I'm glad that you reviewed this board. One of my coworkers has a daughter I believe with cerebral palsy and she doesn't have any ability to do fine motor movements so she can't use a mouse and relies on this keyboard. Because her movements can be quite erratic the fact that it stops input after you've made the selection is actually helpful to her. I definitely feel like better can be done as the quality is ****. He's told me that his daughter who went through college with them, but went through six or seven of them in the process. I can't imagine writing one paper with this.
@@CommodoreFan64 Yeah, that's one of the things I was thinking about as well. It'd be much faster and more comfortable as well. Plus you get a nice headset out of it ^^ .
Stephen Hawking was an atheist so the devil surely helped him with input. Also, from my days in the navy, i can assure you that all morse code wizards are possessed by demons. To see that I'm right, record the emergency incoming message signal sequence and play it back in the middle of the night, you will see how the possessed jump up from bed and start throwing things at you and using foul language.
As someone who is totally blind, let me just put it out there that I would not use this. I use a regular keyboard, no special adaptations, and I can type very fast. As in, greater than 120 words per minute. So, they’re trying to market this to blind people is absolutely ridiculous!
For the curious, I use a Matias Tactile Pro at home and Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate at work. The Matias is the bestKeyboard I've ever used, at least so far.
Yes, but that is to read the screen. I don’t need to be told what I just typed. I already know, since I typed it. Back when I was learning how to type, about 25 years ago, I did have it read back what I typed. I haven’t needed that in a very, very long time.
Touch typists can have very low error rates. Completely zero vision people do make use of screen readers to review their work sometimes and if they are coding they can compile and let the compiler find typos.
If I had to guess I would say there was a masters thesis involved under the guise of a "research paper" and the joke went too far, far enough that a prototype was made, and then momentum carried that to production, and now some poor souls are looking at a stack of boxes they need to sell and a career built on lies. It really just got out of control.
Is like, an 8 minute typing demo in a review a record in length for Thomas? It honestly feels like it, I had to take a double take when I realized there were 8 minutes left at the end of the review!
Off the top of my head this is by far the longest typing demo I've ever done, yeah. Note that the length of the sentence is similar if not slightly shorter than other ones, too.
@@Chyrosran22 I can’t believe I sat through all of it, but this pain… this is nothing compared to what you had to suffer through for this review. Thank you.
You could probably build a better version of this with an arcade stick kit. Two nice microswitch joysticks with 8-way gates. If gripping the stick was a problem, you could probably swap it for a bigger 3d printed handle. Yeah, definitely under 400 USD.
100% and we know that hardware already exists and will last decades... Add some nice big buttons for special functionality and maybe even a foot pedal or two for things like shift and space, this could be done soon much better it's painful.
This a very stupid comment. The reason that products like this cost so much, is, among other things, that they're low volume, this means either no mass production or it takes much longer to recoup investment in the machinery because fewer people are buying the products
I have arthritis and can confirm that I've used a mouse by basically just moving and clicking with the heel of my hand/side of my thumb before. Would definitely work better than the "mouse" feature of this, I think. It makes me sad that things like this are marketed at disabled people and are so shoddy. I'm thankful that my arthritis is usually excellently controlled by medication, because constantly needing to buy overpriced aids that are plastic pieces of crap would sure drain the wallet. That thing also slides around an ABSURD amount, judging by your demo. You'd have to glue it to the damn table or something.
My friend has ALS and lost dexterity in his hands. Me moved to speech typing for a bit, but then lost control of his mouth. He got this device and was able to communicate for a little longer, albeit super slow. This device gave him the ability to communicate for the last few months of his life, albeit so/too slow. Your demonstration at the end of the video was about 10 to 20 times faster than what he was doing. But it was all he had at that point.
I suppose, in theory, if one had the legend memorized and the sensitivities/weights on the movements weren't dog shit, one could actually type relatively fast on this. There are people that choose to play Dark souls with a banana or a flightstick or what have you after all. But I'd think a Touchpad with defined quadrants (and a customizable hold sensitivity) and using a center tap for modifiers (tap once for caps, twice for punctuation, etc) would be far more practical for people with disabilities. Even a layered numpad with a large modifier along the side and a 'spacebar' under it would actually be more practical than this for most, I think. It was certainly more practical when I set up a keypad that way than the 'handicapable' boards I played around with out of curiosity.
