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    HomeTechnologyGoogle introduces double-sided, twisted Gboard

    Google introduces double-sided, twisted Gboard

    Google Japan’s Gboard team has unveiled a new iteration of their annual keyboard design, this time introducing a double-sided, twisted keyboard aimed at facilitating collaborative typing or coding. The innovative design allows multiple people to work simultaneously on the same keyboard.

    Known for their playful and unconventional takes on keyboards, the Gboard team previously released a single-row, ultra-long keyboard in 2022 that was so lengthy it could double as a fishing pole. This year, they’ve returned with something just as whimsical, but perhaps more functional.

    The twisted, double-sided Gboard features keys on both the front and back, enabling users to decide where they want to place specific buttons or commands. The inspiration behind this unique design came from the realization that people can’t type effectively when a traditional keyboard is turned upside down. The team sought to solve this problem by creating a keyboard that can be used from multiple angles without flipping it over—hence the double-sided structure.

    Despite its novelty, the Gboard team doesn’t have plans to release the device commercially. However, they have made the design open source, allowing enthusiasts to build their own version using a 3D printer. The open-source project includes interwoven key switch modules, making it accessible to users who are interested in customizing or experimenting with the design.

    Google-Japan-Twisted-Double-sided Keyboard 360-Degree Input
    The endless structure has no front or back, offering a seamless, infinite typing experience from any angle.

    Open source and creative uses

    For those who wish to explore Google’s double-sided Gboard but don’t need its typing capabilities, the team has come up with alternative ways to use the keyboard. They suggest it could be worn as an oversized bracelet or even serve as a quirky substitute for a Christmas wreath. Additionally, users who want to experience the device without the tactile typing experience can make a paper version based on the open-source designs. While this version would be purely decorative, it could also serve as a preparation tool for users interested in printing the real thing later.

    Google Japan Twisted Double-sided Keyboard Collaborative
    Multiple people can use the device at once.

    As for the technical specs, the 3D-printed Gboard connects to a computer using USB-C, and it features an impressive 208 keys scattered across its twisted shape. In keeping with their lighthearted approach, the Gboard team describes the keyboard’s weight in an unusual unit: “20.8 donuts.” They also liken the keyboard’s design to a Möbius strip, an endless loop that represents the seamless input experience they hope to create. The team humorously concludes that with this design, users can “finally say goodbye to the stress of not being able to input data.”

    Google Japan Twisted Double-sided Keyboard 208 Keys
    Google’s double-sided Gboard features 208 keys and connects via USB-C.

    While the double-sided Gboard may not be available in stores, its open-source release offers plenty of opportunities for tech enthusiasts and creatives to experiment with a truly one-of-a-kind device. Whether used for typing, coding, or simply as a fun decoration, the twisted keyboard stands as a playful example of the Gboard team’s ongoing exploration of unconventional user interfaces.

    Source: Google Japan

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