We were about to write this off as a harmless gimmick, and a great gift to slow down a couple FPS rivals of ours, but after staring mesmerized at the sheer craziness of it all, we're starting to think these Combimouse peeps are on to something. Their concept is quite simple: reduce the repetitive and arduous task of moving your hand from
keyboard to
mouse and back again a few thousand times a day. They accomplish that by splitting the keyboard and making the right half into a full fledged mouse. Your merely switch up your grip and the mouse function automatically springs into action. You might look a bit dorky in the act, and it surely won't work for everybody, but it seems to us that a spreadsheet pusher could quickly get used to the setup and learn to rock it. The creators of the Combimouse have recently completed their final prototype and are on the lookout for a manufacturer. We'll keep you posted.
posted May 5th 2006 10:05PM
Looks like a novel idea. I'd wonder about the reliability of using switches used for keys as mouse buttons. But it looks like it'd also be a great way to avoid repetitive motion issues that a regular keyboard might present.
And since PCs have USB ports there's nothing that'd keep you from also attaching a regular mouse, trackball or whatever should you have certain situations that are better served using them.
#36: That's actually a myth (the "they picked that keyboard cause it slows down typing"). Check it out on snopes. The current keyboard design actually won typing contests against other designs, that's why they picked it.
Friends and neighbors, I have been working on computers since 1968. From huge, to big to medium to desktop, I have seen a lot of computers and computer peripherals. I can tell you now that I am so set in my keyboarding ways that I would never in my life deliberately use this monstrosity. I think that a newbie who learned on one of these would probably in time say the exact same thing about my beloved solid QWERTY keyboard.
If it trips your trigger, enjoy it. You can have my copy too.
Dr. "I'm too old to type differently" Electro
Its a great idea for a business or anyone who would use the keyboard more than a mouse. But im a gamer and i dont beleave that big thing is going to provide the speed, just a thought.
Are you kidding me? That's like using a mouse with a ping pong paddle attached. And where does one rest their right wrist when typing? It seems like it'd mash the directional keys all the time, which would be frustrating as all hell. This looks more like a bad piece of postmodern art than a revolutionary office innovation.
I feel like I am getting carple tunnel syndrome at 25. If this thing works (as in, doesn't hurt my wrists), I would learn to use it no matter how weird it looks.
What's with all you people asking "duhhhh... where's the mouse buttons?" You idiots!!! There are a whole crapload of buttons on that thing! Pick one and use it!! It doesn't have to look like a mouse button. IDIOTS
Can you see some nerd walking down the street, one half in each front pocket, typing and mousing away into their mobile computer??? But I'd like to try it, seriously, just to see if the hand position is more logical for the mouse. conventional mouse size is 'way too small, forcing my hand to conform to its size rather than the other way around.
YES!!!! Its About Time! I have been looking for such a keyboard for 5 years. I can finally use my computer while sitting in my recliner without having to contort my wrists. Ever try typing with a keyboard in your lap? it's just not comfortable; the keyboard is too low, you have to twist your wrists outwards, and in order to be properly centered the keyboard has to be shifted to the right just enough so that it slips off your left leg. I am buying this immediately; I just hope its wireless.