I really want to see an Orbitouch master demonstrate what, well, mastery of this board looks like. Instead of just them claiming someone can reach 50WPM, show it to us.
The steam big picture mode includes a way to type with a controller. You select one of 8 sectors with the left stick and each sector has 4 keys that you access with the ABXY buttons. Space, backspace and modifiers are on the shoulder buttons. It's honestly quite comfortable to use for searching something on youtube, give it a shot. You could probably rig up something appropriate for disabled people with the same system and I reckon it would be possible to get 30WPM out of it.
I feel that thing would be made obsolete by a simple eye or head tracking setup using a webcam and free software, mapped to a virtual keyboard. It might've been good when it just came out, 5-10 years ago or whatever, but technology progressed a lot since and there are way better solutions available now.
@@TheNightquaker The problem with that is that anything you could rig up isn't extremely accurate and that it's slow. Most things don't require high framerates, a tesla runs at 20fps for example. That means that there is hardly any hardware that could track eyes well enough. Also, you can't look at anything else while typing and that's a huge disadvantage.
Honestly, I think with changes and if the product wasn't shit, it could actually be good. Make it smaller, and change it so that only front selections are used for normal keys; make it more like a gamepad (circular motions, not jabs) and have it so that when you press either of them, that registers as a click; theoretically, it would be similar to the swipe digital keyboards on devices now, and some people could use it quite fast; your fingers theoretically move less if you are not a touch typist (I know I'm not, but I can type real fast on the mechanical; I am more like a piano typist, if you get my drift). Back swipes use for commands and the stuff. An improvement would probably also be a printed legend on front; better yet, also screen with the possible positions on each input, showing where when you have the left (or the right) joystick in one position, the other positions on the right (left) give this. The good thing about this keyboard is it gave me a lot of theoretical keyboard concepts; such as a sliding keyboard, where you have 2 or more sliders (I'd probably have a modify key slider) with multiple positions on it; those positions all make a combination, that makes a scan code.
As someone who is blind, I can't even begin to IMAGINE using something like this. I feel about this the way that most people would probably feel about watching me use a braille machine to input. In other words, WTF?
I see your point. As somebody who is also blind I'd rather just speech to text my way around to watch RU-vid videos, even all the YTP. I'd rather have people hearing my search history than use this piece of junk any day.
@@bazahaza Either on their phones or computers using either software that reads the screen or other hardware that turns screen output, apart from graphics, into braille. I am using speech to read screen contents. That's why I only follow channels where the owner actually knows how to describe things. :)
For a few minutes, I sat there wondering what this creation reminded me of, and then it hit me: index typewriters, a class of very early keyless writing machines where you manually selected the character you wanted - by rotating a disc, moving a pointer, or some other method - and then actuated its strike onto the paper. A cheaper but short-lived alternative to proper keyboard-based machines. (Examples: Mignon, World, Hall.) Would love to see Thomas try to cope with those, although they're rather outside his universe.
The idea of chorded typing on 2 8 directional joysticks is actually really good in theory, if you actually take your time and learn all of the chords, you wouldn't need to look at "the board" to type, it also shouldn't be too much slower than regular typing as you basically need to do 1 action per keystroke, unlike typing with a dpad for example, where you need to spend a lot of time pecking for the key. And has the advantage of beeing very static, unlike regular keyboard where you need to move your hands across the keyboard, a lot, as well as reaching for the mouse, and the lower percision need to opirate a device like that, could meen you would be able to also type with your legs. Could have been very cool for a lazy setup couch setup, where you generaly operate everything with a controller (gyro for cursor input), but can acausally type with your stincking feet, with no need to get lost of the controller ever. But sadely the execution of it all isn't that good, with cheap built quality, joystick that aren't bound to the 8 exclusively needed directions, requiring more percision, horible mouse mode, and the handles design showing that creators clearly didn't think of it beeing operated by the legs.
