iTwinge: iPhone dream keyboard?
(Credit:
Mobile Mechatronics)
If you're an iPhone owner who just hates typing on the device's virtual keyboard, Mobile Mechatronics has something for you: the iTwinge, a $30 BlackBerry-style, slide-on keyboard that mounts right on the iPhone.
Now iPhone purists are probably thinking this should be called the iCringe, but if you're heavy into texting and e-mailing and aren't proficient with the virtual keyboard, I can see some merit to using this device. However, it obviously covers up a good 40 percent of the iPhone's screen, which would seem problematic.
According to Mobile Mechatronics, the iTwinge Keyboard is a typing "Skin" for the iPhone that "enables faster and more accurate typing through the use of our patent pending Twinge Technology." Also, according to the company, studies show that an average user will improve their typing speed by 30 percent to 40 percent and reduce typing errors by 70 percent to 80 percent.
The lightweight keyboard sleeve--it weighs an ounce--attaches to the bottom of the iPhone and mimics the iPhone's virtual keyboard (it appears that touching the keys simply transfers the touch to the virtual keys below). According to the company's FAQ section, it slips on and off in a second and is durable (see a video of iTwinge in action here). It's also worth noting that it apparently draws some power from your iPhone, but only a tiny amount.
Mobile Mechatronics indicates that the iTwinge is also a training tool for those transitioning from a phone with a physical keyboard to the iPhone's virtual keyboard and that it has an iPhone app in development that helps "users build muscle memory & improve typing skills."
The iTwinge is scheduled to ship on November 17 and the company is taking preorders now. We assume Mobile Mechatronics has Apple's blessing to sell this, but it's worth noting that Apple has refused so far to approve or create Bluetooth drivers that would let you use a wireless keyboard to type on the iPhone. I've written about the whole iPhone Bluetooth keyboard fiasco in the past, and I still can't understand why Apple wouldn't give its users the option of using a Bluetooth keyboard with the iPhone.
Anyway, what do you guys think of the iTwinge? Is it intriguing and innovative or a waste of money?
(Source: Engadget via ChipChick)
(Credit:
Mobile Mechatronics)
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
If I was developing hardware for the iphone. For get a keyboard! Make a CONTROLLER for gaming !!!!!!
Then I'll be all over that!!! Can I get an "AMEN"?
All from the iphone! Oh yeah, my last phone bill was only $33!!! Everything included (mms, text, phone calls...) No gaming device is this complete!!!
Back to the topic, I can type on this device as good as a regular keyboard!
TAKE YOUR +4 and conform! lol
I remember how long it took to become proficient at typing on a manual typewriter. In that junior high school class you weren't allowed to use the electric typewriters until you could prove your chops on the manual ones. :)
When I got my iPhone the guy at the Apple Store recommended I practice typing on it using the "Notes" application. I did that and it took about two days to get good at it.
Do I want to write epic novels on my iPhone? No of course not, but I don't want to drag my MacBook everywhere I go either. I can type notes to myself on my iPhone and then use that when I get "back to my Mac." I also use the Voice Memos app.
Cash grab toy for Crackberry addicts.
While this isn't the solution I would be looking for... it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see a larger landscape keyboard connected through bluetooth or even cable to the dock connector. This is too much like a blackberry for me.
When people see me type on the iPhone, they always comment about how fast I am, and if they've received messages from me, they know I hardly ever make typos or fail to punctuate correctly. I'm *much* faster on the iPhone than other button-based phones I've had.
1) Yes, you can type without looking. It's like learning to type on a typewriter as a kid. You think you had to look, but if you had a teacher on your case, you'd eventually not look. Try forcing yourself not to look, and soon you'll realize you can touch in the right places.
2) You don't need to be 100% accurate. I miss the right spot all the time, but if you keep typing, most of the time it will correct itself. Note the corrections being made and learn to adjust where you're touching.
3) Most of the time, it's ok to look. Unless you need to be looking at something other than your iPhone. What works for me is to glance back and forth. Take advantage of the fact that the key you touch pops up. Learn to delete the mistakes and keep moving on.
If you actually spend time thinking about how to type faster and more accurate on the iPhone, and then practice, you might find that, like me, you prefer using it.
I agree. It may work and it doesn't bother me (I have a Blackberry and an iPod touch) either, but you simply cannot work it while moving and you have to look. I don't condone walking while texting, but I need the tactile feel of the buttons that a piece of glass just can't handle.
@Kevico_Suave
It is in NO way the same as learning to type on an actual keyboard. How can a button that you actually push, that is always in the same place, that literally has movement under your fingertips, not to mention bumps on the "F" and "J" keys for reference be AT ALL similar to typing on what is a piece of glass? If you mean to say that you can look down for reference 95% of the time and then the phone autocorrects itself for the time when you're not looking down, then fine. Otherwise, I call bulls**t.
Yeah, you "twinge" when you see it. :)
I type fine on my ipod touch.
This is a waste of money. And the time your not typing you have to keep this in your pocket? NOT!
Freudian slip?
Seriously Mechatronics is a Canadian business, is "twinge" a slang word up that way for something other than the dictionary definition?
Talk about irony. Have you all checked out their website? It is heavy on Flash and as such is not as good looking on an iPhone as it is on Mac. Got that? They are selling an iPhone product that is not too accessible from an iPHone. Now before some yahoo jumps in about the iPhone not supporting Flash, the World would be better served if there was no Flash. I will give them points for having a nice "grunge" look to the site, Further more I give them lot of points of not having the music on the site autoplay, that shows some responsible Flash design.
The seem to be tied into a blues band called MonkeyJunk that is is pretty good. I found them on iTunes and bought a few tracks, I particularly like "Give Me Time."
A virtual keyboard is just SOOOO much better.
What I would buy.... is a BT keyboard as an accessory to use for certain tasks. (maybe something like the Apple BT keyboard... as small as possible, but something I can really type on)
These undersized keyboards are pretty useless, which is why Apple's decision to go virtual was such a great idea. (I've owned Palm Treos and have used Blackberrys, so I'm quite familiar with these keyboards.... I can type MUCH faster on the iPod Touch virtual keyboard)
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.
If I was developing hardware for the iphone. For get a keyboard! Make a CONTROLLER for gaming !!!!!!
Then I'll be all over that!!! Can I get an "AMEN"?
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by dragontsd
September 16, 2009 9:16 PM PDT
- This is the most useless accessory ive ever seen....seriously...if you cant handle having a touch only interface, buy another phone...god.
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