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One-Thumb Keyboard

Posted by timothy on from the thumbs-don't-clap dept.

pagercam2 writes "As Japanese teens are so used to typing one another messages on their cellphones, they are now more comfortable with one thumb typing than the old two handed QWERTY. So a Japanese company has come out with a one-thumb keypad that allows a user to enter alphanumberic text and control the mouse with only one thumb. Sort of a cross between a TV remote and a phone keypad, with a USB connection, although wireless seems to be an obvious next step. Maybe not a revolution for the desktop, but this could advance data input on handhelds." Pictures transcend language barriers.

38 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. Heh by Exiler · · Score: 5, Funny

    [insert one handed typing joke here]

    Only in japan...

    --
    Banaaaana!
    1. Re:Heh by blurfus · · Score: 2, Funny
      I would have had the FP but I don't type fast with my thumbs...

      This is harder than it seems, I made a LOT of mistakes on my first try. This is my original typed message:

      i Wolud have fad the FO but i don't type fsad with my tuhmbs


      --
      will work for Karma
  2. Well.. by Brainboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    It'll make porn surfing a lot easier.

    --
    Just a guy with an opinion
    1. Re:Well.. by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hope they make both left and right handed models. People may have different preferences.

  3. Oh God. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now those shortened abbreviations for everyday common words is going to become more widespread. 2 L8 - U WILL B ASSIM8D!

    1. Re:Oh God. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Please, save me from the horrors of being assimated!

  4. Nice... by justMichael · · Score: 5, Funny

    alphanumberic

    And this is the type of output you get when you only type with your thumbs.

    1. Re:Nice... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Great, the new disability will be carpalthumbal.

      Thankyou, I'll be here all week.

    2. Re:Nice... by Blondie-Wan · · Score: 4, Funny
      So that's the secret of Slashdot spelling. I guess there are even more early adopters of tech here than I thought.

      ;)

    3. Re:Nice... by outsider007 · · Score: 4, Funny

      So that's the secret of Slashdot spelling...
      slashdot should be so lucky as to have editors with opposable thumbs.

      --
      If you mod me down the terrorists will have won
    4. Re:Nice... by nite_warrior · · Score: 3, Funny

      you also get things like

      keiboard

      or is that just engrish?

    5. Re:Nice... by NisJ�rgensen · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'll oppose the thumbs of anyone, anytime ...

  5. bad joke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    so if a user types "my nose" in AIM, they've thumbed their nose at you? :]

  6. Japanese buy anything... by dtldl · · Score: 5, Funny

    as long as it has a usb connection, I'm sure I've seen a usb powered coffee warmer and I'm pretty sure I didn't dream up that usb ladies pleasure accesorry.

    1. Re:Japanese buy anything... by jfedor · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well...

      -jfedor

    2. Re:Japanese buy anything... by r00zky · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hi, welcome to Slashdot

      You must be new here, right?

      --
      I'm a chainsmokin' alcoholic sociopath, so-ci-o-path
  7. Evolution by Hayzeus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Over the next few hundred millenia, expect the fingers and left thumb to wither and disappear, while the right thumb advances in dexterity, utlimately develops it's own intelligence, detaches from the human "host", and finally becomes the dominant species on the planet.

    --

    Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
    1. Re:Evolution by EMH_Mark3 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Next on Fox, 'Planet of the Thumbs'

      --
      Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me
    2. Re:Evolution by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 1, Funny

      And I for one welcome our new "digital" overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted Slashdot personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to become gladiators for their thumb-wrestling colisseum.

      --
      Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
  8. It has to be said... by AvantLegion · · Score: 3, Funny
    Kawaii!!

  9. Why limit usage to one's thumb? by macshune · · Score: 2, Funny

    Males, anyhow, can use another appendage that is at least mildly opposable with this keyboard. This would allow your hands to remain free to, say, conduct an orchestra or do pull-ups....all while chatting with your friends!!! Incredible!!!

    1. Re:Why limit usage to one's thumb? by bedurndurn · · Score: 3, Funny

      If your wang is prehensile, I suggest you go see a doctor immediately.

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      Join Team Slashdot at Folding@Home
    2. Re:Why limit usage to one's thumb? by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

      If your wang is prehensile, I suggest you go see a doctor immediately.

      Or porno talent agencies

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
  10. The Fonze by vitalitychernobyl · · Score: 2, Funny

    says, "Aaaaaayyyyy"

    --
    Automatics are for old men
  11. So what... by Dark+Paladin · · Score: 3, Funny

    So what do I do with my other hand when I'm surfing the Internet?

    Oh - wait. Um, nevermind.

    --
    52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
    1. Re:So what... by eggz128 · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...Use the mouse?

  12. Ouch by gregbaker · · Score: 2, Funny
    The page hasn't even finished loading and I think I have RSI already.

    Seriously... that can't be good for your hands.

  13. Re:Medical Applications by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I know a few people who have lost a hand or two in one way or another and they have often found it difficult to use a regular reybaord..


    Hmmm... Go Figure.

  14. Pictures? by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 2, Funny
    Pictures transcend language barriers.

    ...and one slashdotting is worth a thousand "AAAAAAGH! MY SERVER!"'s...

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  15. Uh-huh by PinkStainlessTail · · Score: 2, Funny

    And this will coincidentally be available at ThinkGeek when?

    --
    "Slashdot is about legos and staplers." -Cmdr. Taco
  16. Missing option... by nother_nix_hacker · · Score: 2, Funny

    but I don't have a thumb you insensitive clod!... oh hold on..

  17. Re:Where would we be... by osu-neko · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, if our thumbs were not opposable, I guess we'd just have to do everything they wanted without question...

    --
    "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
  18. tyng wth 1 hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    yes tyng wth 1 hand seens t be a great dea!

  19. how long before . . . by UnknowingFool · · Score: 2, Funny

    we see somebody on the highway writing email with one hand, eating with the other hand, and using their shoulder to hold onto a cell phone and using their feet to steer?

    --
    Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
  20. Oh no! by d3faultus3r · · Score: 2, Funny

    How am I supposed to type ctrl alt del when using Windows now.

    --
    read my blog
    musings on politics and technol
  21. Coming Soon... by jetkust · · Score: 5, Funny

    1.5" monitors. As Japanese teens are so used to reading messages on their cellphones, they are now more comfortable with monitors closer to the size of their cellphone screen which...

  22. Re:Thumb dexterity by jetkust · · Score: 5, Funny

    Even when they want to pick their noses, more and more boys and girls are tending to use a thumb, instead of a finger.

    This is all cool until they use their thumb to fire a gun and shoot themselves in the face.

  23. Re:Medical Applications by Thud457 · · Score: 4, Funny
    I know a guy that lost a whole bag of hands one time. Ears, too!

    Needless to say, the warehouse was less than pleased with him.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff