Type-Hover-Swipe: Microsoft's prototype keyboard responds to gestures

(Video Screenshot)Type-Hover-Swype keyboard

Microsoft Corporation has developed a new-type keyboard that allows you to use the same swipe gestures such as pinch-to-zoom that work on your smartphone and tablet.

A product of Microsoft Research, this motion-control category keyboard is called the "Type-Hover-Swipe" mechanical keyboard. It's a small keyboard that makes device control possible via an array of small sensors embedded between the keys. These sensors detect gestures in only 96 bytes, allowing the keyboard to "see" when a user hovers his hand over it.

Microsoft's Research Division is still working on Type-Hover-Swipe. At this early stage, it's unclear when Microsoft will actually install Type-Hover-Swipe into future keyboards or into tablets like Microsoft Surface, if this is at all possible since the Touch Cover and Type Cover don't have mechanical keys. But the boffins at Microsoft will obviously find a way.

But the video showing the capabilities of the device is pretty impressive. You can view the video below:

Gamers will be excited about the virtual joysticks made possible by the Type-Hover-Swipe keyboard. The full-fledged keyboard has the potential to become a standard device for PC gamers, allowing them to control game elements using motion control.

A wireless version of the Type-Hover-Swipe could be used as part of an entertainment system, allowing users to swipe through video apps and fast-forward through movies.

Microsoft has long been exploring the concept of allowing gestures to be used without having to touch the keyboard itself. The result is a keyboard that can interpret basic hand gestures, potentially bridging a gap between touch devices and traditional input methods such as mechanical keyboards.

The main goal of building Type-Hover-Swipe is to allow users to keep their hands on or very close to the keyboard while typing and using input gestures, said Stuart Taylor, a Microsoft senior research engineer. Taylor said Type-Hover-Swipe isn't designed to replace the mouse.

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