In case you’re not familiar with the device, a chorded keyboard has fewer keys – the user presses multiple keys at once to enter a single command or character. This not only leads to a smaller device but makes it possible to type with one hand. Entering the patterns on such a device is similar to playing chords on a piano, hence the name. This is an example of a chorded keyboard. I’m not sure if the Kee4 Keyboard also qualifies as a chorded keyboard, but it does work in a similar way.

As for Teague Labs’ app, it uses five virtual buttons which appear when the user places all five fingers on the screen. Theoretically, it addresses the three weaknesses of traditional on-screen keyboards. The buttons are large. If you can memorize the patterns for characters, then you don’t need tactile feedback. Finally, the buttons go away when you lift your fingers off of the tablet’s screen; they can also be dragged in another area of the screen. Then again they take up the whole screen while you’re typing. Here’s the app in action:

If you have an iPad or Android tablet, fire up your tablet’s browser and go to this page to try out Teague Labs’ chorded keyboard prototype. Note that the app doesn’t allow for punctuation marks – those will be included in the second set of buttons, which are still in development. It’s a nice concept but I think I’ll stick to the default keyboard on my iPad. I don’t do a lot of typing on it anyway and I’m already looking at the screen when I’m typing so I don’t need to touch type.

What I really want is for Apple to include a numpad-style button, similar to the ones available on older cellphones. Years of owning Nokia phones have burned the memory of that interface to my thumbs. Also, I’m not sure if the guys at Teague Labs are aware of this, but there are already virtual chorded keyboard apps for both the iPad and for Android tablets, although the ones I saw are designed for use with two thumbs.

[Teague Labs via Hack A Day]

WASD Keyboards uses Cherry MX mechanical switches, so after creating your design you’ll choose the color and type of switch you want. You can also order a dampener if you don’t want the trademark clicking sound that mechanical keyboards make. You can also choose the font of the text on each key and whether the text will be engraved or lasered in. If you really want to get creative you can upload your own design or even send custom art for each of the keys.

Above is my design for a Technabob-themed keyboard; you can see more at WASD Keyboard’s website or have a look at the gallery below for more user-created designs.

Head to WASD Keyboards to design and order your own V1 Custom Mechanical Keyboard. Prices start at $140 (USD). The company also sells a Semi-Custom version of the keyboard, which is still brimming with tweakable specs.

[via Gamerfront via The Red Ferret Journal]

However, that can soon change with TypeWay. In fact, you can get back to typing using all ten of your digits, if that’s what you’re used to or if that’s what you’d want to do. The virtual keys in this app for your iPad will automatically change position and placement in order to adapt to your hand position and typing habits.

TypeWay isn’t just a keyboard app; rather, it’s text editing software complete with basic iOS 5 features like cut, copy and paste, spell-checker, suggestions for word correction, and multi-touch features. The developer made it this way since you can’t replace the regular virtual keyboard that comes with your iPad (though we wish that Apple would some day allow for this.) One other caveat is that the TypeWay keyboard currently only supports an English international keyboard in landscape mode.

You can purchase TypeWay from the iTunes App Store for $5.99 (USD).

[via Chip Chick]

And if you’re the type who sometimes eats dinner while you’re streaming some videos or surfing the Internet, then you know for a fact that your keyboard is filthy. Now for regular, healthy people like you and me, that might be okay. But if this keyboard is in a more sensitive environment, say a hospital or in some other medical setting, then it’s a huge no-no.

To answer the need for a truly clean and self-sanitizing keyboard is the Vioguard, which has now been approved by the FDA. The Vioguard has a proximity sensor that will eject the keyboard when there’s a human who will presumably type something close by. When it’s not in use, the keyboard will then be housed in a UV resistant receptacle where the keyboard will be exposed to a constant stream of UV light.

The Vioguard uses 80W when it’s sanitizing the keyboard actively, and 3W when it’s on standby. No word on pricing yet, but I have to say… Now this is neat.

[via MedGadget via Oh Gizmo!]

The TabStrummer uses an Atmel microcontroller, a MIDI output and an audio-out jack. The 12 memory buttons can be programmed with any chord/tab that can be played on a 12 fret guitar, and all the buttons can be programmed into any of the 300 memory SONG locations of TabStrummer’s internal memory. To listen to the TabStrummer, you can use headphones or connect it to your sound system or TV.

