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Clove 2 Bluetooth Dataglove For One-Handed Typing

Posted by timothy on from the perhaps-not-best-for-motorcyclists dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Clove 2 is a bluetooth dataglove used for one-handed typing. It uses a 31-combination finger-chording design with three modes to allow every key on a standard keyboard to be typed with minimal effort. The bluetooth functionality removes the need to tether it to a computer, and since it profiles as a standard HID Keyboard, a simple translation layer to perform key remapping, sticky modifiers, and mode switching is the only software required. It consists of three components: the glove itself, the bluetooth module, and a custom charger for the Bluetooth module. Video, pictures, and full plans and schematics on the project page." From that page: "Please be advised that the Clove 2 Bluetooth Dataglove is a personal project, not a commercial offering." I hope that gets corrected at some point!

24 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Cool, but... by clang_jangle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Watching the video, it does look kind of cool. Reminds me a bit of the Twiddler2, which I sort of admire also. Two things stop me from getting one, though:
    (1) If I have to hit more than one button per character that's going to slow me down a lot, and
    (2) what about using vi (or any other pro editor)?

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    Caveat Utilitor
    1. Re:Cool, but... by mcbutterbuns · · Score: 3, Interesting

      (2) what about using vi (or any other pro editor)?

      I doubt this would have very many applications for the general public however this could be VERY useful for people with a disability. I can imagine a quadriplegic (one that doesnt have total paralysis) might be able to find use for this.

    2. Re:Cool, but... by caffeinemessiah · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If I have to hit more than one button per character that's going to slow me down a lot, and

      As someone who plays a musical instruments, this isn't as much of an impediment as it sounds. With time, you might find that its actually more powerful because (a) you're trained to think in terms of multiple keys and (b) you can extend these "chords" to capture complex keystrokes, so you'd actually SAVE time in vi, etc.

      I don't know if it would help carpal tunnel, but the flexibility of positioning your hand in any way sure sounds like a neat thing. Plus, you could walk around your office and touch-type, hell you could even use the bathroom and keep typing if you're so inclined.

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      An old-timer with old-timey ideas.
    3. Re:Cool, but... by mrchaotica · · Score: 2, Informative

      If I have to hit more than one button per character that's going to slow me down a lot

      No it won't. You hit all the buttons for the character simultaneously, not sequentially. Experts (such as the one I'm about to mention below) can type at least on a Twiddler2 as they can on a QWERTY.

      what about using vi (or any other pro editor)?

      Thad Starner, a pioneer of wearable computing (and on the left in the picture), practically lives in EMACS and uses a Twiddler2 to do so.

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      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    4. Re:Cool, but... by fireboy1919 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't think you understand the beauty of this thing.

      One hand for keyboard, and one hand for trackball (or to hold the device). No flat surface required. Heck, if you put a stylus on the finger, you could use it as the *only* input device for internet tablets.

      It's the perfect interface for a plane, or when standing in line/close quarters. Data entry for small devices can become fast. Not as fast as an actual keyboard, but approaching 30WPM instead of the wimpy 10 we get with thumbpads.

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    5. Re:Cool, but... by arosas · · Score: 5, Funny

      hell you could even use the bathroom and keep typing if you're so inclined.

      as;lkdgasjkd;gasdkjgn;bsavdeqw4;gaieshfFvkzn;xc .... sorry I was wiping.

    6. Re:Cool, but... by LandDolphin · · Score: 2, Funny

      lol It's sad, but his made me laugh:

      as far as the fingering goes. I don't mean one-fingering it

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      Spelling and Grammar errors have been added to this post for your enjoyment
    7. Re:Cool, but... by harry666t · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Makes me think about using my electric guitar as an input device... Although it's hard to say how many unique chords could I produce, or if the software could easily distinguish between all of them (but certainly easier than voice recognition!). Hey, but I could switch between lower and upper case by hitting the "distortion" button! :D

      My family is gonna kill me, though...

    8. Re:Cool, but... by myxiplx · · Score: 2, Interesting

      30wpm? My sister used to have a chord-keyboard on a handheld computer called the Agenda years ago. It was bought for her because she was partially sighted, as a quick way to take notes in classes. The guy who demonstrated it could achieve 130wpm, they are phenominally fast. I was a 100+wpm touch typist at the time, and could nearly match that speed with this thing with a month or so of practice.

      Forget typing speed, a good chord based keyboard user can hit speech speeds:
      "Many stenotype users can reach 300 words per minute"
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_keyset

  2. I knew you guys watched a lot of porn... by Izabael_DaJinn · · Score: 5, Funny

    But I hadn't realized it had become such a problem that someone had to invent a one-handed typing glove.

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    Careful What You Wish For....
    1. Re:I knew you guys watched a lot of porn... by neo8750 · · Score: 3, Informative

      When i look at this glove i think of people who have minimal use of there arms or arm.

  3. So...um by iminplaya · · Score: 5, Funny

    What am I supposed to do with my other hand, if I may be so bold to ask?

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    What?
    1. Re:So...um by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 2, Funny

      You operate the mouse with it.

      Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

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      This guy's the limit!
  4. Jackey Vinson approves! by LrdZombie · · Score: 2, Funny

    I love the power clove. It's so bad.

  5. Report card by Dan+East · · Score: 4, Funny

    Geek Factor: A+
    Functionality: B-
    Aesthetics: F

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    Better known as 318230.
  6. Septambic keyer DIY by phatvw · · Score: 4, Informative

    Hey guys these devices have been around for a while. See Steve Mann's DIY septambic keyer project. More info on keyers.

    Do any of you remember the Nintendo powerglove? Now that was the pinnacle of interface design IMHO!!!

    1. Re:Septambic keyer DIY by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Particularly if it's a personal project, you should NEVER use "sticky modifiers" with a one-handed glove...

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      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  7. Frogpad? by strabes · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would think the frogpad has already more efficiently implemented a one-handed typing solution that doesn't require a glove.

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    Its = possessive. It's = "it is"
    1. Re:Frogpad? by AaxelB · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hah! That picture is hilarious, though maybe that's just after reading all the "what do you do with the other hand?" jokes made so far.

  8. Skiping the glow by agge · · Score: 2, Informative

    http://www.senseboard.com/index.php

    Senseboard develops and manufactures a wearable
    data entry platform to enable users of mobile
    communications systems to effectively input
    text or data in practically any environment.

  9. Use the other hand to hold the handheld device by dfcamara · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Handheld devices that need most these alternative to traditional keyboards.

  10. Re:Please develop an optimal solution by Russ+Nelson · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'll pay $2,000 for one if it had a 10-year replacement warranty.

    I'll sell you one of these http://blog.russnelson.com/chordite for $2,000 with a 10-year replacement warranty.

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    Don't piss off The Angry Economist
  11. Perfect for a plane? by cciRRus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm not sure if Bluetooth tranmissions are allowed on a plane.

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    w00t
  12. Re:Add it to the pile... by MightyYar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    And it is faster than trying to enter text on a phone keypad...

    Jay Leno did it
    And a more impressive win...

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