Ars Technica Reviews Controller Keyboard 150
phaedo00 writes "Ars Technica has reviewed the AlphaGrip AG-5 handheld keyboard and mouse. From the article: 'After lots of research and five revisions, the perfectionists at AlphaGrip finally decided that they had a product worthy of marketing, and they released the long awaited AG-5. Although the AG-5 looks strange and intimidating, it is a unique and highly innovative product that deserves consideration, particularly by mobile computing enthusiasts. The AG-5 interfaces with computers via a single removable USB cable. It uses a simple chord-like keyboarding model and an integrated trackball to provide complete keyboard and mouse functionality in a unique form factor that looks a bit like a console gaming controller.'"
Cool.. So.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:2)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:2)
RrrrrRRrrrrrRRrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:2)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:5, Funny)
And I nominate Jupix for the next slashdot cliché!
Votes please?
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:1)
L @ L
I overheard Taco muttering . . . (Score:2)
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:2)
Dunno about that...but, this thing would be useless for surfing for porn..........
Re:Cool.. So.. (Score:1)
Hmmmm....that doesn't make sense.....
Wha huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Wha huh? (Score:2, Insightful)
It looks fine for simple text input, actually, and maybe gaming, but I have my reservations against using this thing for Vi... I hate remapping the keys for anything more complex than a FPS, so configuring each application to avoid keys that are hard to press simultaneously sounds less than tempting. (Does anybody else here use default vim mappings with the dvorak layout, or am
I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:4, Informative)
I like the promise that the virtual keyboards have (e.g. http://www.virtualdevices.net/ [virtualdevices.net] ). While functionly they have some limitations right now (e.g. having to hold your fingers about the infrared keys), over time they are going to get better. At least this solution you could have a full range keyboard without having to lug it around.
-- Jim http://www.runfatboy.net/ [runfatboy.net]
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:5, Informative)
-- Now, on to other things --
I am the proud owner of an Alphagrip. I have only spend a couple of hours with it so far, but I have an important comment that was not mentioned on TFA...
I am a large guy. I am over six feet tall -- and I have large hands.
I find the Alphagrip to be uncomfortable because it was designed for use by smaller hands. When I am holding it to comfortably reach the back keys, my fingers are in the wrong position to easily use the front keys. Similarly, if I can use the front keys, I have difficulty with the back keys.
I am also not entirely sure how to hold this thing either. If it was bigger, I could press my palms against the side. However, as it is, I have to use my fingertips to hold it, which is awkward because those same fingertips are always over one button or another. If you press to hard then you get extra characters that you don't want.
The Alphagrip seems like it has the posibility to be rather nice if it can fit you. But if you have large hands, you might want to reconsider until they make the AG-6.
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:4, Funny)
Of course, this will have some drawbacks, such as when your boss walks into your office, and you forget to turn off the mindreader....and he sees over and over on the screen behind you...
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:2)
was that a confession or part of what your average boss will see? o.o Presumably his wife would have to have been passed out also
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:2)
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:2)
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:2)
Damnit damnit damnit. I suppose I should still try to find one in a brick'n'mortar store to try out, but still, disheartening. Although I don't have a problem with RSI (yet), I'd like to find an inexpensive keyboard to prevent it as much as possible. I'm guessing that an input device like this would help.
And if it confounds my coworkers at the sam
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I'm not sure this is the answer (Score:2, Informative)
Uhmm.... yeah, right. Like the standard keyboard is worth more than a dime-a-dozen.
I'm serious: I treated myself with a Kinesis Ergo Elan (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/elan.htm [kinesis-ergo.com]), and I'm really glad I did--it's a really pleasant keyboard to work with. I only noticed when I first used a standard keyboard after adapting to using the Ergo Elan--not only did it feel uncomfortable, it
wouldn't it have made... (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Real geeks won't use it (Score:4, Funny)
This would eliminate the only exercise they get (typing!). Besides, it requires TWO HANDS.
Also, from the article: If we are successful, the AG-5 will turn out to be just a glimpse of the future of desk-free computing. Desk-free? Where am I going to put my coffee cup?
Re:Real geeks won't use it (Score:4, Interesting)
On the whole a good idea and a great device for alot of people but not for me.
What type of 'web browsing' are we speaking of? (Score:1, Funny)
But what I want to know... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:But what I want to know... (Score:2)
Re:But what I want to know... (Score:2)
Re:But what I want to know... (Score:2)
I'm sure you're more used to the feel of the PS2's, but consider it's ergonomics. You can see the geometric shapes it's made out of. Circles for the d-pad and right-thumb buttons. Then there's
Re:But what I want to know... (Score:2)
Re:But what I want to know... (Score:2)
No Wireless/Bluetooth? (Score:2, Interesting)
I might be open to switching to an alternate input device, but only if I'll be able to use it with my other devices (PDA, cell phone, etc.)
Also, I fear my vi productivity will decrease dramatically with this device...
Looks cool and all (Score:1)
Engelbart Chord Keyset (Score:3, Interesting)
This is Offtopic, but maybe someone here would know...