Geeky musicians would certainly love to get their hands on this instrument. To hear the TabStrummer in action, check out the video below. It sounds pleasant enough.

[via Hack-a-Day via Geeky-Gadgets]

Instead of putting up new wallpaper, Sarah Frost experimented with keys from keyboards. She used thousands of computer keyboards, smashed them to pieces, and used the individual keys to create this technological alternative to wallpaper. This QWERTY Wall is definitely something that all computer enthusiasts will enjoy.

There are some funky hypnotic patterns integrated into these large pieces of art. Check them out at her site, or if you happen to be in NYC, head over to the James Hotel, where you can see one of her permanent installations.

[ScrapHacker via Recyclart via Bit Rebels]

First up is the Optimus Popularis, a compact keyboard with everything but numeric keys. The Popularis is one awesome looking keyboard, with each key offering full programmability, and a tiny, full color screen.

Each key is made up of a 64×64 pixel grid, which can support 262,144 unique colors, and a frame rate of 10fps. That’s right, you can display animation on these keys!  Each one can be set up with custom images for different languages, or special keys to launch specific applications or functions when switching applications. Lebedev says it’s “A million keyboards in one,” and he’s totally spot on. Here are just a few sample configurations:

One thing to note is that the keys this time are made using a backlit LCD screen instead of individual OLED screens, which seems like a better approach these days. Though it’s not clear if each key has it’s own individual LCD panel or if there’s just one large LCD behind the keyboard, and the area between the keys acts as a mask. Either way, it still looks awesome. I also love how the new keys are more like those rounded keys found on a Mac keyboard, which is more what I’m used to these days anyhow.

A quick glance reveals a fully customizable display bar between the function keys and the main keyboard, which can be used to display pertinent info like what track you’re listening to, or how many emails you have waiting.

Programming is accomplished with a sophisticated configuration app included with the keyboards – and it’s compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 8 and Mac OS 10.5.1 or higher too.

So now that you’ve wiped the drool off of your current keyboard… the pricetag. The Optimus Popularis isn’t cheap. The pre-order price is 31,500 rubles, which works out to be about $1086 (USD) or 747 (EUR) at today’s exchange rates. Pricey, but sexy as all get out. If that’s too rich for your blood, and you still love the concept, check out the Optimus Mini Six add-on keyboard instead:

The Mini Six is exactly what it sounds like – a small external keyboard with six programmable LCD keys on it. It supports the same programmability,  and animation capabilities of the full-size keyboard – though it only can handle 65,536 colors. The Mini Six is selling for for 10,900 Rubles, or about $376(USD) or $258 (EUR). Both the Popularis and Mini Six are built from aluminum and plastic components, and have a nice slim profile.

Art Lebedev Studio started to take pre-orders for both the Optimus Popularis and Optimus Mini Six today, with the Popularis shipping June 1, 2012, and the Mini Six not shipping until November 1, 2012. But there is an advantage to that long pre-order wait, as the retail prices will be more than 30% higher once released. Yeouch! Lebedev, does plan on showing off the prototypes at the 2012 CES show next month. I definitely plan on stopping by their booth to see these awesome looking things up close and personal.

The iStation has integrated speakers and a keyboard that will pair with your iPad via Bluetooth. There’s even a USB cable to charge up your tablet. This means that the iStation will be tethered to a power outlet. It’s the sort of dock that wouldn’t look out of place in a kitchen – or a vintage computer store.

It’s available in a faux retro woodgrain finish or in white for $85.90(USD) over at M.I.C Gadget’s online store.

[via Ubergizmo]

But what would you think if I told you that you could possibly be using a multitouch, tempered glass keyboard and mouse by April of next year? Well, you really would, if you made a pledge of $350 or more (to get both), $250 or more (to get the keyboard), or $150 or more (to get the mouse) on this Kickstarter project by Jason Giddings.

These next-generation computer mice and keyboards are made from special, curved tempered glass and have cameras at the base to detect your fingers’ movements using infrared light. Both devices are still unnamed, but Jason is giving anyone who pledges $10 and $25 a chance to name his babies (these babies, and not his real ones, if ever he has any.)

