Ever watched your mum and dad take the best part of a week to type a two-paragraph email? I have, and that's why this so-called "fast finger" keyboard has caught my eye.
Developed by Faith and Lynn, a couple of friends based out of the U.S. city of Philadelphia, the keyboard aims to fulfil the dreams of computer illiterates who can never find the key they're looking for - described playfully by Faith and Lynn as "Hunt 'n Peckers" - and children who've become accustomed to txt spk - that's the SMS language you've probably seen your kids use.
How is it any easier for typing newcomers? Well, the keyboard has its alphabetic keys arranged in both the traditional QWERTY layout via red lettering, and in alphabetical order via white lettering. Users can switch between the two at the press of a button, and the theory is that you use an alphabetical order to begin with - presuming that you know your ABCs, of course - and then make the transition to QWERTY when you feel up to it.
Extending functionality to users of txt spk, Lynn - who noticed her daughter using abbreviated words over and over again - also came up with the idea of creating shortcuts to common txt spk abbreviations across the F keys. These include LOL, ASAP, BTW and THX (click the image above for a larger view).
We're not particularly fond of the garish red-and-black finish, and we're not sure learning the alphabet will one day encourage touch typing on a QWERTY keyboard. Novel idea, though, and a fun gift idea for Mother's Day next month.
The Fast Finger keyboard is available from fastfingerkeyboards.com priced at $22.99. For the geeks among us, how many of you know what all 12 abbreviations stand for?
