Scientists at a company called Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) have developed a very interesting touch sensitive surface the claims to be the world’s thinnest. The team the scientists develop a flexible computer keyboard that is as thin as paper and who claim to be capable of transforming any area into a touch sensitive surface. CSR […]
[IFA 2013] We know there are those of you who would prefer to have a thin keyboard over a thick one as it makes transportation much easier as well as having a thin keyboard makes it feel like you’re typing directly on your desk top. But would you want to use a keyboard that measures in a less than half a millimeter thick?
World’s Thinnest Keyboard Measures In At Under Half A Millimeter Thick original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Logitech has been making protective cases and keyboards for a number of tablets for almost as long as tablets have been around. This week Logitech has announced the launch of some new accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets of different sorts. One of those accessories is the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for Samsung Galaxy […]
Logitech is giving its Android tablet accessory line a welcome boost today by launching versions of its Ultrathin Keyboard Folio and Folio Protective Case for Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 range. Both protectors are largely on par with their iPad counterparts, although there’s varying levels of compatibility. The Ultrathin Keyboard Folio (shown above) is built solely for the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, and centers on a Bluetooth keyboard that turns the tablet into a makeshift laptop. The Folio Protective Case (pictured after the break) drops the keyboard, but it’s available for all three Galaxy Tab models. You’ll find both cases in stores this October. The Folio Protective Case will cost $50 regardless of tablet size, while the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio will sell for $100.
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets, Samsung
Source: Logitech
Researchers over at Microsoft such as Andy Wilson have recently invited others folk including the head of Information and Computing Sciences department at SRI, Bill Mark, in order to kick off a discussion on the future of keyboards – or at the very least, the physical QWERTY keyboard that we have all come to know, love, and use on a daily basis. The general consensus among this particular group? Computer keyboards as we know them probably would not have much of a future. This particular group of like minded people claim that newer technologies, including touchscreen displays as well as eye tracking devices will replace the keyboard for most people sometime down the future, although as to the exact time period where that moment will arrive remains to be seen.
Wilson shared, “Eventually, [keyboards] will become more of a niche thing, like programmers for example. You could almost see that with the workstation market. Workstations are going to be these altars to extreme computing, visualization, computational power, Visual Studio. And only a small percentage of users do that.”
Perhaps there is the implication that keyboards will eventually be limited to only a niche market – where they would comprise of professionals or creative experts. Mark continued from where Wilson left off, “When you think about a pen — or something like a pen, going back to a stylus writing in clay — that’s been around for a really long time. That’s because it works very well in certain situations. My personal feeling is that keyboards will be like that. However, I think we’ll be seeing them a lot less …”
The Keyboard As You Know It Could Be Rendered Obsolete original content from Ubergizmo. 
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If you spend a bulk of your waking hours typing away at the computer, you know the value of a solid dependable keyboard. That’s especially true for software developers like Jeff Atwood, who tap away at keys for a living. Dissatisfied with the current state of keyboards, he decided to take matters into his own hands and contacted Weyman Kwong of WASD Keyboards in early 2012 to come up with his vision of the perfect one. More than a year later, and the CODE keyboard was born as the result of that collaboration. Atwood describes it as the “only simple, clean, beautiful backlit mechanical keyboard [he has] ever found.”
Not only are the keys raised and tactile, they’re equipped with Cherry MX Clear mechanical switches, which provide satisfying actuation feedback with none of that annoying clicking noise. There’s also customizable LED backlighting, 6-key USB rollover, navigation keys that double as multimedia controls, a detachable micro USB cable and easily modifiable keys for those who like custom layouts. Weighing in at 2.42 pounds, the CODE promises to be a solid piece of kit, complete with rubber coated feet and a sturdy steel plate mount. Of course, all of that comes at a cost — both the 104-key and 87-key model retails for a hefty $149.99 each. Still, for those who truly love the feel and functionality of a good keyboard, the CODE sounds like it’s worth the premium.
Filed under: Peripherals
Via: Coding Horror
Source: CODE keyboards
If you own an Android tablet and have been wondering why in the Hades you haven’t been able to type numbers on your stock keyboard by long-pressing the top row, it’s time to take a quick peek to see if your fortunes have changed. Version 1.1 of the APK is now available on the Play Store, and it lists the numeric enhancement among the standard bug fixes, tuned layouts for some languages and “stability improvements” listed in the changelog. It’s about time, Google, but better late than never.
Filed under: Tablets, Wireless, Mobile, Google
Via: AndroidPolice
Source: Play Store
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 ]
Logitech has announced two new folio products aimed towards iPad Mini owners who want a bit of protection and a mobile keyboard without bidding farewell to the tablet’s thin form factor. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio and Folio Protective Case are both aimed at the smaller iPad model, and promise to be both ultrathin and […]
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