder if gestures couldn't have been simplified by having one on each hand or at least an option for that.

It probably would have worked fine for him if it was set for something like assigning each dot space a finger and then the sixth might be combining two or more fingers. Or even something more intentional like each space gets a finger and the sixth is all five and you have to touch fingers to show you want to ‘type’ them. Maybe a down gesture with all fingers flat to show you are done with a letter and tap two fists to show a space, even perhaps multiple taps for different common punctuation. Blind and visually impaired folks are generally used to typing in Braille dots already so it would be intuitive and from from what I have seen from them pretty fast. And