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iTablet Bluetooth Thumb Keyboard & Trackpad Combo

Range — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:26:29 +0000

While it may look easy to type on a touch-screen, it’s really anything but that. Most likely, you’ll end up typing faster using a device with some kind of tactile response. That’s where the iTablet Thumb Keyboard comes in.

I’m not a fan of small keyboards, but in a pinch, they will do the job. The Thumb Keyboard is a wireless, Bluetooth-enabled, backlit keyboard that works with computers, set-top boxes, iOS and Android devices. It also has a trackpad on back, but from what I can tell, that won’t work for iOS or Android devices, only on Windows machines.

It seems like a perfect unobtrusive keyboard, though the fact that the trackpad doesn’t work with the tablet and mobile OSes makes it somewhat limited. The iTablet Bluetooth thumb keyboard is available for £79.99 (appx. $132 USD). That’s a bit pricey in my opinion.

[via OhGizmo! via Ubergizmo]

Desktop Arm Wresting Involves No Actual Arms or Wrestling

Technabob — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:58:52 +0000

If you’re too much of a girly-man to actually arm wrestle your friends, then here’s something that should let you show off your physical prowess without flexing too much muscle.

I actually think they should have called this desktop game “Thumb WrestleMania”, since your arms aren’t going to be doing much more than keeping your hand from falling off while your thumb-mash your way to victory. Arm WrestleMania sets the stage for your big bout, backing each fight with crowd noises, dinging bells and an electronic announcer.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

It’s also perfect for settling office disputes, deciding the fate of employees you may have to lay off, or your next Sophie’s Choice. Now I must warn you, I was a Track and Field master back in the day, so I will take all comers and smash them into the ground with my lightning-quick manly thumb.

You can get your hands on Arm WrestleMania over at Firebox UK for £14.99 (appx. $25 USD).

Thummer: This Synthesizer is All About Expression

Technabob — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:11:24 +0000

If that 312-key keyboard I told you about recently was a little too complex for you to wrap your head around, here’s another electronic musical instrument that I came across, and this one only has 114 buttons. It’s called the Thummer, and its a portable synthesizer that’s capable of creating some really dynamic sounds, thanks to its unique input scheme.

In addition to a set of keys set up on what looks like a modified variant of the Janko Keyboard, the Thummer offers thumb-controlled joysticks and buttons which are placed on the back of the device. The instrument can be played by placing it on a stand or tabletop, or can also be used as a handheld keyboard.

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It’s designed to provide greater range of expression than other musical instruments by providing 7 degrees of freedom while playing. The thumb-operated joysticks let you adjust a variety of sonic attributes such as pitch, brightness and modulation. At the same time, each key on the keyboard is fully pressure sensitive, and can track the velocity and after-touch of each button pressed. From what I can tell, at least one of the prototype designs also includes motion sensor which can be programmed to influence your sounds too.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Thumtronics, the creator of the Thummer haven’t started selling a production model yet, and are looking for investors to make their dream a reality.

[via The Red Ferret Journal]