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i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard

Frazier Barretto, May 28, 2007 1713 hrs IST

With 'compact, simple and innovative' becoming synonymous with gadgets, virtual reality takes it a step further. Is this the face of the future?

Expert Rating:

Great Concept, Portable, Battery life.

Requires only flat and solid surface, Price.

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EXPERT REVIEW

Usability

The keyboard, as I earlier mentioned, projects a laser keyboard on a surface. The surface for both, device placement and the projection space should be solid, else you won't be able to press the buttons formed and the device will turn off. The projection shouldn't be further than palm's length. It's not like the projection can't cover any further distance, it's just that keystrokes won't be recognized beyond a palm's length.

Typing on a surface is not the most comfortable thing and that makes this keyboard defy the ease of use aspect. There is definitely no way it can replace the conventional hardware keyboards. In the first place, it was never meant to do that. The missing response or feedback that we get from a standard keyboard is what makes this keyboard feel very odd. Add to that, you'll be seen typing on a surface, which may make you look stupid, that is, if you care.

Initially when I just started using the keyboard, I couldn't type an alphabet without making a mistake. After a little practice I could type correctly with the use of just one finger instead of all. It took a lot of practice to get a hang of it and use all my fingers to type. But even after using it for quite some time there wasn't a single line I typed out without making a mistake.

In fact, I did start typing out this review on the virtual keyboard, but then it felt like it would take forever, considering the typos I'll have to keep rectifying (not happening!); therefore, I immediately switched over to a standard keyboard. Moreover, the average projection distance, projects a small keyboard on which you can't really type easily.

The projected keyboard is a QWERTY and displays almost all keys of a standard keyboard. What is missing is the numerical pad and function keys (F1, F2, etc.). Instead, there is an 'fn' key which when used with other strokes makes for these combinations.

Battery Life

The Virtual keyboard comes with an inbuilt Li-Ion battery. The company states that a single charge will last you 2 hours of continuous typing. In reality, the battery lasted for about 1 hour 30 - 40 minutes. This span of battery life is obviously short for a person who's going to use this for a lot of typing.

Verdict

The i.Tech Virtual Keyboard will set you back by Rs. 14, 500. It comes with a year's warranty. That spilled, it will only appeal to people with deep pockets. Not only that, it is more of a WOW product than a useable product at the moment. It doesn't work for more than 2 hours and needs a solid surface. No doubt this technology will be developed to offer a much better product in the future. Then its mass acceptance and production will probably lead to an affordable price as well. Till then, we will just play the wait game or flaunt this futuristic gizmo now; whatever suits you better.

Test unit sourced from: Access Point

USER COMMENTS

its good i am a dealer of computer accessories can u give me the full deatils my cell number is 9895450179

by vimlesh.sharma, cochin, on Dec 04, 2008 05:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

dadass

by assasa, s, on May 21, 2008 05:36 PM, Report abuse Reply

its really looking good

by Praveen Raj.R, Bangalore, on Aug 16, 2007 09:49 AM, Report abuse Reply

its really looking good but you really looking stupid hahahhaha eheheheheh lalalallalalala

by praveen, singapore, on Sep 22, 2007 03:17 AM, Report abuse

THE CONCEPT IS GOOD BUT.... THE PRODUCT ISN'T VERSATILE .............

by ARUN, KOTTAYAM, on Sep 19, 2007 03:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

kahanse kharide is yantra ko koi to batao dost

by manoj bagla, delhi, on Sep 17, 2007 08:52 PM, Report abuse Reply

It seems it is unworkable when considering price. I am looking for a bluetooth key board for my NOKIA N series model. could you anybody know it's availability

by suresh2578, Coimbatore, on Jul 14, 2007 11:17 AM, Report abuse Reply

the product is extremely good. good work done by the members

by suresh, salem, on Jun 07, 2007 10:56 AM, Report abuse Reply

More over it could hurt your finger tips when used longer. Think of bumping your fingertips on a hard surface for the whole. How would that feel?

by Rahul Jawale, Mumbai, on May 29, 2007 01:52 PM, Report abuse Reply

price of i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard

by ghanaiyaji, navi mumbai, on May 29, 2007 10:05 AM, Report abuse Reply

please state the price of i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard

by bhupinder singh, navi mumbai, on May 29, 2007 10:04 AM, Report abuse Reply

The ultimate next gen devices should be Virtual PC or notebook complete with just a special glass to make the screen image. Anyways, for now virtual keyboard and mouse can be good for style consicious people who do not use computer much.

by Next Gen, Virtual World, on May 29, 2007 09:57 AM, Report abuse Reply

Rs. 1450 right price and is ok to try it for gizmo collectors ;)

by GIZMODO, MUMBAI, on May 29, 2007 08:46 AM, Report abuse Reply

Read carefully dumbo GIZMODO, it's 14500 ;-)

by GIZMODO ka baap, ghar, on May 29, 2007 09:33 AM, Report abuse

An honest review!!

by Godwin, Bangalore, on May 29, 2007 08:01 AM, Report abuse Reply

Check dis out guyz itz just for Rs- 7500 http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

by Kanav Kumar, New Delhi, on May 29, 2007 12:25 AM, Report abuse Reply

I am sorry but i am not able to understand the real customer of this product as this is too costlt to be used by a general end user.

by Vinit Bhatt, Surat, on May 28, 2007 10:54 PM, Report abuse Reply

Battery life should have been a con!