The AlphaGrip AG-5 brings mad keys to a game controller
By Paul Miller 
posted January 10th 2006 9:00AM
posted January 10th 2006 9:00AM
Sure we'd love a way to free our hands from the endless keyboard to mouse cycle, but this AlphaGrip AG-5 "game controller on steroids" doesn't seem to be exactly the solution we were looking for. They pack a trackball, two USB ports, and about a million billion buttons into this thing, positioning it to be the best way to utilize all ten fingers since we discovered a way to tap our desk rhythmically with our fingertips and annoy our co-workers. The odd thing is that AlphaGrip touts this as being for "high speed gaming," which we were unaware involved incomprehendable complexety and 90's-style product design. But the device will surely serve as a better high speed projectile when thrown in frustration, so maybe that is what they're referring to. Click on for a couple pics of all the functions.
[Via Joystiq]
Actually, the people who *have* gotten their hands on it seem to like it. Granted, it's not aesthetically the best, but I've read that the functionality is superb. I ordered one myself last week, and the reasons I'm drawn to the device are two-fold: a), I'm actually *looking forward to* learning the new layout (it's good exercise for the old noggin'); and b), I'd like to be able to chat and type up papers while leaning back in my chair with the AlphaGrip nestled in my lap comfortably. That it has a "million" buttons is of solace -- not intimidation -- for me, because I like having something concrete to push for each letter. Also, it's a keyboard first and foremost -- not a game controller (although for PC-based games it could prove beneficial). And keyboard have a "million" keys on them. It'd be really cumbersome to have to resort to "chording" (combining two or more keys to generate one character) when trying to type quickly. As for your fingers not having a place to go, from what I can tell the Grip just naturally rests in your clasped palms without any effort. Unlike a regular game controller, you don't have to consciously be squeezing onto the thing to keep it in your, well, grip. Just my two cents. I'm reserving further judgment 'til I get one.
Secondlife!!! think about it.
Compliments any one. this would be great for those who want to lay back relax and escape from key mouse headaches.
Dotails Allen: SL Name dont be shy
If u want somthing to complain about get a rubber keyboard argh!!! typo frenzy!!!
I'll get it. I always try out weird alternative input devices. Because of the pain in my forearms I'm compelled try anything other than whats normal for pc input. What I want to know is that...now...in mar 2006 is the unit available? Do they have their stock yet? Or am I gonna have to wait cause its on backorder?
Thank you, Engadget, for bringing this to my attention! I love you forever now! That thing's almost exactly what I've been wishing for for video games and legitimate PC uses alike.
The only problem I see is the trackball; it's mechanical and low-res, but it's still only a proof-of-concept. Of course, people who hate thumb balls won't like it no matter what. I hope there'll be optical balls in various sizes for user preferences, I like big precise ones more than little fast ones.
I looked it up and as Alex mentioned, it's a keyboard/mouse refinement for ergonomics foremost and portable computing second with gaming somewhere further down the list. I'm definitely getting one if it's easily available when I build my next PC, I'd love to be able to type while leaning back and I already prefer my Logitech thumb marble over mice for other ergonomic reasons- even for Unreal Tournament. Competitive edge be damned, I don't like wrist strain!
The website said people have no trouble retaining QWERTY skills, unlike with learning Dvorak, because the finger associations are similar to QWERTY. I can't wait 'till I can try it out at Circuit city or something and see for myself how the keys feel.
It looks like some ting made with Nintendo controller fake edition!
___________________________________knot_U
Is this thing a joke?
Talk about non-stop opportunity for accidental button presses... how could you avoid it? I mean, I'm still trying to figure out where your hands are supposed to go - they didn't seem to factor in the concept that among all those buttons, there needs to be some space left for peoples' hands. They have buttons on every square inch of that thing!
Seems like learning curve on that monstrosity will be steep. Probably take a couple of weeks to learn to use it. And what will be the point?
I am not convinced there really is a market for such a device.
At least racing wheels such as this have a very definite (albeit limited) purpose:
http://www.bidera.com/cgi-bin/us/emaximarket.cgi?action=item&item=24135
General purpose controller would have to. Perhaps that new upcoming Nintendo controller will solve all our problems (unlikely, I know).
WORST...IDEA...EVER.
Is this thing some kind of w00t! Photoshop Contest Monkey Prize winner, or what?
Is that an upside-down e-machines logo with fancy do-dads carved into the side of it? Because it sure looks like it. No creativita.
Well, someone must of liked it in the "game testing phase". It may be good for photoshop! Ergonomics, HOOOO!!!
I wonder if you could actually type effectively with this beast. It'd be interesting to see.
You can actually type on that thing??
I think I'll stick to my Xbox 360 controller.
"I wonder if you could actually type effectively with this beast. It'd be interesting to see."
http://alphagrips.com/typingdemo.html
How is this news? It was announced 5 years ago, and pre-orders have been available for over 12 months.
They've continually pushed the ship-date back since then...I'm hopeful but not confident I'll ever see mine. In theory it's promising, but then so is Socialism.
The typing demo was alright, but you can type much faster on a keyboard, and a trackball is nowhere near as fast as a mouse. Not to mention the fact that it's hideous
i actualy wanted a controler with more buttons, but this is overkill. im kinda pissed that the black and white buttons on the xbox controler were moved and not just adding two buttons on top. the two top buttons was the only thing i liked about ps2 controlers. does anyone know if u can use comp controlers on xbox360? i thought u could on ps2. wats with it only having one stick? most games take 2 dont they?
I use a trackball on all my desktops. It is every bit as fast as a mouse. I don't know why anyone would say that they are not, unless they just haven't used one very much cause they didn't like them.
Now, the tiny trackball may be a different story. I think it will be fine for std desktop usage. However, a larger trackball makes for greater accuracy in apps like Photoshop, so the tiny trackball probably won't be the greatest thing for PS users, but you can always connect another trackball, and the device wasn't targeted towards PS users anyway...
As far as it being ugly, so what? Like the std keyboard is a work of art? I mean really, who cares how "pretty" your keyboard is?
o ya may bad! thats the ball. ok ill just stop posting
Holy hell! Even (if) I ever learned how to use it, my carpel tunnels would tighten up to the point of severing my hands off!
I have used trackballs before, and I find that they're more arkward to use than a mouse with good sensitivity, accuracy has never been an issue. I agree about the tiny trackballs though, they are inacurate (having owned a laptop with one embedded i can testify to this).
As for keyboards being a work of art, I'm typing this on a Saitek Eclipse gaming keyboard. It's not going to win any major prizes but I'd definitely say it was attractive.
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/eclipse.htm
On another note, I saw a segment a while ago on en episode of Tomorrow's World which featured a similar device for controlling an underwater computer, though that device was only used in one hand.
If they'd get around to releasing the damn thing you bet I'd have it attached to my geek utility belt, running on an OQO, with a heads up display.
Fashionable? Nah.
1337? Hells Y34h!
#14 I had the same thought. Seems like the wrists would hurt and the back of your hands would wear out fast.
Besides, I've been programming for yrs and I still haven't mastered touch-typing on a regular keyboard completely yet..
I've always wanted a controller with a trackball built in, but I never imagined one this crazy looking. Still, I see the thought process behind their design. Each button has a keyboard key label which makes mapping keys a LOT easier (and improves compatibility by emulating a keyboard). They also have a lot of peripheral buttons for your thumbs, which is always good. For something like Quake I'd use this over an XBox controller any day.