Related Sections: Computer Peripherals
Grippity turns the design of the keyboard on its head
The Grippity is a crazy-looking device that's designed to completely change the way you type. You hold it in your hands and type from the back, as you're able to see through the keyboard to your fingers behind it. There are controls for your thumbs up top as well, allowing you to fully control a computer using a grip reminiscent of a video game controller.
It's certainly an interesting idea, although one that would take a very long time to get good at using. Think of how long it took you to learn how to type on a regular QWERTY keyboard, and now envision starting over from scratch. No thanks. In any case, the Grippity should be out in about six months for $100 if you want to give it a shot.
Via Engadget
By Ashley McFarland at 12:13 PM ON 12/06/08
No thanks! I didn't learn to type 90+ wpm for nothing!!!
By Sasha at 6:08 AM ON 12/07/08
I am defensibly gonna get one!!! don't you realize it's made for media center. who cares about your WPM??? when you have to get up and bring the keyboard just to type a search in your library, this one can be a life saver.
By Ashley McFarland at 10:28 PM ON 12/07/08
Huh. I never thought about that aspect of it...I imagine that would be a time-saver indeed.
By LJ at 5:01 PM ON 12/08/08
Isn't the point of typing NOT to look at your hands? So what's the point of it being see-through? And most keyboards fit 99% of hands -- this looks like it will require some lengthy phalanges to operate it properly.
By Jen at 6:29 AM ON 12/10/08
The point might be *trying* to type blind, but how many people do it? Even experienced computer users sometimes need to look at the keys, so it makes perfect sense for them to be see-through.
(Although I wouldn't want to use it after spending all this time learning to use a regular keyboard).
By PeterD at 4:40 PM ON 12/10/08
I don't see how this is useful. Aside from the fact that your fingers will be in the wrong orientation, requiring you to learn how to type all over again, look at the middle of the 'keyboard' above. The model's fingers are nowhere near the center keys (such as 'y') and it would require and awkward stretch to reach. There are wireless, compact keyboards available already, so this is little more than a gimmick, and not even a good one.
By Hip2b2 at 12:13 PM ON 12/21/08
as a BlackBerry user, I wonder about the benefits of the "type from the back" aspect. It would make perect sence to me to emulate a "normal" BB keyboard for such a device.
I would certainly take a no risk approach to testing this though as the general form factor has some appeal.
By foxelein at 11:42 PM ON 12/21/08
ha... :) quating from "ashley".. me too.. rather i'm using my foot typing.. design is good but the typing.. rather better using it in touch screen than this..
By GreenPenguin at 6:58 PM ON 01/24/09
I think it's interesting. But for those of us who do type and agree sometimes, though, rarely look at the keyboard, there would be a better way to design this. When typing the fingers sit on the home row (asdf jkl;). With the hands inverted the designer should have moved all the letters around so that even coming from a regular keyboard you're not learning 'all new' keystrokes but rather just getting accustomed to the 'orientation.' Split the keyboard in half rotate each side inward and leave all the letter placements intact. It will 'look' odd with the letters but your fingers will be in the same direction as they are used to.
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GreenPenguin:
I think it's interesting. But for those of us who do type and agree sometimes, though, rarely look at the keyboard...More »