If you find typing on your tablet device or smartphone a little tricky with your thumbs, a new solution called the KALQ Keyboard might be just the thing for you to speed up your typing.
The KALQ Keyboard offers users a modified keyboard layout, dropping the traditional QWERTY layout for a more unique arrangement of keys, as seen in the picture below.
Design and Development
The KALQ Keyboard has been specifically designed for use on touchscreen tablets and has been developed by researchers at the University of St Andrews. The researchers explain:
“Two-thumb typing is ergonomically very different from typing on a physical keyboard. The QWERTY layout is ill-suited for tablets and other touchscreen devices when typing with both thumbs.
It is established that normal users using a QWERTY on a touchscreen device are limited to typing at a rate around 20 words per minute, which is slow compared to the entry rates users can typically achieve on physical keyboards.”
The KALQ Keyboard aims to address these limitations by optimizing the layout for thumb typing. The keys are arranged in a way that minimizes finger movement and maximizes typing speed. This innovative layout is the result of extensive research and testing, ensuring that it is both efficient and comfortable for users.
Advantages and Availability
One of the primary advantages of the KALQ Keyboard is its potential to significantly increase typing speed on touchscreen devices. Traditional QWERTY keyboards were designed for typewriters and later adapted for computers, but they are not ideal for the smaller, touch-based interfaces of modern tablets and smartphones. The KALQ Keyboard, on the other hand, is specifically tailored for these devices, making it easier and faster to type with your thumbs.
In addition to speed, the KALQ Keyboard also offers ergonomic benefits. The layout reduces the strain on your thumbs by distributing the workload more evenly between them. This can help prevent discomfort and repetitive strain injuries, which are common issues for frequent typists.
If you are interested, the very unique KALQ Keyboard will be available as a free app for Android-based smartphones in the near future. This accessibility means that users can easily download and try out the new keyboard without any financial commitment. The app will likely include tutorials and practice exercises to help users get accustomed to the new layout and maximize their typing efficiency.
The KALQ Keyboard represents a significant step forward in the evolution of typing interfaces. As touchscreen devices continue to dominate the market, innovations like this are crucial for improving user experience and productivity. By rethinking the traditional keyboard layout and adapting it for modern technology, the KALQ Keyboard offers a promising solution for anyone looking to enhance their typing speed and comfort on tablets and smartphones.
Source: : Guardian
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