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A Glass Touch Keyboard and Mouse is Near Reality

by - source: Kickstarter

There is an intriguing project on Kickstarter that has people talking.

Jason Giddings wants to build a touch keyboard and mouse built in glass--and it looks like he'll be able to meet his $50,000 goal.

As stunning as the design of the keyboard and mouse may be, it may even be more amazing that Giddings is using a fairly simple technology to make it work. He uses a technology called FTIR (Frustrated Total Internal Reflection). LEDs placed on the frame of the glass surface send infrared light through the glass, which is reflected to cameras built into the keyboard base. The cameras determines the location of the touch and sends the data to the computer. There is no information on how fast and accurate the process is; and there is no haptic feedback, so the user would have to look at a screen to see whether or not a key target has been hit.

As of Tuesday morning, Giddings had collected only $5000. By noon, the number had jumped to $36,700 and 150 people who are convinced that the idea is compelling enough to spend money on. 11 people gave $150 to receive a future touch mouse, 12 gave $250 to get a touch keyboard, 76 gave $350 to get both and 3 people gave $1200 to get prototype and production units.

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alhanelem 11/30/2011 7:08 AM
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-17+

i wonder how long the glass stays clean and if its durable enough to last for a few years

LuckyDucky7 11/30/2011 7:17 AM
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-9+

So when some user brings his fists down on the keyboard, what happens to it?

(Also, how hard is it to integrate small motors into the keyboard's base so that when you press a key it fools your brain into thinking you hit it? That tech's been on smartphones for years!)

apercu 11/30/2011 7:27 AM
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-10+

This doesn't seem like a good idea... No more resting fingers on your keyboard. That won't be tiring after hours of typing. :P

kcorp2003 11/30/2011 7:27 AM
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nice idea. similar to mine except with the cameras. i welcome it! however the mouse design won't work for gaming. the mouse is more of a portable track pad.

dark_knight33 11/30/2011 7:28 AM
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LuckyDucky7 :
(Also, how hard is it to integrate small motors into the keyboard's base so that when you press a key it fools your brain into thinking you hit it? That tech's been on smartphones for years!)



Funny, I always turn that off. Why do you need the phone to vibrate to know you've hit a key? You're looking right at the phone while you type! The click sound, letter highlighting, and actual typing on the screen aren't enough? With how quickly someone like me types on a desktop sized keyboard, the sensation would quickly become aggravating, as it would simply feel like a steady vibration. Not to mention, I think it would numb your wrists after a while.

Also, I think it's kind of ridiculous to look at this concept and complain it doesn't have enough features. Last I checked, they don't build smartphone tech on kickstarter budgets.

archange 11/30/2011 8:40 AM
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-5+

Really cool. Ideal for the company manager, the type who never has to actually use the cutting edge computer sitting on his desk. Plus points on the "wow" factor.

Judging by the looks, it should drive Apple fans wild.

thesnappyfingers 11/30/2011 8:43 AM
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-6+

i'll stick with the $30 keyboards.

Anonymous 11/30/2011 8:59 AM
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jezus53 11/30/2011 9:43 AM
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asmetoo :
Why do people keep trying to fix things that are not broken?



Better question, why do people think tech for smartphones/tablets/laptops/desktops would be great to incorporate into smartphones/tablets/laptops/desktops? Just because it works great for one thing does not mean it is best to bring it to the other. Denim works great for jeans, but I wouldn't think about wearing a t-shirt made out of denim because that just doesn't work.

LuckyDucky7 11/30/2011 9:44 AM
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Quote :Judging by the looks, it should drive Apple fans wild.


You spelled price wrong.

enforcer22 11/30/2011 9:57 AM
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dark_knight33 :
I think it's kind of ridiculous to look at this concept and complain it doesn't have enough features..



it types words and clicks on icons.. its a mouse and keyboard what other fetures does it need.

claydavis 11/30/2011 10:02 AM
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It looks so impresing. But it is confusing how to use it.

ProDigit10 11/30/2011 10:17 AM
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HartSh 11/30/2011 10:33 AM
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-7+

I like buttons just as they are. Anyone else?

manin17 11/30/2011 10:53 AM
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-1+

that is just amazing as far as these are not expensive:P

alyoshka 11/30/2011 11:49 AM
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-2+

It looks really cool though the usage may vary but in a surreal office setup it really sets in.... great job... redefining elegance I guess.

lassik 11/30/2011 12:08 PM
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-1+

Looks nice, but it wouldn't be nice to use.

Has far more cons than it has pluses...

southernshark 11/30/2011 1:41 PM
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Glass keyboards will be all the rage with our future Cyborg Masters.

nottheking 11/30/2011 2:24 PM
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dark_knight33 :
Funny, I always turn that off. Why do you need the phone to vibrate to know you've hit a key? You're looking right at the phone while you type!


I take it you're not actually a typist, but a "hunt-and-peck" sort of person. As someone who can average around 140 WPM, I can vouch that the tactile feedback is rather important; I actually make more mistakes on a full-size laptop keyboard simply due to the reduced stroke distance. It's slower still when I'm using a touchscreen.

southernshark 11/30/2011 6:45 PM
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nottheking :
I take it you're not actually a typist, but a "hunt-and-peck" sort of person. As someone who can average around 140 WPM, I can vouch that the tactile feedback is rather important; I actually make more mistakes on a full-size laptop keyboard simply due to the reduced stroke distance. It's slower still when I'm using a touchscreen.




Because you are human..........

Our future cyborg masters will not need such sensory data to register the keystrokes, hence their obsession with glass keyboards.

zak_mckraken 11/30/2011 7:02 PM
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southernshark :
Because you are human..........Our future cyborg masters will not need such sensory data to register the keystrokes, hence their obsession with glass keyboards.


They won't need keyboard at all, they will just interface with the mother computer and stream the commands to end our world.

rooket 11/30/2011 8:43 PM
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-2+

This doesn't look like a good idea. People will want to press buttons. This glass keyboard is well... a flat slab of glass. That would suck.

dalmvern 11/30/2011 8:48 PM
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So aside from looking cool, what is the real benefit of a glass keyboard or mouse? Not that I would ever want to use one, I am just wondering why someone would want to make one.

thesnappyfingers 11/30/2011 9:31 PM
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Quote :So aside from looking cool, what is the real benefit of a glass keyboard or mouse? Not that I would ever want to use one, I am just wondering why someone would want to make one.


Perhaps durability, spill coffee on the keyboard or mouse, wipe it off with a terry cloth and your good to go?

the item could most likely made water resistant with some gaskets strategically placed in several locations.

despite this potential feature I am still still going to be purchasing the $30 boards.

sirmpa 11/30/2011 10:38 PM
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-0+

that glass keyboard & mouse look cool .
but would but be hard to use !
because you'd have to clean it all the time you where using it .

i just keep using my old school IBM from the late 80's .

and yes its vary heavy like 4+ pounds but it works for me .

i have had new KB but they've all died !!!!!!!!!!

so back to old reliable i go .

the things heavy, loud & is messing 2 key on the number pad
but yet it's still kike n !!!!

if it's not broke why try in fix's it ???

PS. GOOD DAY ALL & Good luck with your PC hardware

willwayne 11/30/2011 10:49 PM
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-0+

But I just spent $$ on a Das Keyboard!

Anyway, this keyboard has the same problem as that laser keyboard - no ability to touch type. Hand-pecking, everything should be fine, but a real typist won't be accurate with this device without breaking good habits.

eddieroolz 12/01/2011 7:42 AM
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-0+

May be near reality, but not near my desk.

Anonymous 12/01/2011 5:18 PM
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I like it. It'll be ideal when form is more important than function (company receptions, stands at conferences etc), and a lot more hygienic.

After some practice I could touch type on an iPad, so I don't see why i wouldn't be able to touch type on this, especially if he builds in a small vibration or clicking noise when you touch a "key".

I can't see it replacing my keyboard at work but I can see me buying one for my desk at home.

Yadhu 03/05/2012 4:33 AM
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This is gong to be a heavy keyboard

Anonymous 03/06/2012 5:21 AM
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I am often drop my current $10 keyboard when cleaning it. Then I can use the keyboard as usual.
I wonder this keyboard has the same strength? What glue should I prepare?

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