Twiddler3 is a one-handed keyboard using bluetooth. Idea is you only need one hand to type and the keyboard is very tiny. Typing it is a bit like chording a neck of a guitar.
With Twiddler it takes some time to learn to type fast. I've only typed for a couple of days and I can type 6-8 words per minute. With regular keyboard I can type 34 WPM.
I made a cheat sheet for easier learning of the keys. The keys are arranged in four rows each containing three keys. Each of the four fingers only needs to press one key in a row. The key 'A' is then typed with the leftmost key of top row. If you want to type letter 'K' you press simultaneously the rightmost key of top row and leftmost key of bottom row.
Each key combination is configurable so you can make your own arrangements. What is even better, you can write syllables or even whole words also with a single key combination. There are 81 possible combinations of the basic keys and 26 alphabets in English language so there's some room for you own combinations. I for instance have to add Finnish 'äöå' somewhere. On top of Twiddler3 there's also a joystick that can be used as mouse.
Twiddler3, as the name implies, is not the first of its kind. Here's is a study of learning rates of the first Twiddler:
Expert Chording Text Entry on the Twiddler One–Handed Keyboard
I'm hoping I can use this outdoors, while walking or sitting in a bus.Sometimes it's difficult to write in a moving bus with a tablets touchscreen or notebooks keyboard. I'm quite sure it will be easier to type with Twiddler3.
Ok, this is why I bought Twiddler3. Writing a memo while hiking and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Who cares if the typing speed is a little slower. Who's in a hurry in a place like this?
With Twiddler it takes some time to learn to type fast. I've only typed for a couple of days and I can type 6-8 words per minute. With regular keyboard I can type 34 WPM.
Each key combination is configurable so you can make your own arrangements. What is even better, you can write syllables or even whole words also with a single key combination. There are 81 possible combinations of the basic keys and 26 alphabets in English language so there's some room for you own combinations. I for instance have to add Finnish 'äöå' somewhere. On top of Twiddler3 there's also a joystick that can be used as mouse.
Twiddler3, as the name implies, is not the first of its kind. Here's is a study of learning rates of the first Twiddler:
Expert Chording Text Entry on the Twiddler One–Handed Keyboard
I'm hoping I can use this outdoors, while walking or sitting in a bus.Sometimes it's difficult to write in a moving bus with a tablets touchscreen or notebooks keyboard. I'm quite sure it will be easier to type with Twiddler3.
Ok, this is why I bought Twiddler3. Writing a memo while hiking and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Who cares if the typing speed is a little slower. Who's in a hurry in a place like this?
Marko, you will probably get to ~50 wpm after a couple of months. That's a sitting speed. I yet to test my walking speed.
ReplyDeleteI was going to post update about my progress. At first my speed was 35-40 characters per minute but now the max is 84. I've only been doing 10-20 1 minute exercises per day. I don't think more is necessary. It just takes some time your hands and brain get adjusted.
DeleteYou might also want to try a different layout. Either Tabspace, or my Tabspice.
ReplyDeleteI have to use some kind of Finnish layout with characters äöå so I have to create my own layout.
DeleteMarko, are you still using Twiddler?
ReplyDeleteI took Twiddler with my vacation and when I came back it didn't autoconnect to Windows 7 anymore. I could not find in MS's bluetooth software any command to connect ( because it's "so easy/intuitive" to use). (My earlier Toshiba bluetooth stack had connect/disconnect commands). Seems I have to pair it again but "haven't had a time" right now.
Delete