Jason’s goal was to raise $50,000 and it looks like the project is well on its way, as the current pledges already amount to over $48k. Way to go!

[via Oh Gizmo!]

We’ve previously featured earrings, textiles, skulls, jackets, and even a Rubik’s Cube made out of old keyboards, but here are a couple of new ideas.

The brazier-like top of this dress uses keyboard keys and was showcased during Ecofashion 2011, last March. It definitely looks interesting, but I wonder how comfortable it is. Then again, I don’t have to wear it.

Another unusual use for old keyboards is the The Typographic Wall Calendar. For his design, Harald Geisler arranged thousands of keys in a grid to indicate the days and day of week. It’s really cool looking, but not exactly the easiest thing on Earth to read.

While these two ideas might seem completely random, they’re actually quite appropriate, since November 15th is America Recycles Day.

[via If It's Fly It's Here and In Focus]

At just 0.22″ thick, it’s supposed to be the world’s thinnest keyboard, but that’s not quite true since the Hatch & Co. SKINNY is only 0.07″ thick. Still, it’s probably a bit more comfortable to use, since they’re actual keys, and not touch-sensitive like the SKINNY.

The E6300 keyboard measures just about 3.1″ × 8.1″, so it’s quite compact. The Rapoo’s keyboard is rechargeable with a charge lasting up to a month.

It was designed to work well with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth, and you can get one for $39.99 (USD) over at Focalprice.

[via GeekAlerts]

Invented by Steve Isaac and Brad Melmon, the Touchfire adds tactile feedback to the iPad’s on-screen keyboard, enabling touch-typing. No Bluetooth or battery is required. It’s similar to the Fling joystick in that you only need to overlay it on the iPad’ screen; it will align perfectly with the on-screen keyboard. Its clips are magnetized, so they are secured into place by the iPad’s magnets.

But just like the TILT MacBook Pro stand, I think the best feature of the TouchFire is that you can easily leave it on the iPad. It’s made of flexible silicone rubber, so when you’re not going to use it you can clip it to your iPad’s Smart Cover. You don’t have to worry about bending or breaking it even if you use the Smart Cover to prop up your iPad. You can also store it on its own case if you don’t own a Smart Cover.

I’m not surprised that the TouchFire has already raised more than twice its target fund at Kickstarter even if the fundraiser still has a month and a half to go. I think it’s a very practical keyboard. The only real advantage that other physical keyboards have over the TouchFire in my opinion are the miscellaneous keys like the dedicated home and volume control buttons. Otherwise the TouchFire is the best iPad keyboard I’ve ever seen.

You can pre-order it on its Kickstarter page for $45 (USD). If you pledge at least $80, you’ll get additional colored clips that match the different colors of the Smart Covers.

[via Gadget Review]

The SKINNY case is made from faux leather, and integrates the world’s slimmest and lightest iPad 2 keyboard. At least, that’s what the company claims. The keyboard is 0.07 inches thick. It only weighs 10.4 ounces, so your iPad will stay light and thin. It even integrates a trigger to automatically sleep and wake your iPad, just like Apple’s Smart Cover.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Instead of chiclet-style keys, you’ll find ultra-thin touch keys with a slight tactile edge, so I don’t know how good these are for touch-typing, and if they’re really going to be an improvement over the on-screen keyboard. Though it will save you screen real-estate while typing, and it is spill-proof. The keyboard’s battery is good enough for 68 hours of continuous use and it can be charged up via USB in two hours.

You can get the SKINNY case over at Amazon for $89.99 (USD), and is available in either black with grey keys or white with brown keys (reminiscent of the old Atari 400).

[via Ubergizmo]

If you use an Android tablet, you can get the new LuxePad A9000 from Genius that is made specifically for the Android tablets out there. The new keyboard is aimed at Android 3.0 tablets and connects using Bluetooth. It has a scissor style key system that has smooth presses and a solid tactile feel.

That should mean you could type like the wind on your tablet for typing out documents or emails. The keyboard only supports Android 3.0 so don’t think you are going to share this around with your iPad pals (you’ll need to grab the iOS-specific LuxePad 9000 for that). It has batteries included and sips power according to Genius so it should last a good long while. It does have keys on it for your Android tablet commands too. The LuxePad A9000 will sell for about $60 (USD).

