'Tap' Wearable Bluetooth Strap Turns Any Surface Into a Keyboard

[MacRumors]

A new wearable tech device revealed this week, called the "Tap," aims to simplify typing methods on devices lacking traditional keyboards (via Bloomberg). Made out of a soft foam material, Tap slips onto each finger of your hand and can translate 31 different taps into letters and numbers that are then transmitted to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet.

All Tap needs is any flat surface -- "a table, a chair, or even your body" -- and for users to overcome a slight learning curve. Each finger on Tap is designated with a vowel, so the rest of the alphabet, and the usual array of special characters and punctuation, can be input using a combination of various finger taps.

That might sound slightly complex, but its creators at Tap Systems, Inc say that it takes about one hour to master Tap thanks to the company's TapGenius App. The app is described as a mnemonic-based learning tutorial that combines an educational system for users to wrap their heads around Tap's new input style, with a gaming-style experience.

While Tap's current market purpose lies in quicker texting and typing within smart devices, the technology's creators see it as an evolving creation over the coming years. Possibilities include music creation, video game control, and other applications that could open up "a world of creative possibilities" for Tap's users. As it stands, the device already has some interesting practicality for visually impaired individuals, who could possibly learn Tap's new input system and become a nimble typist on a smartphone without the use of dictation.

"Tap brings an entirely new dimension to how we can interface with the digital world," said Ran Poliakine, Tap's co-founder. "Tap's fundamental technology is applicable not only to language, but also to music, gaming and control. It is a new modality that opens up a world of creative possibilities. We are partnering with creative developers and select OEMs to help us unlock its full potential. Our goal is to create an ecosystem in which our partners utilize Tap to deliver new and exciting experiences for our users.

Tap is currently in a beta test in San Francisco, with an expected ship date for a consumer model "before the end of 2016." The company will also be making a Tap Development Kit available to a few developers to begin implementing the technology in their apps, games, and even interactive AR and VR experiences.

Anyone interested can join Tap's waitlist to be the first to receive new information about the device as its development progresses.

Article Link: 'Tap' Wearable Bluetooth Strap Turns Any Surface Into a Keyboard

 

[JosephAW]

Chording keyboards are nothing new. But I like the minimalist design.

 

[Mactendo]

Using Morse code you can type text with one finger.

 

[JosephAW]

I'm surprised no one has created A Bluetooth ring where you would tap morse code with your index finger. Kids would learn the tap code quickly and they would learn to tap really fast. Now that would be stealth.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

This looks like it has more potential than the Apple Watch does, and like it could actually change the Apple Watch from being borderline useless to possibly worth buying.

But it's ugly and looks uncomfortable.

 

[JosephAW]

Is there a morse code app for the apple watch?

 

[Mactendo]

I'm surprised no one has created A Bluetooth ring where you would tap morse code with your index finger. Kids would learn the tap code quickly and they would learn to tap really fast. Now that would be stealth.

Exactly. Maybe Tap Systems will realize it a bit later.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Sell it in "Adult" stores and it might be a hit.

 

[Jeremy1026]

This looks like it has more potential than the Apple Watch does, and like it could actually change the Apple Watch from being borderline useless to possibly worth buying.

But it's ugly and looks uncomfortable.

There wasn't even an Apple Watch in their promo video.

 

[Stella]

Interesting concept and looks useful! I can see the company being bought out by the likes of
Google or Microsoft if this truly has potential.

 

[itsOver9000]

I don't see how this is any easier than using the keyboard on the phone/tablet that is laying right there next to the people in the ad. Or even worse, the lady in the ad that already has the phone in her hand to take a picture then sets the phone down to use this thing...?

 

[dasmb]

Each finger on Tap is designated with a vowel

And I'm growing a second pinky, because sometimes Y

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

There wasn't even an Apple Watch in their promo video.

Was that not one at 1:20?

Huh. Well, whatever competing smartwatch that is is now more useful than the Apple Watch.

I added myself to the wait list for the TAP. #1890. I'm intrigued. If it's like, $20, then whatever, I'll just buy it. If it's $100, probably not. In between, I'll think about it.

Hm - 31 combinations. Some of these combinations are going to be uncomfortable. Anything that requires your middle finger and pinky, but not your ring finger to be down is going to be uncomfortable. Fortunately there's only 4 such combinations.

Also, this seems like it could be good for when your hands need to physically be somewhere, but you're free to shift your grip. Like when you're driving.

If there were ways to launch and control apps with it, that would be pretty awesome.

 

[decimortis]

I jsut tppwerd thaz.

 

[TrueBlou]

Awesome, it's about time someone made somethzing like this, think of the possibilities instead of wasting our times touching these little letters on our screens. Now, what exactly is the tap sequenced for sarcasm?

 

[allenvanhellen]

Is there a morse code app for the apple watch?

Yeah. It's called use Siri or, ya know, wait until the end of the damn meeting, actually pay attention to what's going on, and then use your phone.

 

[TrueBlou]

Yeah. It's called use Siri or, ya know, wait until the end of the damn meeting, actually pay attention to what's going on, and then use your phone.

And stop looking for an excuse to fiddle in your pockets

 

[allenvanhellen]

This looks stupid.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

A bit slimmer/cuter design would be nice, else I still would try one.

 

[Crosscreek]

Sell it in "Adult" stores and it might be a hit.

I was thinking the same thing but afraid to say it. lol

 

[unixphone]

If i dont get caught using apple watch and this in meetings, totally worth it

 

[benjitek]

Looks like something in one of those airplane seatback shopping catalogs that people buy, and it winds up in a drawer after a naive purchaser realizes it they were duped into thinking it would be useful...

 

[Parasprite]

A lot of people are mocking this but I could see this being potentially useful as an accessibility device for people who are visually impaired.

This looks like it has more potential than the Apple Watch does, and like it could actually change the Apple Watch from being borderline useless to possibly worth buying.

But it's ugly and looks uncomfortable.

Then there's this.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

Looks cool, actually. Having once used the "Graffiti" system on the old Sony Clie, I can say that it really doesn't take long to learn an alternate input system, and the results are far more powerful than you might expect going in. The traditional keyboard model isn't always the best.

 

[Mactendo]

I was thinking the same thing but afraid to say it. lol

What's the point of selling it in adult stores?..