Grippity back-typing keyboard hands-on

We've seen the Grippity back-typing keyboard move from mere prototype to working, production model, so our interest was definitely piqued when we heard that the developer would be at CES with his one-of-a-kind QWERTY board. Well, he came by with the Grippity, and we got some finger-time with it. The keyboard's certainly not an immediately comfortable or intuitive typing experience by any means, but it's got a real charm to it. The designer also kindly did a demo for us, and even he -- the creator of the device -- wasn't exactly what we'd call lightning fast on it, but see for yourself in the video (and gallery!) after the break.

P.S.- Yes, that's the inside of the Engadget double-wide trailer in the video -- we promise we'll have some more pictures as soon as all the real CES news dies down!

Gallery: Grippity keyboard

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[dan! @ Jan 8th 2009 11:18PM]

i would like to see one of u use it for a week and tell us if it would relace the regular keyboard

[Flashpoint @ Jan 8th 2009 11:48PM]

I bet if you built the same device into a keyboard unit the size of a sidekick 3, it would succeed.

[Tonicboy @ Jan 8th 2009 11:58PM]

I'll save you the wait and tell you right now... no it won't.

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 9th 2009 2:24AM]

Hey, if it'll relace my boots, I'm sold...

[OneLove @ Jan 9th 2009 12:11PM]

laura june is that you?

[Skrying @ Jan 12th 2009 12:57AM]

Once a person learns how to type on it at the speed you can on a normal keyboard then yeah it can. It is actually a possible really handy device that could nicely combine cursor control and typing without every having to lift your hands from either device, that is a great benefit. There are some potential issues but I think this device could really catch on with typing intensive workers who wrists need a break.

[Imperor @ Jan 12th 2009 7:53AM]

The point isn't to replace the standard keyboard fpr a regular computer, it's more to gain keyboard functionality for something like a HTPC controlled from the couch where a standard keyboard is awkward to use! The item to be replaced is a "standard remote".

[STINK @ Jan 8th 2009 11:19PM]

I've tried this and no matter what I do, I can't type with my back. Makes a good lumbar support, though.

[3rdman @ Jan 8th 2009 11:27PM]

You forgot the "/sarcasm" there...

'Lest people misunderstand you and call you bad names. D:

[Tonicboy @ Jan 8th 2009 11:59PM]

Why bother calling him bad names when his actual name is STINK.

[Doug @ Jan 9th 2009 4:51AM]

Yah... Hi... Its lumberg again.. Just wondering when your going to get those TPS reports in.. THANKS!.............

[jupiterthunder @ Jan 8th 2009 11:21PM]

Still not practical. As has been said before, the key layout needed to be altered. Leaving it with a tradition QWERTY, although probably not intended to, is equivalent to a new layout in this case. The layout needed to be altered so muscle memory would still allow you to type without relearning a pattern.

[jupiterthunder @ Jan 8th 2009 11:23PM]

But I suppose for some people, keeping the keys in their original position will make for a lesser learning curve.

[T-Bone @ Jan 8th 2009 11:53PM]

Why they left it QWERTY confuses me, as well.

[Carpet @ Jan 9th 2009 2:15AM]

The "qwerty" layout serves no ergonomic purposes. It was design to confuse and slow down typists who were typing too fast and jamming their typewriters.

I think they should have rotated each half of the keyboard laout 90 degrees so that from the position of your fingers the keys are still 'above' and 'below' the same ones on a conventional keyboard/

[Nadool @ Jan 9th 2009 3:55AM]

YTREWQ?

[konshuss @ Jan 9th 2009 10:14AM]

it's a cool method of typing. but i really have no interest in holding an oversized caricature of a 1970s game controller. i wouldn't want to pick this up and put it down over and over each time I type a couple of words in chat.

it's part of the beauty of having your keyboard on your desk, you're not holding a hot potato you're expected to continuously be using.

[Ransom @ Jan 8th 2009 11:41PM]

How does this fare ergonomically? Is it more or less stressful on your hands and fingers than a regular keyboard?

[Isaac @ Jan 8th 2009 11:57PM]

The only instances I can picture this being useful are industrial or aerospace. Places where there's no room to set a regular keyboard, not even a small one. Especially in space, where lack of gravity might make this useful. Neat concept though. Way to think behind the box. :)

[Jacob @ Jan 9th 2009 12:00AM]

This is a media center Keyboard. Typing takes only 5% of the usage time but the keys take 95%. of the size and weight. this is an ergonomic hand held solution for casual typing from the couch. don't forget that when the keyboard and word processor were introduced, most people didn't get it. after all, what's wrong with typewriter machines?