Next up is the Laser Mouse G9X with on-the-fly, adjustable dpi from 200 dpi all the way to 5700 dpi. Its USB connection will deliver 1000 reports per second. There’s also a dual-mode scroll wheel with a click-to-click mode and a hyper-fast scrolling mode. You also get up to five ready-to-play profiles that you can switch through without software.

The Logitech Laser Mouse G9X and Gaming Keyboard G105 are $79.99(USD) each.

[via Ubergizmo]

The image was snapped by Flickr user Ti.mo on a recent walk through the streets of Brussels, Belgium. I wonder if I could type any faster with my feet?

[via Clickr Chart via Neatorama]

The K60 has specially contoured and textured WASD and 1-6 keycaps, and they’re bright red so you don’t miss them. The keys can be easily replaced when they falter after long gaming sessions, and are easy to clean because of the way they are raised. There’s also an ergonomic wrist rest that’s nice to have.

Both keyboards come with anti-ghosting tech, meaning that if you mash a few keys at once, you won’t get glitchy responsiveness. Response time is 1ms and it’s supposed to be very responsive to double- and triple-taps. There’s another keyboard that Corsair released, the K90, but it looks a bit too big to me.  The added size comes from 18 programmable keys on the left, which are made for MMOs. But it does comes with cool LED backlighting, which is always nice.

I prefer how minimal the K60 looks. Corsair also released matching mice. Both offer 5700 DPI precision, an aluminum body, and a heavy-duty scroll wheel. The K60 mouse even has a special “sniper button,” while the M90 mouse comes with 15 programmable buttons! Personally, I’d match a K60 keyboard with a M90 mouse.

You can get the K60 Keyboard for $109.99 (USD), and its mouse is $69.99. The K90 keyboard sells for $129.99, while the matching mouse goes for $79.99.

[via HotHardware]

Designed by James Stumpf of ENTERAX, the Levitatr is an aluminum Bluetooth keyboard which offers a unique innovation – elevating keys. That is, when the keyboard isn’t in use, the keycaps retract flat into its face. When you want to type, just press a button and the keys pop up and backlighting turns on.

The retractable keys should also keep crumbs from getting stuck between keys too, and I know how often you’re sitting at the Starbucks chomping on a scone while you type, right?

Despite being a little thicker than I’d like it to be, it’s still pretty slim at just 12.5mm thick, and the Levitatr sports a slick machined anodized aluminum chassis, with a glossy black polycarbonate face. The Levitatr also has a nifty built-in kickstand, perfect for supporting your tablet or other gadget at angels from 20 to 30 degrees.

At this point, the Levitatr is in the latter phases of prototyping, and will need your backing to get into production. James is currently raising funds over on Kickstarter, and a pledge of $79(USD) or more will get you one of the Levitatr keyboards should the project hit its goal of $60,000 in the next 41 days. Higher pledges will get you a special limited-edition version, or multiple keyboards to share with your friends.

Maybe James can use a little bit of the funds he raises to get a better microphone for the next time he shoots a promotional video.

The film is placed upon the Magic Trackpad. You can use different functions, from directional keys, page up, page down, etc.  Each kit comes with three different “key” configuration overlays for you to choose from. One even combines the numeric keyboard and trackpad. There’s also one with several programmable keys, which could make this a pretty convenient accessory.

The Magic Numpad kit sells for $29.99 (USD) and you can pre-order it from Mobee, but it won’t start shipping until October.

[via Ubergizmo]

The Minebea COOL LEAF is a completely flat keyboard, with no surface texture at all. Instead, you get a super-shiny mirrored surface, created from “2000 layers of PET film”, whatever that means. A complex grid of force sensors detect your keypresses on the surface. The keys are illuminated from underneath the surface of the mirror, making them easy to see in a darkened room. It also offers an adjustable keypress beep to help provide feedback. Another advantage of the smooth surface is that you’ll never have to worry about dirt getting stuck between keys (although it will surely be a fingerprint magnet).

It offers 108 keys, and connects via USB. It’s listed as working with Windows 7, Vista and XP, but I don’t know why it wouldn’t work with a Mac or Linux computer either.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order the COOL LEAF keyboard from Dynamism for $249.99 (USD). Plus, you’ll never be able to touch-type on this thing, but at least you can see if you have something stuck between your teeth.