I've been looking to get a chord keyset similar to the 5-key style that Engelbart created. Picture. [artmuseum.net] I vaguely remember seeing one or two products when i looked a few months back, but nowhere could i find a purchase link.
I guess the question is: does anyone know where i could buy a chord keyset? Maybe some uber-nerdy slashdotter has one laying around i can buy?
Re:Engelbart Chord Keyset (Score:3, Informative)
Downsides: The idiots STILL have not figured out how to generate the Mac command key and that is a large reason why I gave them up. The travel of the keys is too far s
Re:Engelbart Chord Keyset (Score:2, Informative)
I have one here, it's a bit of a pain with IR connection, but once you have the receiver set up it works fine.
The chording style they use here took me literally an hour to learn ~22 letters of the alphabet on, which matched the claim on the manual
I still have their Excellent 1990 PDA, the AgendA http://www.bellaire.demon.co.uk/cykey.htm [demon.co.uk]
ICK (Score:5, Insightful)
None of these alternative keybards have any real benefits. The twiddler was close as you could type while walking down the street or listening during a class without getting everyone's attention. This thing will get professors glaring at you.
Re:ICK (Score:2)
Re:ICK (Score:2)
All users? (Score:1)
I think it just did.
A snowball's chance. (Score:5, Insightful)
They were an integral part of Engelbart's conception--the mouse was intended for use with a five-key chording keyboard.
There is nothing about them that is very difficult or expensive to manufacture. (In fact, common sense says that all things being equal a device with a dozen or so buttons ought to cost less than one with a hundred).
This one must be about the tenth that's made it to the point of being manufactured and sold to the general PC-using public, several marketed at the height of concern about RSI with reasonable evidence that they would be less stressful to use than conventional keyboards.
None of 'em have ever come close to catching on.
Chalk up chording keyboards with leap-week calendars or decimal time or the Single Tax. Ain't gonna happen.
Re:A snowball's chance. (Score:1)
Re:A snowball's chance. (Score:2)
why are you even using a computer young man? Go and play some american football or something.
Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Chordal input could be popularized by someone who builds both the input device and the OS & application stack. The only environments that I think could... uh... incubate such a snowball would be a console or cell phone company. Not Windows or Mac OS computers.
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
I think a palm-sized device with chording keys built in to the edge could be a killer piece of hardware.
Still waiting for a modern device with a Qwerty keyboard as good as the Psion 5MX...
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Chording devices aren't widely *popular* because of the steep learinging curve, not because of them not being packaged with some other complete hardware solution. Honestly, if there was a chording input device for a gaming
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
And what the grandparent said about Apple not being able to do this isn't true, because they *do* make their own hardware also.
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
They could make a portable electronic device with a completely different interface, and that people might be willing to learn chordal input that way, but Apple doesn't have many special powers here w.r
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Re:Nintendo could do it. (Score:2)
Re:A snowball's chance. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:A snowball's chance. (Score:2)
I am interested in these alternative input devices, and even willing to invest some time and effort into practicing with one, but only if there is a payoff in speed. My typing speed on a standard qwerty is pretty decent, around 60 wpm. Any new input device has to offer the potential of beating that for it to be worthwhile. Speed is everything.
The wikipedia article [wikipedia.org] on AlphaGrip says: "According to the site, users can achieve approximately 50 or more
Re:A snowball's chance. (Score:2)
How many people can think at 225 wpm? How many people can sustain clear and coherent thinking at 225 wpm? I type as I hear the words in my head so I can be reasonably sure that I'm not skipping anything; what's the point of communica
Written by an android? (Score:3, Funny)
This just in: The AG-5 is the 'keyboard' of choice for robots, androids, and borg the world over!
home row (Score:2)
- Andrew
Looks good for VR (Score:4, Interesting)
I tried a wireless programmable controller, but the batteries didn't last very long and their seemed to be some latency. This thing should provide all the keyboard commands you could ever need.
stop propogating myths (Score:1, Informative)
Stop [earthlink.net] Propogating [straightdope.com] Myths [independent.org]
They aren't guilty (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:stop propogating myths (Score:1)
If you've ever used a typewriter with hammers you can attest that even with the design as it is, it's pretty easy to end up with a jam.
Re:stop propogating myths (Score:2)
None of the links you provide contradict the claim in the cite.
"Decrease the frequency of mechanical failure" and "slow typists down" are not necessarily the same goal.
Re:stop propogating myths (Score:2)
Actually, your links don't dispute the parent's statement. QWERTY was created to reduce mechanical failures as its primary design goal. The myths involved in the QWERTY design are:
In fact, your links point out that:
Re:stop propogating myths (Score:5, Informative)
What are you talking about? According an article [earthlink.net] referenced from your first link [earthlink.net]:
This indicates that the QWERTY layout is a direct result of the inventor attempting to prevent mechanical jams in the device. The submitter of the article wrote:
The myth to which you are alluding, however, is that Sholes developed the QWERTY layout to decrease the speed of typists (admittedly, to prevent the same jamming of typebars), when, in fact, the QWERTY layout acheived exactly the opposite effect (it allowed typists to type faster because jamming was less likely). The submitter is not claiming that Sholes was trying to slow down the typists (a myth) but that he was trying to reduce typebar jams (the truth).