[Bob @ Jan 9th 2009 12:32AM]

Cool they are reselling the Jaguar controllers.

[xconan @ Jan 9th 2009 2:24AM]

that's what i thought. goin retro or did atari comeback from the ground under...

[eric @ Jan 9th 2009 12:39AM]

I'm not entirely sure who they are marketing this to?

If it has any practical use, it would be for certain physically impaired folks.

[Brock @ Jan 9th 2009 12:41AM]

I agree with Jacob. Although I could definitely see this type of technology being integrated into some after-market gaming controllers that only 5 people would buy.

[BigD145 @ Jan 9th 2009 2:02AM]

Charm? Maybe. What it does have is an oddity factor. That doesn't necessarily make it functional.

[Alex E-Ham @ Jan 9th 2009 2:16AM]

Wow, that's really useless.

[Stephen Lang @ Jan 9th 2009 2:17AM]

In other news, they are also coming out with paper that is lined on the BACK, so you write on the UNDERSIDE.

The point of this keyboard escapes me- I really don't see this being faster than a thumboard which is smaller anyway?

[bootareen @ Jan 9th 2009 4:07AM]

Wow, so many late '08 Macbooks in the back.

[Nilay Patel @ Jan 9th 2009 5:31AM]

Two?

[nonfanboy @ Jan 9th 2009 4:06AM]

must... reach... letter...G!

[keithwwalker @ Jan 9th 2009 4:13AM]

I agree, the keys should not be layed out in the qwerty horizontal layout, but in a vertical layout, so that your four fingers can access the keys without having to reach as far.

Think about it, with this device the plane of your wrist is not horizontal, but vertical - that should dictate key position.

Just think what Art Lebedev (aka Optimus) could do with this form factor!!! In a perfect world, it would be built into the back of a smart phone....!

[James @ Jan 9th 2009 2:34PM]

Agreed. I was thinking vertical layout, mirror image, so that the keys are used by the same fingers as in a standard keyboard layout...

[superhobo @ Jan 9th 2009 5:19AM]

Meh

[jonathon @ Jan 9th 2009 5:50AM]

this looks great, i don't see it replacing a regular keyboard but for those who have media centre computer hooked up to a tv it would be perfect. i can see it has a bit of a learning curve but its a great innovative keyboard

[smashbro @ Jan 9th 2009 5:57AM]

The idea is just so stupid as it looks....................

[Hackettman @ Jan 9th 2009 10:11AM]

This is one peripheral I dont think Id ever be able to learn how to use....... It boggles me how this guy even types in the demo........

[Goldaar @ Jan 9th 2009 10:24AM]

This would be a fantastic product of the keys were rotated to a more traditional feel. I like where he is going with this, I think it would be the first ergonomic breathrough in quite a while. Right now the closest people can get is a Goldtouch, which will let you hold your hands vertically, but still requires your wrists to bend back slightly.

This guy has potential, the problem is, he will probably get beat to the punch by someone with more money and more time for R&D (or he'll get bought, in which case I'm sure he'll be happy.)

Don't be surprised to see one of the big players in Ergo keyboards come out wih something like this in the near future. I can see Goldtouch or Kinesis coming out with something like this to suit a more laid back working position.

[User7 @ Jan 9th 2009 11:33AM]

I'll stick with my new click wheel!

[chris @ Jan 9th 2009 12:21PM]

Alpha-grip blows this thing away. No contest. C'mon guys, where's engadget's reporting on this excellent example of American ingenuity?

[Gad Get @ Jan 9th 2009 2:39PM]

"OK. This...is...the...Grippity...One...keyboard...and...I...don't...have...to...lean...forward...when...I...type!"
"Nice!"
[Interspersed chuckling]
"Wow!"
"This is pretty amazing!"
"There is a typo though---I don't wanna get---I don't wanna be a jerk--"
"Where?"
"In Grippity!"
[Cut-off laughter]

[JSams4131 @ Jan 12th 2009 12:04AM]

hahah I was thinkin the same exact thing! lol if ur trying to sell a keyboard he shoulda atleast spelled it right.