It's going to be slower since you're returning after every "keystroke" - I'd think it would be comparable to one-finger typing on a regular keyboard, certainly not as fast as touch-typing. And operating it with feet sounds annoying - you'd need a pretty heavy base to keep the thing from moving as you push the joystick around with your feet, and something like a set of pads or even a basic pedal combined with the controller sounds like a better idea.
@@maciejstachowski183 Actually if the characters match with the first or second joystick position, you won't need to move that, and even you did, chords are still a lot fatser then 1fingering a keyboard, as it requires alot more percision, and is a lot less static, as well as being really frustraiting. And foot pedals give you a lot less funcionality / key combination. I think i've made my point that it could work really well in theory, but is implemented poorly.
Consider that you can actuate 5 keys at once with a single hand while the dual joysticks would limit you to a maximum of two disregarding macros. Someone with a single hand would fare better using a smaller keyboard that allows them to access all the keys without moving their hand. Maybe a 40% macro keyboard would suit them better.
This would now be a perfect time to do a Top X Worst Keyboards of All Time. From the Fold 2000, NightOwl, ErgoDex, and ZX Spectrum to the OrbiTouch, Maltron and the MyFirstKeyboard as well as the ungodly evil that is the Laser Projector Keyboard. I think you have more than enough material for such a video. Something like that would make even the hateful Smith Corona leafspring bag of bolts feel loved. 😅😅😅😅
@@SockyNoob The Laser Keyboard video is pretty high on the shit-o-meter. My favorite "worst" keyboard has to be the Keyboard Origami one with Maxi DwS switches just for him failing to contain his laughter 😆
You... you think the ErgoDox belongs in the same category as the OrbiTouch, Fold 2000, MyFirstKeyboard and Nightowl?! I don't think Thomas's review, as a known ergo-board hater, even gave that impression. It's one of the best keyboards I've used, and I own a Model F. :D Don't give in to the ergo-hate, they're not all ridiculous as this example. I totally agree otherwise though, that's a great idea for a video.
@@jb_lofi I didn't exactly categorized them as such... Also I mispelled. It was the ErgoDex, the shit he reviewed last year. And probably I would have categorized them for being Rubber based.
@@zakutenakazumiya1516 That one must have been so unremarkable and shite I don't even remember it... So maybe it's does deserve to be in that category 😂
As an Assistive Technology specialist, this is a primary example of what not to build. I and my colleagues are continually enraged by designs that are marketed as "ergonomic" and "assistive technology" which I put in quotations as no one from either complimentary field worked on this. Products like this also tend to be more expensive, have less technical support, are less intuitive, and are more prone to wear & damage. All of this is detrimental to individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses. From a low vision perspective, there is nothing that orients the user, and the keyboard "layout" is subjective, meaning it doesn't have individual inputs for keys. From a disability use perspective, it takes more work and control to operate, so those with muscular, cognitive, or neurological disabilities and illnesses will have greater difficulty using it. This seems to be nothing but a "what if" concept product which was seen by an overzealous and ignorant marketing executive. It is incredibly obvious that an ergonomics specialist, Assistive Technology specialist or professional, or anyone certified through RESNA, NCART, or IAAP were consulted for this product, because we would have told them NO THANK YOU.
Wanted to test a thing, so I enabled OSK and click assist (hover for a bit =click ) and it feels so much better than whatever this is, checks all the boxes in terms of a11y AND can be used one handed. This comment was written with that.
I was just thinking OSK with sensitivity set appropriately for a user would undoubtedly be better and at least you can look at what your typing instead of staring down at the board in an attempt to learn it...
steam had a "flower" keyboard for a while in big picture mode, that you use with a controller. I actually quite liked it. it's like this, but without the boobs, and better in every conceivable way. it still sucked enough that they removed it from steam, but you can still find pictures online
I'm a little surprised that you didn't say anything about the typing sound. You constantly talk about Cherry switches being scratchy and terrible, but they are silky smooth compared to this thing. Also, I really would have liked to hear your reaction if it were RGB backlit. Finally, where does this thing fall in your list of worst keyboards ever?
