Tag Archives: keyboard

Shift from Qwertyfree Helps Visually Impaired at CES



For the visually impaired, typing on a smartphone or tablet keyboard can be tricky as the small keys can be hard to pick out. The team at Qwertyfree are developing a replacement keyboard with just five keys to help those with poor vision. Todd finds out more from Craig.

The idea behind the new keyboard is that in English eight letters are used over 60% of the time so why not focus on those and make those letters the easiest to use. Called Shift (as in shifting gears on a manual transmission), the app has a four areas; up, right, down, left, with a selection of letters in each – it’s a little like the directional pad on a remote. The user swipes once to get a primary letter and then swipes again to get a secondary one, with the keyboard reading out the selected letter. So just swipe left for E, or right for N.

The new Shift keyboard should be available by the end of the quarter, though it may be Android only. No news on price.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Southern Telecom’s Windows Tablet Breaks the Price Barrier at CES



Southern Telecom logoTablet computers have become fixtures in our everyday lives. In recent years, this market has exploded, with multiple vendors releasing many new products. One of these companies is Southern Telecom, who showed off its new Windows tablet at CES 2015.

Scott spoke with Isaac from Southern Telecom. Isaac explained that his company’s new Windows tablet runs the “full-blown” version of Windows and also comes with a full-sized keyboard. The tablet will ship with 32gb of onboard storage and a Micro-SD card slot. This tablet should sell for the impressive price of $249 and will be available in May of this year.

Interview by Scott of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

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Add a Full-Sized Keyboard to your Mobile with TREWGrip at CES



TREWGrip logoPeople tend to use their smartphones differently than they do their desktop or laptop computers. It’s easy to take notes or photos on a mobile device. However, if your project requires a lot of typing, you’ll probably want to utilize a larger keyboard. TREWGrip provides an efficient solution that combines the best aspects of mobile devices with the easier to use keyboards that come with computers.

Scott met up with Mark Parker from TREWGrip. The TREWGrip is a handheld keyboard, air mouse, and game controller. It can be used with smart TVs and desktop computers. They took a regular keyboard, split it, and rotated the keys so that people could hold the keyboard in their hands and type at the same time. It is still a QWERTY keyboard, so your muscle memory from typing will remain the same.

The back of the TREWGrip contains a built-in mobile dock. Put a docking plate onto your smartphone (or inside the back of its case) and the smartphone can now adhere to the TREWGrip and be paired via Bluetooth. In addition to a smartphone, you can dock a mini tablet that is up to 5 and a half inches wide.

Now, you can use the TREWGrip to type and take notes directly into the mobile device. There is a map of the keys on the back of the device for those who are not “touch typists.” Press a key, and that key lights up for you on the map. The TREWGrip also lets you move the mouse on your device by tilting the keyboard. TREWGrip will be shipping in March of 2015 for a target price of $249.00.

Interview by Scott of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

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Fleksy Replaces Android Keyboard with Eyes Free Keyboard



Fleksy
Fleksy

Ionnis Verdelis of Fleksy joined Don and I on the TPN CES Livestream action. Fleksy is a software keyboard technology to enable eyes free keyboard for mobile and wearable devices. Fleksy replaces the stock keyboard and although it doesn’t have swipe technology, it does see how you press the screen. Fleksy technology has a predictive correction technology to correct errors.

If you need larger letters, or a specialized keyboard, this will help people with sight issues. The app is available on Android and iOS devices with a 30 day trial ($3.99 after).

To check out Fleksy, goto Fleksy.com

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Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Don Baine of The Gadget Professor


Seal Shield Computer Keyboards Control Infection in the Dishwasher



SealShield_keyboardDid you know your keyboards at home and at work are the dirtiest places in our lives? Seal Shield knows and they’ve created the best solution out there, a completely washable keyboard line that’s actually dishwasher safe! Health Tech Weekly host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic got the chance to chat with SealShield CEO Brad Whitchurch in the digital health pavilion at the International CES conference this year about their brand new products for the office and home.

