More Virtual Keyboards Waiting in the Wings

This is how every technology begins. Let's hope that eventually this technology will become more usable that we can take use of it.

The best solution I've considered for these 'virtual glove' systems is American Sign Language. Yea, that's something else to learn, but it doesn't depend on acting like you're hitting a keyboard. Instead, you could use normal ASL hand movements for indicating the characters you wanted to input.

There's just no way to replicate hunt-and-peck typing with these, since there's nothing to look at. And even touch-typing can be difficult if you start tapping outside the area where the letter you want is.

Now, a Bluetooth enabled ASL glove/ring system would be excellent for data input on the go. Especially if anyone can develop a visual interface that fits inside standard eyeglasses, rather than the cumbersome goggles/projectors currently available. As it stands, you still have to be holding your handheld or sitting in front of a screen to see what you're putting into the system, limiting this to the realm of 'nifty gadget'.

I think the concept for these devices is incredibly cool, but not very stylish. I really like the looks of the Palm m515 and Clie T615, but these things make you look like a cyborg. Hopefully as these devices develop, they will also become more stylish and practical.

>Exactly! If you don't have the skill to accomplish 100 wpm in Graffiti then you shouldn't even own a pda. A keyboard, virtual or otherwise, just 'accounts' for lack of skill. (geez...)

I don't see how typing relates to ownership of a PDA. Did you ever consider that some folks may be using their PDA as a laptop replacement? (Shock! Horror! People are using it for more than PIM functions! AHHHH!) There are some folks, including myself that are very proficient with Graffiti, but realize that for long documents, taking notes in meetings, etc. that typing is the better way to go. Ownership of a keyboard for your PDA doesn't always signify a lack of Graffiti skills.

As for our 80WPM wündertypist, that's great that you can do that kind of speed with two fingers... just imagine what you could do if you used all ten. I can't speak for the "idiots" (sheesh) that used Mavis Beacon, but with touch typing I'm at 95WPM. I'd say that's quite a bit better... and I'm able to focus on my work instead of staring at the keyboard.

Ignorance is for morons. Learning to type is for the educated, and those who wish to be successful.

Oh, and it does look like at least Senseboard's product is making some adaptations for the hunt-and-peckers out there. From their FAQ: "...and for those who do not know the touch-typing technique, the different letters can be labelled onto the upper part of the product (the strap) to guide the user. You can also find touch-typing tutorials available on the internet." At least you can stare at the stickers on the back of yoru hands in place of a keyboard.

I don't believe you

You should learn to type with ten fingers and you will really type 80wpm or much more

Okay ... this is for the peck typist. Yes, I have known people that can type faster than touch typists. But that is only if you are concentrating on the keyboard. That kind of typing does no good if you are typing on the screen with lots of inputs. Just the fact you have to look at the screen to read, then continue typing means you have just lost a second or two where a touch typist would have gotten several words in. Yes you might type faster in long documents where reading the screen all the time is not necessary, but you are no match for a fast touch typist that does not have to deviate from the screen he is reading.

And ... how often are you going to type long documents on your PDA? Where you can just ignore the PDA screen? Not often since there are many fields. And I say this ... LEARN TO TYPE.

>I don't see how typing relates to ownership of a PDA.

Having a little trouble relating sarcasm to that post, also, heh?

Hey, I'm real, real delighted that you are an accomplished touch typist. But I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that the makers of these 'virtual keyboards' are very much interested in input from those of us that aren't. They're interested in as large a market as possible. And that includes us un-skilled types that have to look down at the keys. Afterall, the makers of standard keyboards care about us...that's why they print the letters on the keys.

>I won't use a Palm until it has a complete voice interface, because I never learned how to read or write.

Looks like you have the 'writing' part down pat. Oh, wait, you can't read this.

This is a funny thread.

When I was in High School (23 years ago!!!), typing class was one semester and optional. Advanced typing was two semesters and as one genius above here pointed out, mostly populated by girls. This is the class I took (heh, and folks said I was stupid. I repeat, MOSTLY GIRLS. heh)

Anyway, it amazes me that today, when computers are so commonplace, that a) High Schools don't have mandatory typing classes and b) that people *DON'T* go out of their way to learn how to type.

Trust me folks, as someone that has been making a living off of the computer industry for over twenty years now, good typing skills DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Of course the employees at CompUSA won't know what the heck it is...(Bad experience buying a $400 Wacom Tablet)

Hello? Isn't it the next millenium? Why don't we have
mental keyboards? You know, wires connected directly into
the brain that can be used to send data directly into the Palm? That would be nice

I work for a company that develops BCIs (brain-computer interfaces). And no, ours don't require you to stick a chip in your brain! :) And there definitely are applications for portable computing, although probably more obviously for wearable getups. Imagine being able to control a wearable computer simply by gazing at icons in your personal display... It's all coming in the next few years. I mean, it exists now. I get to play with it all day long. Man, my job rocks. :)

I find all the whining about having to learn (gasp! Education? what a novel concept!) absolutely laughable, but I sympathize with the user who just wants to use a device without spending too much time getting up to speed.

I'm a user interface aficionado and I've learned to touch type in the QWERTY and Dvorak keyboard layouts. I achieve 80 WPM with Graffiti, and I'll even learn FITALY if I have to.

I'm glad that the technology has finally become available to make "air" keyboards possible. I'm a fan of one-handed chording keyboards and finger-touch combination entry methods, I can't get enough of it!

I do not like using American Sign Language to enter text for the simple reason that others can easily read what you're entering by just watching your gestures.