We would bet that among the most technologically-inclined of our readership, there are plenty of hunt-and-peck typists. Because of course, typing quickly and from the home row has nothing to do with intelligence, and everything to do with practice and rote muscle memorization. But what if the keyboard was all home row?
That’s right — Google Japan (translated) is back at it with another joke peripheral that happens to be 100% real and open-source. Whether you want to keep your distance from others while you toil at the coffee shop, or really, really want to get into the pair programming thing, this is the keyboard for you. While the prototype was a whopping seven feet long (or wide, whatever), the final version is shorter and friendlier, and can double as a walking stick on those outdoor sanity breaks with the addition of a protective shoe.
As with their mug keyboard, we appreciate the work that went into making this keyboard real just as much as the joke itself. Our favorite factoid has to be that this is made up of 17 different circuit boards, including the control board. Be sure to check out the fairly hilarious promo video after the break.
Via Ars Technica
Nice, but I wouldn’t use it as a rule….
It would take me a long time to get used to using it.
I think it’ll be fine as long as you manage to stick with it.
You could also pretend its a light sabre and walk into a meeting an reenact that scene with “Anikin and the little kids!”
HR might disagree, but if its not entirely broken by that time….
I’m also not sure if it’s in line with my with my workplace environment.
Kids today have it so easy.
In 1984, the IBM PC keyboard in my Tokyo office looked like this.
https://deskthority.net/wiki/images/8/8c/5556-5.jpg
It was an IBM 5556, and each key could represent multiple characters.
I don’t miss it.
https://imgur.com/a/jCwHt
For those times you want to pretend you’re Liberace while coding…
Reminds me of the old adage, “When your world is filled with one-dimensional keyboards, grab a row not a column.”
It’s almost as good as the scrollwheel keyboard. https://youtu.be/9BnLbv6QYcA
That reminded me of the o-phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WazA77xcf0A
I will now think of this keyboard any time I see someone comment “keyboard warrior” on the internet.
Perfect for piano players
if almost where like a piano..
Since I am very modal and play the white keys, I’d suit me fine. I play the analogue version as a single string e-bow slide. A MIDI output would be fun.
I love that the URL includes a literal line.
IMO, Esc and F-keys should be on the left end.
Why not just have a rapidly rotating circular keyboard so that you just have to tap the correct key as it comes past your appendage?