4iThumbs overlay adds a tactile keyboard to your iPhone... sorta (video)
By Darren Murph 
posted November 25th 2009 12:10PM
posted November 25th 2009 12:10PM
Update: A horizontal version is available, hooray!
posted November 25th 2009 12:10PM
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iHump yourBump
@Abdel
I don't know if anyone has noticed that exactly a year ago is when engadget posted about the "awethumbs".
@Abdel "whats an Apps" rofl
Interesting, but um thats not even a blackberry.
@Dustin Ughh stupid commenting system...
@Dustin
It's customary to have one of the first few comments some kind of clever quip.
Well, it's a good start if you don't do so well on the touchscreen.
Ya know it would be nice if the buttons could pop-up, or inflate/deflate when you need them to. I'm pipe-dreaming of course, but that would be awesome.
Interesting but...thats not even a blackberry.
"...Course, these things are apt to bug you when using the horizontal keyboard (or no keyboard at all)..."
Did you watch the video Darren?? The thing removes, and stores on the back when not in use... Now THAT (having it hanging on the backside), would annoy me!
God they look stupid.
But hey, they made it possible to pocket-type now! [if you leave it on the screen]
what is you need to click on the screen just right next to that sicker?
if* ...
Worst I'm a Mac I'm a PC ripoff
More Like:
I'm an iPron and I'm an Pissy
hmm...why do I want to type without lookin...also why is this crazy world I want to ruin the excellent ergonomics of my iPhone by stickin in a rubber pad...eeewww
@kalyanverma
How does this ruin the ergonomics of your iphone?
@ljm I don't think he knows what "ergonomic" means.
@kalyanverma yeah I'm not sure you understand how it works..
@kalyanverma
Let me help you out since vocabulary doesn't appear to be your strong suit, and you apparently take issue with how this overlay makes the iPhone look... the word is AESTHETICS.
waste of money and not needed there is nothing wrong with the touch screen on the iphone and no need for a keyboard or any feedback. I guess maybe for the technology challenged!
andddd if you ever want to use it in landscape mode?
@(Unverified)
then apply new sticky keyboard everytime u change to landscape.
@ericlin you really dont understand. The actual raised bumps part of the keyboard does not stick on the screen. There are two parts that stick to the top and bottom (where there is no screen) and then the part that covers the screen (with the bumps) slots into it, holding it in place. Then when you don't want to have it on you can just remove it. That's why they can just make a landscape one as well which will just replace the portrait version. You can also (as the video shows) take it off and store in on the back of the iPhone and then just slot it in for use.
god that videos were annoying
After using the iPhone's virtual keyboard for 2.5 years I'll never go back to buttons. I've talked with a number of co workers that thought they HAD to have a physical keyboard so they bought the Droid only to discover they never use the keyboard.
Its so cute when people see the light after you've been telling them the same thing.
FTW
@(Unverified)
Maybe people just don't listen to you.....for a reason....heheh
The second video is sad
Sorry, but this is seriously dumb.
this might be the worst invention ever, iphone has offically jumped the shark......
I'd have alot less problem with apple related commercials if they weren't so damn smug.
I'll wait for haptic technology.
@(Unverified)
Why wait Samsung phones have had it for years and my new Hero also has it.
@fourthletter lol!
@fourthletter
I believe he's meaning the developments that would allow phone screens to truly provide tactile feedback, such as raising and lowering.
The currently implemented reiterations of haptics merely provides a bit of feedback to confirm your press, a far cry from the tactile feedback a hard-keyboard can provide.
Or am I wrong? I only messed with the Hero for a few minutes.
@(Unverified) Exactly. I was referring to screen tactile feedback with piezoelectronic actuators, already rumored in certain Apple's patents :
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/02/haptic-feedback-fingerprint-identification-and-rfid-tag-readers-in-future-iphones/
Total waste of time, if you can't type on a touch screen buy a qwerty phone. Love how you can store it on the back of the iPhone WOW guys that looks awesome ! LOL
Iphone accessory FAIL!!!!
Those two need to be fired. A 5yr old can do better than that.
The concept is neat though.
This is actually pretty cool. I like the fact that they made it removable and created a way to store it.
This reminds me of the foldable storage stand that fits in your wallet.
It's a cool accessory and I even like that they tried to do the whole Mac vs. PC vibe.
Why are there so many haters on the comments sections of tech blogs?
@(Unverified) agree with you about everything you just said.
This seems like a really cool concept and I'd love to try it out.
That's a Palm Treo, not a Blackberry. :B
Clock is ticking 'til they're hit with a cease and desist for interfering with the 'iphone experience'.
Just used Haptic on Cydia and u get some viration everytime you press a key. People that complain about the virtual keyboard porbably dobt even have an iphone.
@eam122
Haptic is a response to acknowledge you pressed a key, what most tactile users are looking for is a physical representation of a key to know they are pressing the right one beforehand.
Sort of like preventative medicine.
@(Unverified)
I agree, although owning both an Iphone and a Nokia 5800XM, I will say I love the resistive haptic keyboard much better. Once you adjust to the proper pressure, it makes it much easier to type quickly as you know you hit the key when you feel the vibe.
Everytime I get cooking on an Iphone Ill notice that I missed a letter 3 words back, and the lack of arrow keys is annoying, as moving the cursor by hand just bleh.
The Iphone and it's capacitive screen are amazing for web browsing and games, but for touch screen typing, gimmie a resistive anyday. Pressure sensitivity means your not accidentally hitting keys if you have man size hands.
Get a real keyboard
Who the hell types vertically? If you need to "improve the speed and accuracy of typing" then turn the f***ing thing sideways. duh.
He's a blackberry? Holding a palm? Riiiiight.
Also, waaaay to be late with the number of apps... and way to realise that blackberry had third party applications (of a kind) long before the iPhone.
those videos are sooo cheesy
Ways to improve your typing speed:
1. Get a phone with a keyboard on it.