Next Generation Input Devices?

TenDimensions asks: "Has anyone at Slashdot seen this new input device and tried it out? What's it like? There's no doubt that new computer input devices are on the way (did anyone use the Minority Report-style hand-gesture detector at the car show a couple of months ago?) This seems interesting enough to try out, but I thought I'd ask you folks before I plunked down the money."

Comments

Whats wrong with plain old keyboard?

[Asicath]

Jeez, it seems about once a month there is a post dealing with "Next-Generation" or "New and Improved" keyboards.

My ass is a better input device then most of these devices.

The particualar device you've posted looks to be the biggest loser of them all. Its not gesture recognition like in minority report, it looks a bit more like the "keys" have light sensors under their surface or that they work like micowave buttons.

Because of this and the fact that the buttons are so close together, the chances of hitting unintended keys most be 1 in 2, you'd be better off trying to type with your hands on a on-screen keyboard on a palm pilot. Most of the instructions for this device seem to be warnings on how not to set off the keys.

re: Whats wrong with plain old keyboard?

[bbk]

"My ass is a better input device then most of these devices."

I hope you never end up in prison.

Re:Whats wrong with plain old keyboard?

[jrivar59]

The problem with keyboards is twofold:

1) RSI and other such conditions. For those that suffer, keyboard alternatives are extreamly attractive

2) Bandwidth. Even at 120wpm, my fingers are typically slower than my brain. Improving the input speed would make new things possible. For example, broadband did more than make downloads go faster, it made a whole new class of services available that were never around before. The mouse is the last device to really do this on the channel between user and computer.

I'm all for these alternatives. Except when coding, then I need things to go much slower than my brain...... Its unlikely anything will replace the standard mouse/keyboard setup any time soon, but we can dream.

You are missing the point..

[floydman]

There are several sizes of that mini keyboard, and the layout is the same as the regular keyboard.

The only difference is that the keyboard surface is also a touch mouse pad, which in my opinion actually is easier. The hand movement from a regular kb to a mouse can be quite frustrating sometimes(ofcorse if espically use X, or even windows)..

I mean i am a Keyboard user, i dont use the mouse often, but sometimes i am just stuck on shortcuts or moves, and i have to, and its frustrating... thats the whole point of it i guess..

And by the way.. this subject have been on /. before..

...must...resist...

[Chilltowner]

...obvious...pr0n...joke.... "Need a small keyboard that's easy to clean? The iGesture Mini Keyboard is great for applications where two-handed touch typing is not the norm."

Great for lousy typists!

[pete-classic]

Two-finger typists, [and] one-handed typists [. . .] should immediately feel at home with the compact key layout.

I read that as "If you can't type worth a damn on a real keyboard, you'll do just as well on this thing!"

-Peter

Re:Great for lousy typists!

[IWorkForMorons]

I would think the one-handed typists would just appreciate being able to clean it easily...

Re:Probably not worth it

[orthogonal]

It looks too small to be comfortable.

It looks like you meant this to be a reply to the first post's: My ass is a better input device then most of these devices.

Is there a subtle homoerotic subtext (that I'd prefer to be missing) going on here?

No tactile feedback?

[morzel]

Keyboards that don't provide some tactile feedback that a key has been 'clicked' are very awkward to use, because the only way you know that you have successfully recorded a 'click' is by checking on the screen. This is very tiring.

I don't think I would ever be able to use these kinds of keyboards as efficiently as I do know with my 'regular' keyboards.