Posted in Microsoft by Conner Flynn on August 6th, 2009
Right now it’s just a prototype, but Microsoft’s pressure-sensitive keyboard may just make typing more efficient. Think about it, what if font size could be changed just by applying a certain pressure. Typos could be reduced by gauging the pressure applied to simultaneously pressed keys in order to determine which one you intended to press. We see gaming potential too.
Microsoft will be showing it off at the User Interface Software and Technology conference in Canada this October. Students attending will be given a sample keyboard and asked to compete with one another in an effort to find applications for the technology.
They stand to win a $2000 prize and special consideration for a spot at SIGGRAPH 2010’s Emerging Technology demos.
I’m not convinced it’s practical with rubber dome technology as you generally have a hard job typing on them lightly at normal speed. Microsoft ideally want to invent some sort of cheap but good linear or lightly clicky mechanism for the keys (or use the already availible mechanical keyswitches if this is going to be expensive anyway).
I’m not convinced it’s practical with rubber dome technology as you generally have a hard job typing on them lightly at normal speed. Microsoft ideally want to invent some sort of cheap but good linear or lightly clicky mechanism for the keys (or use the already availible mechanical keyswitches if this is going to be expensive anyway).