The Seal Shield line of washable keyboards is the perfect solution for health care workplaces where infection control is among the biggest concerns right now. By preventing the spread of infection, patients heal faster and are sent home sooner, reducing health care costs to all of us. The Seal Shield site says it best:

“Today’s active life is touch-dependent. Whether it is a computer keyboard or mouse, a TV remote, an MP3 player, earphones or cell phones, the technology that is so interlaced with all we do depends on touch. Yet, common touch surfaces can harbor bacteria and spread infection. As a result, consumers are looking to buy products that have antimicrobial protection …”

In addition to the keyboard line, there is also a complete line of mobile device protection products for tablets and smartphones. Brad and Jamie show several of the products in this video, showing off their water proof nature as they are submerged in a tub of water and still work like new. You can find the whole line of Seal Shield products at their website at SealShield.com. All of the products in this video are available now!

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Find more segments from the Digital Health Pavilion at CES 2014 both here and at the Health Tech Weekly podcast site with host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic.


Look like a Genius with Keyboard Shortcuts



KBcoversLogoProfessional video editors, Photoshop experts and CAD operators all know that the secret to mastery of a complex application is not to be found mousing around through stacks of menu items, right and left clicking and remembering where the menu choices have been relocated from version to version. Power users know that keyboard shortcuts – where your hands never leave the keyboard and the app becomes an extension of your mind is where real productivity is found. KBCovers helps you move to that keyboard genius level in a quick and easy step, with overlays for Apple notebooks and keyboards. As you begin by typing slowly, you will learn the shortcuts and your speed will increase quickly and smoothly. The covers offer protection and embedded product keyboard shortcuts for many professional apps, in addition to special editions for the visually impaired or those who must operate in low light situations, such as nightclub DJ’s and lighting. Both US and ISO keyboards are available in the $30-$40 range. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Dishwasher Safe Keyboard for Hospital or Home



SealShieldLogoSeal Shield has specialized in waterproofing keyboards for demanding medical and industrial environments – which means that it can take out any abuse that the family computer keyboard might have to endure at the hands of pre-schoolers or careless teenagers. At CES2013, the company introduced the 100% waterproof iPhone case, including waterproof earbuds permitting the user to listen to music while underwater. There is a full selection of mice, keyboards and accessories. The products are ruggedized for industrial and healthcare use, and are fully warranted. SealShield is a single use iPad waterproofing system that can protect up to 90 days. The company has a long history in the medical field and offers anti-microbial coating on the products as well.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Daniel J. Lewis, The Audacity To Podcast.

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Virtual Projection Keyboard



Shrinking Down to Keyfob Size

CTX logoTiny screen keyboard on your smartphone got you down ?  Here’s a way to use any flat surface for a full sized equivalent, with this laser projection keyboard from CTX Virtual Technologies connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You will be able to type on any flat surface on a projected full-sized keyboard ready to go. A second model includes a secondary battery, enabling you to get the benefit of a protective case, virtual keyboard, and battery all in one unit.

 

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TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews


MSI Brings Dragon Edition to CES 2013



MSI Computer Corp designs, manufactures, and markets awesome computers, laptops, notebooks, mainboards, graphics cards, and more. As a gamer, I’d consider MSI next time I’m in the market for a great “gaming machine”. They recently released their GX60 which is gaming notebook that has a SteelSeries gaming keyboard.

You can check out MSI at CES 2013. The MSI suites will be located in the Aria Resort & Casino. They will be showcasing some of their award-winning solutions, including some that are CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honorees. Both the GTX 680 Lightning video card and their limited edition GT70 Dragon Edition are Honorees.


Mionix Rage-Proof Keyboards, Precision Mousepad



We found a company called Mionix at Showstoppers during CES. They were showing off the Mionix Disciple 60, as well as a mouse pad that gives you more precise movements.

The keyboard is the Mionix Deciple 60. It has mechanical switches and a steel plate on it. Keys can be removed so it can be re-configured for MMO gaming. It lasts 50 million keystrokes. It’s thicker cable also brings USB and audio jacks to the back of your keyboard.

The NAOS mouse is also an ergonomic mouse that can do 128 dpsi recognition. However, your surface might be the bigger issue.

The mouse comes with software that can tell you how your mouse is fairing on the surface. Mionix does sell what they call the “World’s Best Mousepad”. This is perfect for gamers or artists that need that precision movement.

The Desciple is $149.99 – $79.99 – and the World’s best mousepad is $49.99.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine