Computers

Mouse/keyboard hybrid provides fast single-finger typing

Mouse/keyboard hybrid provides fast single-finger typing
One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters
One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters
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The peripheral presents two sides - one for mouse control and the other for entering text
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The peripheral presents two sides - one for mouse control and the other for entering text
Users can also program their own commands into the device, assigning certain tasks – like opening a particular webpage – to a combination of swipes and tilts of the device
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Users can also program their own commands into the device, assigning certain tasks – like opening a particular webpage – to a combination of swipes and tilts of the device
The peripheral is designed to work with all electronic devices already compatible with a keyboard and mouse, including Windows, Linux, Android and OS X devices
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The peripheral is designed to work with all electronic devices already compatible with a keyboard and mouse, including Windows, Linux, Android and OS X devices
One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters
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One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters
The other side of the device is a more conventional touch surface, with left and right clicks in the appropriate places, and a section for scrolling in the center
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The other side of the device is a more conventional touch surface, with left and right clicks in the appropriate places, and a section for scrolling in the center
You simply flip the device over to switch between mouse and keyboard modes
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You simply flip the device over to switch between mouse and keyboard modes
The system is designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of it's usual form
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The system is designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of it's usual form
The peripheral takes two AAA batteries, and if users plug in multiple USB sticks, it's possible to switch between controlling the different devices by means of a single programmable gesture
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The peripheral takes two AAA batteries, and if users plug in multiple USB sticks, it's possible to switch between controlling the different devices by means of a single programmable gesture
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A new crowdfunding campaign is looking to change how we interact with our PCs and other smart devices, providing users with an all-in-one solution that combines keyboard and mouse. The peripheral, known as the Nydeum Sense, lets users trace out letters on a contoured touch surface, while providing a more conventional touch experience on its second side.

Central to the new product is what the company calls "digital alphabet." One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters.

It's designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of its usual form (see below), traced out on a tactile and quickly familiar grooved surface. According to the product's creators, with a little practice it's possible to type at speeds of up to three characters a second.

The system is designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of it's usual form
The system is designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of it's usual form

The other side of the device is a more conventional touch surface, with left and right clicks in the appropriate places, and a band for scrolling in the center. You simply flip the device over to switch to mouse mode, and use the touch surface to zip the cursor around.

The team has been working on the device for quite a while, with the first prototype being completed back in 2010. At that stage, it used an input method similar to morse code, but the designers quickly realised that the solution was too complicated for everyday users.

The digital alphabet system the team went on to develop is pretty versatile, reportedly working with numerous languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Hebrew. Users can also program their own commands into the device, assigning certain tasks – like opening a particular webpage – to a combination of swipes and tilts of the device.

You simply flip the device over to switch between mouse and keyboard modes
You simply flip the device over to switch between mouse and keyboard modes

The peripheral is designed to work with all electronic devices already compatible with a keyboard and mouse, including Windows, Linux, Android and OS X devices. It takes two AAA batteries, and if users plug in multiple USB sticks, it's possible to switch between controlling the different devices by means of a single programmable gesture.

As with all crowdfunding efforts, you can't actually go out and buy the Nydeum Sense right now. What you can do is pledge your cash, and providing the project hits its US$100,000 target and everything goes to plan, you'll receive one of the first units in February 2017. Prices start at US$80 for a Nydeum Sense with a single USB stick connector.

Sources: Nydeum, Kickstarter

View gallery - 8 images
3 comments
3 comments
Imran Sheikh
not practical at all..
Marco Gonzalez
The article falls short to show that you replace both the keyboard and the mouse not only in a computer, but on several smart devices capable of using text and pointing input. You would get to control presentation, surf the web in a several smart tvs or watch movies with a simple device saving space and avoiding to be plugin here and there. You don´t need a full keyboard to type search terms or type URLs while browsing the web, stream services, visiting your bank account or even to type a tweet. I encourage you people to check the Kickstarter page with more info on this device. It is more practical that it first appears to be
Robert in Vancouver
You have to learn to type in a new language, so I can't see many people wanting to use this device. Where is the upside?