Getting mine today! (Score:1)
Sweet mother of mercy! (Score:1, Redundant)
There's a need for some kind of new input device, but I dont think this is it.
Re:Sweet mother of mercy! (Score:1)
I personally prefer the Kinesis Advantage Pro USB [kinesis-ergo.com].
I bought One...My thoughts... (Score:5, Informative)
The keyboard makes extensive use of shift buttons to accomplish things. Get used to some finger acrobatics. I still have not quite got the hang of Control-Alt-Delete on this thing.
The Built in Mouse....
Personally this is the one true downfall in my opinion. The roller ball is WAY to small, and its far far far to slow it takes me far far to many rolls over the ball to get the mouse around even a 1024/768 acreen, never mind the 1280/1024 I typically run at. The performance in games (The reason I originally thought this might be a useful product) is basically worthless at this point. I went so far as to hack the registry to increase the mouse responsiveness to the maximum allowable, a setting you can't even do in the crontrol panel applet. The mouse still isn't acceptably responsive. In fact it seemed barley changed on the AG-5 despite the fact that another mouse on the same machine now zips the cursor accross the machine so fast you have to take a second after the movement to find it again.
Re:I bought One...My thoughts... (Score:2)
How is button noise/feel? (Score:2)
May not be ergonomic (Score:5, Informative)
"The AlphaGrip may not be ergonomic. The company has not conducted the requisite studies to make that determination."
Re:May not be ergonomic (Score:2)
Just legal boilerplate (Score:2)
Notice that most input devices you buy these days comes with a little leaflet on ergonomics that nobody reads. Why do they bother? Because when you get RSI and sue them, they can say, "Hey, did you read the leaflet?"
has voice recognition been abandoned? (Score:2, Interesting)
Still waiting... (Score:2)
...for an alternative keyboard that rivals the now-deceased TouchStream. This one doesn't look like it'll do the job, although it does at least combine keyboard and mouse...
(If you've never used integrated keyboard/mouse input, you're missing out. Text editing, in particular, benefits hugely. Some things are far easier to do with the mouse, but power users stick to the keyboard to avoid the switch time.)
No good if you don't have all your fingers (Score:4, Insightful)
[*] Ignoring the thumb-vs-finger debate.
Re:No good if you don't have all your fingers (Score:2)
Who, specifically, is this for? (Score:3, Insightful)
This is an honest question: who is this thing for?
Re:Who, specifically, is this for? (Score:2)
Exactly. That's how I use it.
If you're using both hands to hold the controller, what's holding up the tablet?
I wear a special lectern-like structure and try to remain aroused all the time. It's hard work, but on the other hand, I've become very popular.
Re:Who, specifically, is this for? (Score:2)
Re:Who, specifically, is this for? (Score:2)
Re:Who, specifically, is this for? (Score:2)
Man -- wish I could moderate a discussion I'm taking part in. +4 Informative, methinks.
Console controllers (Score:3, Interesting)
Why not a Nintendo Revolution style mouse? (Score:3, Interesting)
But we already have a solution: the Nintendo Revolution!
The idea is simple: you move the mouse cursor through tilting the device. It requires no extra buttons and is perfectly natural and intuitive, since you're already holding the thing in the air. Basically, it would be a pointing device that you could really point with. Finally, you could mouse around without interrupting your typing! There would be all sorts of ways the device could detect its orientation. I'm not sure which method will be best, though the Nintendo Revolution controller will probably provide us with good clues. So why not build the innards of the Revolution controller inside of this keyboard? Apart from being useful for living room applications, it would just be awesome for games! Consider for example a game like GTA where you turn the car's steering wheel by tilting the controller!
If these guys don't build that in, I hope someone else does. Hell, I'd pay $200 for a wireless tilt-driven one of these (that fits large hands).
Gryo, not the tasty kind (Score:1)
Re:Gryo, not the tasty kind (Score:2)
5 revisions and they couldn't make it wireless? (Score:2)
Re:Well.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Well.... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Well.... (Score:3, Informative)
I only point this out because the
Re:Well.... (Score:2)
Re:Well.... (Score:2)
Maybe next time you can read all the way to the end of the summary? It's one paragraph, for crying out loud.
Re:Well.... (Score:1)
Re:Well.... (Score:5, Funny)
I call that the telephone.
Re:Well.... (Score:2)
Re:Well.... (Score:2, Funny)
I might call it an Alphanumeric Glyph-based Human Interface Peripheral Device. Or an "Anghip" device... if it hadn't already been named, that is.
Or an "Anguhip" for Alphanumeric glyph-based USB human interface peripheral.
Too bad, though. It might sound cooler than "keyboard".
English Alphanumeric Glyph-based Loader Entry (or 'eagle') HID device????
L @ L
Re:Well.... (Score:2)