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We marveled at how the Microsoft Surface’s Touch Cover could fit a full keyboard into such a thin space, but it has nothing on a new membrane from CSR. The peripheral combines printed circuitry with a Bluetooth 4.0 chip, producing a flexible, nearly paper-thin (0.5mm) touch layer that can talk wirelessly to most mobile devices and accessories. It should also be highly responsive with less than 12ms of lag. CSR suggests the skin could be used for more than just tablet keyboard covers; it could equally apply to smart paper notebooks and interactive desks. The company hasn’t named any customers for the membrane, but we should see more of it at IFA.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: CSR

Phones are getting bigger; some are even too big for pockets. So what’s the answer to your too-big-to-use-as-a-phone issues? A mini Bluetooth phone that connects to your real phone, of course. Or at least that’s what HTC thinks. Meet the HTC Mini+. Yeah, that just happened.

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We first got a whiff of Sony’s NSZ-GU1 earlier this month from an FCC filing, and now the folks at GTVHacker point out those documents have been updated with more info and pictures. The first new Google TV hardware seen since the $35 Chromecast dongle launched, this device appears to be a blend of the two. A key difference revealed from the pictures however, is an odd stepped design, with the MHL/HDMI port protruding from the bottom of the box. The brief user manual included in the filing may explain this however, as it can draw power via that MHL output and the USB connection to a BRAVIA TV. A tiny diagram in the truncated user manual shows it plugged into the side of a TV like the Chromecast or Roku Streaming Stick. If you’re wondering about the PS4 — yes, we looked, but there’s no indication it’s meant to work directly with the upcoming console.

Like previous Google TV devices, it brings HDMI passthrough to the table along with an IR blaster, remote diagrams (in a separate filing) look similar to the one included with the NSZ-GS7 and GS8. Inside is a low power Marvell DE3108 SoC, 8GB of flash memory and 1GB RAM, however the specs indicate it’s limited to 720p video output. As GTVHacker put it, the entire thing is similar to the Chromecast but with Google TV features. What remains to be seen is when it arrives, how much it costs, and what software tweaks Google and Sony can cook up to make this generation of Android-powered smart TVs more appealing.%Gallery-slideshow76478%

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony, Google

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Via: CJ Heres (Twitter)

Source: FCC (1), (2)

The computer keyboard has been a staple tool for both work and play for decades now, but it’s still one of the most uncomfortable devices to use. Its descendant, the touchscreen keyboard, is even worse. An unusual invention called TREWGrip wants to solve both the problem of ergonomics in desktop computing and the efficiency of typing in mobile devices. How? By putting the keys at the back.

The TREWGrip is a Bluetooth keyboard and air mouse. Inventor Mark Parker split the traditional keyboard arrangement into two halves and then arranged it horizontally at the rear of the device. Ideally this setup – along with its wireless capability – provides a more comfortable typing position because your arms remain close to your body. Because it’s also a mouse, you can lean back and maintain proper posture.

The familiar layout of the keys and the visual cues in front should help with the learning curve of using the TREWGrip. The suction pad in the middle holds mobile devices up to 5.3″ wide.

So how fast can you type on the TREWGrip? Parker and his company held a typing competition where seasoned touch typists were required to use the TREWGrip. The winner, Robert Price, typed 115 words per minute to win the contest. I dare you to type that fast on your touchscreen.

Pledge at least $249 (USD) on Kickstarter to get a TREWGrip as a reward. They’ll need to rally a lot of backers within a few days though; as of this writing they’ve only raised $15,794 of their $100,000 target. I don’t know how hard it is to learn how to type on the TREWGrip, but other than that I would love to use such a device on my desk. But on the go? I think it needs to be more portable – thinner and perhaps foldable – especially since it was meant to be used with smartphones and small tablets.

How productive are you with the iPad? Do you use it primarily to check your emails and attend to whatever outstanding emails that need a reply, and does it double up as your go-to device for gaming whenever you are on the move? If that is the case, then surely you would not need a peripheral like The Executive from iWALK, which arrives in the form of an extremely slim portable Bluetooth keyboard, complete with a kick stand that will be able to transform your iPad into a mobile workstation – with the right apps loaded beforehand, of course. Well, the iPad is not the only device to receive this benefit from The Executive, as it will also play nice with smartphones and other tablets, although I would think that you would be more productive with a keyboard on a tablet rather than a smartphone – since the screen size itself does affect usability by a large margin.

iWALK’s announcement of the availability of The Executive shows that it was specially designed for the professional who want to remain productive on the go without having to add on any bulk. In fact, it measures a mere 0.5” thin, tips the scales at just 1.4lbs, and is capable of connecting seamlessly to any smartphone, tablet or Bluetooth-enabled device thanks to Bluetooth 3.0 technology.

Not only that, The Executive will also integrate a cover that doubles as kick stand, allowing it to offer the relevant support for your device, delivering optimal and hands-free viewing. It will be powered by a high performance Li-Polymer battery which means you need not worry about the device leeching off the power from your tablet, and will require a mere 2 hours of charging via USB, and has been rated to last for up to 300 hours of consistent use or 45 days on standby. Those who are interested can check out The Executive for $69.99 a pop.

Press Release
[ iWALK announces The Executive portable Bluetooth keyboard copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]