Cheap keyboard boasts handwriting recognition

Initially, the thought of having a keyboard with a built-in writing pad seems pretty nifty, but when you realize that this particular one is understandably missing a numerical keypad (not to mention any signs of quality), your opinion may change. Nevertheless, this interesting hybrid device, labeled by A1Pro, reportedly touts the ability to recognize your handwriting and withstand the expletives that are sure to fly when fishing about for the incredibly tiny Backspace key. 'Course, that about rounds up its feature list, but hey, what else would you expect for a mere $25.48?

[Via CNET]

[nd @ Sep 19th 2007 12:13PM]

this looks exactly like a Rosewill brand keyboard that i have (but with the numpad removed and the handwriting thing in its place). i LOVE that keyboard! it was like $12, it's very slim, and it has scissor type keys (like my laptops). i have always used laptops, so i am used to this type of keys.

haha...this handwriting area says (handwritten identify the system" :-p why cant these forign companies just hire a translator??? wowzers...either way it looks like a "security feature"- like it's supposed to recognize your handwriting? it would be sweet if it had a built in tablet...can anyone confirm?

[StreetStealth @ Sep 19th 2007 1:47PM]

I have that Rosewill board too, and this thing is definitely a ringer. Are Rosewill and A1Pro co-owned?

[Zach @ Sep 19th 2007 7:58PM]

I love my Multimedia and Super thin Keyboard + Handwritten identify the System!

so buzz off! :)

[Zach @ Sep 19th 2007 7:58PM]

edit: Multimedia Super and thin Keyboard :( ftl

[Tara @ Sep 19th 2007 12:25PM]

Love the support for us lefties :-P

[seannarae @ Sep 19th 2007 12:27PM]

wont someone please think of the lefties?

[Jonathan Worrel @ Sep 19th 2007 6:29PM]

I agree. Lefty support, where?

[adam @ Sep 19th 2007 6:32PM]

Natural selection should of weeded you lefties out years ago ;)

[Nick @ Sep 19th 2007 12:41PM]

I can see the use of this for Chinese and other pictographic-like languages, but I see the use limited for the English language. There's not nearly enough space to write long words without backtracking, and for the vast majority of typists it would be faster and less error prone to simply type it.

[Zach @ Sep 19th 2007 7:53PM]

yea, but what about a tablet style where you could also draw. sure not as accurate as a waccom, however, a hell of a lot cheaper

[Raymond @ Sep 19th 2007 1:09PM]

This kind of keyboard is designed for markets where their language (e.g. East Asian Languages) requires an Input Method Editior to be type on a computer.

For those who isn't able to memorize the complex system of IME, they could just write on the that pad and the word would be recognize by the program and be entered on the computer.

[paragraph @ Sep 19th 2007 1:47PM]

Interesting, but not interested...

first off, i find it cumbersome to use handwriting recognition as opposed to typing because how horrible my handwriting has become (from years of typing)

additionally, as it has been mentioned, no love for southpaws.

however, i guess in the event that someone finds it handy they shouldn't be weary of quality. A keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard. My $3.00 keyboard is as good as any other keyboard i've used. It lacks any discernable features like programmable keys, but all the keys work, they all type the write letter, and they are all in the right place, and have stayed there.

The problem i see is that this is basically a laptop keyboard (and that appears to be the trend) and keys are smaller and cramped. if you're used to that good for you, if not, drop a C on a Wacom.

oh, another flaw that makes me uniterested is the fact that i need to supply a num-pad. I use that thing almost as much as i use the home row, i have a USB pad for my laptop, and could use it, but it cost me $20, so in the end i'd have to shell out $45 if i didn't allready have one.

If they threw in a USB keypad and a USB hub built in (presumable 2 ports, one for the keypad, and one for a mouse), bumped the price to $39.99 (or so) you might have a decent product... of course assuming the recognition is good quality... natually.

[Zach @ Sep 19th 2007 7:55PM]

:o A keyboard is just a keyboard?

Oh man....

please try the comparison:

a shit keyboard >> Logitech Elite >> IBM Bucking keys (Das Keyboard, IBM Model M)

your typing experience will never be the same.

[Pedro @ Sep 19th 2007 12:55PM]

Might be very appealing to modders.

[edh @ Sep 19th 2007 1:28PM]

Who uses a number pad, anyway?

[Tim @ Sep 19th 2007 1:38PM]

I do.
Does that mean I'm old school?

[John @ Sep 19th 2007 2:42PM]

my N64 emulator does. And let me tell you, that makes it a bitch to play Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards on my tablet.

[edh @ Sep 19th 2007 2:46PM]

LOL!

[Matthew Hilario @ Sep 19th 2007 1:51PM]

they should have it magnetic detachable for us lefties. like that other keyboard they featured on engadget a couple days ago.

[MH @ Sep 19th 2007 2:58PM]

There are three buttons above the writing pad:

http://www.dealextreme.com/photogallery.dx/sku.8673~seQ.1

Do you think the third one was supposed to say "write" instead of "right"?

D'oh!

[sweetie @ Sep 19th 2007 3:24PM]

i concur; we want lefty support!

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 19th 2007 3:52PM]

I wonder if you can do the same just using an old palm pilot and some software over the serial cable... I know.. alot of people with palms greyscale skeletons in their closets...

[bombastinator @ Sep 19th 2007 4:07PM]

does it work as a trackpad too? If so it could be handy just on that basis

[po @ Sep 19th 2007 6:16PM]

I don't see any newegg stuff up here, so why are you guys promoting them ?

[ryaninc @ Sep 19th 2007 7:35PM]

Okay, that piqued my interest enough to buy it. Total impulse buy, but I had to try it. I need a new keyboard for my office at work anyway. I'll report back here when I get it. Maybe post a review on my blog. :-)

[-Tj- @ Sep 19th 2007 9:06PM]

"... but when you realize that this particular one is understandably missing a numerical keypad ... your opinion may change."

Nah, pass.

"... but hey, what else would you expect for a mere $25.48?"

SOLD!!

[Mitch @ Sep 20th 2007 4:09AM]

God how is this news. Junk like this was been in every second store at places like Sim Lim for 10 years now

[Bennett @ Sep 20th 2007 9:56AM]

Someone should build a keyboard with built-in error recognition (like if you hit two keys at once)