Seems like a nice idea with bad implementation. I've run into poorly labeled, overly expensive hardware before in this space as well. The margins are not quite what you think, given the volume though. Although, printing some new stickers for the circular area around the controls really seems like it wouldn't cost enough to warrant not fixing the labeling.
I love that, on top of everything, this keyboard even slips on the table, so you do not forget that you are being tortured. Thanks for the """typing""" section.
once again an example of "The theory is sound, the implementation is horrendous" Leaving the legend of an entire set of keys is not exactly good quality control on a keyboard. It's like removing the legend off of all the keys and then giving it to someone who's never used a keyboard before and telling them to type an essay on it.
Ahhhh, my second donation after the infamous 'Nightowl'. For me, this was the most amusing of Thomas' ordeals yet. I just hope we never meet in real life or he might stab me in the back, lol.
I find input methods (keyboards, gamepads, mice, etc) designed for disabled people really fascinating. It's a shame so many of them seem really badly made or designed
I'm really glad you gave us the full asmr of muttering under your breath and clicking your tongue only to result in using a regular keyboard for the input. then trying in vain to type again. i had a good chuckle.
No matter how much Thomas complains, he's really starting to convince me of just how awesome this board is. I'm happy to hear that they still make them. I am so very tempted to get one. As for the incredible lightness of the case, some sort of non-conductive modelling putty would be really heavy and keep it on the desk. Presumably you can pop the case open and stick a kilo or two of it in there. Can anyone link me to the manual? I'd like to check that out first. P.S. The typing demo had me laughing. Excellent work!
My son has cerebral palsy, the type where he's "loose" rather than all drawn up. His school had these pieces of crap(or a precurser). He much preferred the regular keyboard, or using a mouse to click a virtual keyboard. He'll be thirty-five this year, and he has partial hearing loss as well, and speech to text isn't a possible alternative, unfortunately. He types decently enough on a regular keyboard, but his text will be full of errors and typos. His typing speed is really very slow, as well. Luckily he doesn't need to type often in his daily life, and doesn't have to send anyone letters. When he does, he just dictates for me to type.
I legit took a nap when you started with the typing test and woke up thinking the video was over and something else was playing, then I realized you were barely half way there.
ngl that typing demonstration was the best thing about 2021, I thought you were going to just lose it at any second. I feel horrible for anybody having to need this.
And some people get annoyed at loud switches. Imagine having this thing in your office. It sounds exactly like what it is, a cheap plastic (kids) toy. Hollow plastic parts that rub and bounce into each other. The only thing missing is the seam from the injection molding that nobody bothered to clean up and the impression would be complete. But in all seriousness, I can't imagine that anybody would be able to type fast on this. And it seems tiring. First, you need to use your entire arm (actually both) to type a single character. Then you need the opposite muscles too to restrain yourself so you don't shove this thing all over your desk all the time. And that in contrast to moving a single digit a few cm.
Decades ago I worked with visually impaired persons and they all were super fast typing on regular keyboards since they couldn't cheat by looking so being forced to use correct finger placement made them very fast and accurate.
Ohhh shit I had that effect happen to me, I thought the pair of mice sticking out were indents into the board. For half the video I was thinking about how anyone would use something like that
Interesting video. I actually think a well made, better designed, affordable and fixed version of this could be handy,. If they made one hand to use a simple, Enter, Delete, Space, Next, and the other hand to swipe the letter / character one wants, swiping as if they were writing that letter, would be massive faster and more reliable.
Sorry, I had to stop watching the demo about 1/3 of the way through, it looked way too frustrating to use and I could not bring myself to finish watching you struggle. Than you for reviewing it, and I'm sorry you had to suffer through it. I enjoy the videos, Look forward to seeing more. All the best.
Chyrosran22, I thought I'd see what you style of review was, and probably would just not be interested in keyboard reviews. But holy shit, this is the funniest fucking tech review I've ever fucking watched. +1 Sub
Listen, I've watched all of your videos. I've never been in so much pain watching you trying to type out a sentence on an input device before. I'm fuckin speechless
