Keyboard

2018: Why we use 150 years the inconvenient keyboard

On October 13, 2018 on the website MIT Technology Review there was a publication devoted to the fact that the mankind of nearly 150 years continues to use keyboards in spite of the fact that they cannot be considered really convenient. At the same time the set of the developments deserving attention for more convenient text entering and control of computers is created.

One of the main reasons preventing replacement traditional QWERTY keyboards on more modern and convenient solutions, experts consider inertial force. On such keyboards parents, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers learned to print.

The keyboard for Mac-computers

We went in cycles — the associate professor of computer sciences of Brigham Young University Frank Jones says. — We teach children how to use QWERTY keyboard because it everywhere. Why everywhere? Because we teach children to use it.

Clinical professor of physical therapy in New York University Kevin Weaver agrees that now it is convenient to people: they do not need to create new keyboards which can add a problem with ergonomics.

The classical option of the history of the keyboard layout QWERTY is rather widely known. It  says that one of  inventors of the typewriter, Christopher Latham Sholes, faced when  designing the mechanisms  a technical issue. Professional typists gathered during  the work such print speed that by  fast clicking of several letters in a row levers with  letters  did not manage to depart from  the roller with  paper and  were got jammed.  In response to  permanent claims of Sholes solved this problem, having placed letters on  the keyboard so that as much as possible to slow down a print speed: the letters which are often used in  combinations were located  far apart.

Nobody tried to dispute use of QWERTY layout as the standard, but many devices which can theoretically replace keyboards were created.

The promising device develops the Israeli startup  of Tap Systems. It is about the wearable Bluetooth controller executed in the form of Tap Strap brass knuckles. He "transfers" percussions by fingers to letters, digits and characters and allows "write" on any surface. 

Tap Strap

Tap Strap worth $180 represents a plastic belt with openings for each finger. The device can be carried both on right, and on left hands. It will recognize 31 movements by fingers and "transfers" them to letters, digits and characters which then are transmitted through Bluetooth on the smartphone or the tablet. For example, vowels can be "written" single percussion of each finger.

Approach of Tap has high potential for virtual reality (VR),  unlike  the tablet or the PC, the user of the VR headset moves more often and   does not sit  on site  during the sessions in  virtual space. Standard input devices limit freedom. At the same time  wearing spectacles virtual reality simply  you will not see the standard keyboard so without skills the blind person of printing of sense from  it  will not be. Therefore in  Tap consider that "the keyboard on  fingers" will become a good alternative.

Google in 2015 showed the Project Soli mini-radar changing the principle of interaction of the person with the electronic device. The gadget just allows to place a hand over the sensor and to move the fingers to enter the text.

widdler

Development of the Twiddler device combining functions of the keyboard and a mouse was perspective. At the same time the gadget works as the remote control and it can be held with one hand. It is used as the peripheral device for work and games. Twiddler is applied with notebooks, desktops and smartphones based on Android.^[1]

1978: A keyboard prototype in Apple

Founders of Apple Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak with a keyboard prototype, 1978.

See Also

• Ergonomics and hygiene of a workplace at the computer

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