Technabob » type

Tiny Backlit Wireless Keyboard: Fat Fingers Need Not Apply

Technabob — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Do you have teeny tiny fingers? Do you like to type? How ’bout in the dark? Well have I got a deal for you. This pint-sized keyboard is perfect for small hands, typing with the lights off.

Did I happen to mention this mini illuminated keyboard is wireless too? Just plug the included dongle into a spare USB port, plunk a pair of AAA batteries into the keyboard, and click-clack to your hearts content. And in case you can’t tell how small this keyboard really is, check out the size comparison photo below:

While I probably wouldn’t find this keyboard useful for my workspace, it’s actually a great idea for those of you with home theater or media center PC setups. No more fumbling in the dark, and no giant keyboard sitting on the coffee table anymore.

Of course, if you’ve got adult-size fingertips, you might end up typing WEWEWE.,TYERCVNMASBNOPBN.,CVOPM> when you really want to visit my site. If you don’t mind the occasional typo, can get your (tiny) hands on one over at Brando for $47 (USD).

Giant Keyboard Requires Massive Fingers (or Toes)

Technabob — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:28:18 +0000

If you’ve ever complained that the keys on your computer are too small for your fingers, have I got a keyboard for you. This ginormous keyboard is so big – How big is it, Bob? – It’s so big that in order to type on it, you need to walk almost 20 feet to get from one end of the keyboard to the other.

Built by electronics hacker Maurin Donneaud, the huge keyboard rug rolls out onto the floor, and lets your type with your socks on. In order to make the larger-than-life keys work, Maurin had to punch hundreds of individual holes under each letter to ensure that the conductive switches beneath the fabric would trigger when walked on.

The whole thing kind of reminds me of the giant piano keyboard that Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia stomped all over in Big.

[Flickr via Ladyada via Hack a Day]

My Touch Keys Adds Tactile Feedback to iPhone, Sorta.

Technabob — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:58:57 +0000

Do you love the iPhone, but struggle with the smooth on-screen keyboard? Personally, I’ve found it pretty easy to use, but the touchscreen definitely doesn’t offer the touch-typing feedback that you get with physical keys. This new, low cost screen overlay for the iPhone claims to provide tactile cues to your fingertips to help them find their way.

My Touch Keys is a overlay that sits on your iPhone’s screen and has cutouts which line up with the location of the on-screen keyboard (portrait mode only). The static-cling sheets use their subtle divots to give you feedback on the location of the keys, even if you’re not looking at the screen.

I’d be concerned that the ridges on the film might get in the way of other, non-keyboarding activities, but the makers claim that you can still use the screen without interference. At just $7.99 a pair (including shipping), it’s not too much of a gamble, so if you have any desire to improve your iPhone typing accuracy and speed, you can grab one here.

[via Phonemag via Ubergizmo]