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Typing In The Future
I've been looking around for a decent alternative for the keyboard. I'll probably be buying a laptop before too soon, but the small keys will be highly annoying for me, I already know that.
So I started thinking about the various foldable keyboards out there, and figured I needed something with a little more Geek Value.
I found various companies doing laser projected keyboards, and although that system comes pretty close, it has one major problem: "No Shiny Surfaces". Right. In my view that might as well be "Useless 80% of the time". I don't know about you people out there, but my life is dominated by the absence of (non-shiny) surfaces, especially ones I'd like to put my keyboard on.
So I looked onwards using (the still crippled by the way) Google, and found 4 initiatives which deserve the title of Schweet Geek Cuhl:
Keyboard-Independent Touch-TYping
The basic principle of KITTY reminded me very strongly of the Strategema game Data and Kilrami are playing in the episode Peak Performance of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Whereas the other systems (seem) to rely on you touch-typing your way on an invisible keyboard, KITTY employs a technique in which you touch parts of your fingers with other parts of other fingers to type. Every finger is literally wired (much as the Borg have in the aforementioned series), and when the wires from different fingers come in contact with each other, a letter is typed. The advantage being of course that you can waver your hand or whatever, and the system will not respond. Only when the wires make contact is text being typed. The system, once again, seems to be close to release, however, the referenced website went down the afternoon I wrote this, and no dates have been given anywhere. I've dug up this article from Gizmo.com.au referencing the technology, and let's hope the main website comes up soon again.
EDIT: KITTY website is back online as of 23.00 hours CET
5th Dimension Data Gloves
These gloves are the only products which are in retail stage. They have two basic models, one sensor for each finger (Data Glove 5), and one with 2 sensors per finger, combined with abduction sensors for movement between the fingers (Data Glove 16). Both have a wired and a wireless option.
Software support and documentation for these is excellent, covering all Windhowses and Linux (and if you pay extra even Unix through a immensely extended driver complete with API). It uses a standard 9-pin RS-232 interface, an USB converter is optional.
There are two downsides to this system: The software is rather old, but what's worse: If you want something done, you're going to have to do it yourself for everything. There IS a mouse emulation mode, but it only works with the wired, right-hand Data Glove 5 (that's right!).
Second problem: PRICES. Forgetting about the Data Glove 16 (costing over $4000,- in all), the Data Glove 5 price is still ranging around $550,- for the wired version and around $1000,- for the wireless version.
Clearly these aren't meant for consumer purposes or day-to-day office applications, which is too bad.
Samsung Scurry:
Using an array of gyroscopes to detect movement in the fingers it looks like a cybernetic glove or something, and is meant as a replacement for both mouse and keyboard altogether. There is just one problem: The gizmo was first showed in 2001, pretty much after which everything went silent about it. However Googling through numerous gadget pages, I finally came up with this article in the Korea Times (don't worry, it's in English), clearly referencing it as ready to go, but "Samsung is having problems commercializing it". Older newsreports state a price point of about $50,-, this will obviously not be true. This was last December, so I've decided to mail the people involved and ask them directly if they would tell me anything. I'll keep you updated! Other than that not much can be found on the Scurry. The article references a "ring-model" and a "glove-model", but pictures evidently only show the "glove-model". We do know that the latest incarnation (sometimes referenced as Scurry 2) employs both hands through wireless USB. Also notice the design changes from 1st to 2nd incarnation.
Senseboard Virtual Keyboard
Senseboard, once it works, will have a much less obtrusive concept to use as virtual keyboard. As you can see putting on a sort of braces is enough (the only thing I'd worry about is getting sweaty hands). This of course is much much faster and easier than putting sensors on each finger (though I suppose you'll get used to that as well). Through BlueTooth the units are supposed to capture and send the detected motions of your hands & fingers, to be translated by the drivers and eventually be converted into keyboard-only commands. It is therefore no replacement for the mouse. Previews suggest this system is less accurate than the Scurry, however, I regard this info as rather obsolete as they are obviously talking about people who are not used to the system, which was an early prototype.
As with 2 of the other ones described here, the product appears to be almost ready for release with an expected retail price of around $150, the wait is just for some investor to hook in.
LightGlove
The LightGlove is a wristband with a receiver underneath your wrist. This receiver effectively monitors changes in light reception caused by the movement of your fingers. You can thus type in open space.
The project appears to be nearing completion, giving a target price of about $400,- due for release last May, but (as usual) it hasn't been happening. Apparently they're still looking for manufacturers to license the technology to. Bummer.
