4iThumbs iPhone Keyboard Overlay Adds Tactile Feedback
11:59 pm, November 25th, 2009, Sayam Aggarwal
4iThumbs is a $14.95 overlay for the iPhone screen that provides tactile feedback when using the on-screen keyboard. It has little bumpers placed right above the virtual keys that provides the feedback.
If you previously owned a Blackberry, typing on an iPhone might be a pain for you. Even though the on-screen keyboard is pretty responsive, it lacks the tactile feedback that you get on devices like BlackBerry Storm 2 etc. Now with 4iThumbs, you can fill that gap. The company boasts that the typing experience should become much better within just hours of use. As an extra feature, it also acts like an anti-glare screen protector.
However, it doesn’t look like an ergonomic option. The overlay is required just while typing and becomes a hindrance when doing other stuff like playing games. Thankfully it’s removable but taking it off and putting back on every single time is even worse. Also, carrying an extra screen every time in the pocket isn’t something that people like.
Currently, it’s the only option if you are looking for a way to have tactile feedback from your iPhone keyboard. Even though their commercial depicts just the portrait version, a landscape version is also available.
via Engadget
Posted by Sayam Aggarwal in News, iPhone, iPod Accessories | Comment on this article
Terrible idea. Jonathan Ive must cringe just at the sight of that thing.
Obsidian, on November 26th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Works for keyboard in portrait mode only. In other scenarios you have to put up with it. Hmm… Useless thing…
Dennis, on November 26th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I don’t like these novelty keyboards, they spoil the look of the iPhone and you can’t use it in landscape mode.I have never had a problem typing with a iPhone
Poppa, on November 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am
PLEASE Apple, please come out with an external BLUETOOTH or WIRED KEYBOARD for the iPhone!!
I had them for years with my Palm Treo and BlackBerry.
PLEASE APPLE PLEASE!
fred, on November 27th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Tat should be integrated with phone cover so that you could flip it over when needed. The cover could have two flips for vertical and horizontal keyboard.
toke, on November 29th, 2009 at 8:27 am
We at 4ithumbs would never do anything to hurt the look or function of the iPhone. You can keep 4iThumbs on most if not all of the time, without losing any of iPhone features. It may have to be taken off for some games.
We consider 4iThumbs a trainer which you will eventually remove, the iPhone will look as good as new. To those that don’t need our product we ask to be one minded in your comments for those that do.
jerry, on December 6th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Let me start of by saying that I’m a pretty big guy and my fingers are huge. I was curious to see if this would cure my lack of typing on the apple keyboard. I do have to say it has improved my typing and it’s changed everything. It’s only been a few days but this is a winner. Other then that it doesn’t do anything or for that matter change anything, I used my phone a usual.
truffs, on December 10th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
This overlay, despite the negative feedback from those who think it detracts from the sleek look of the iphone, is a good option for those with visual impairments who would like to access the iphone. I would assume that Jonathan Ive would not “cringe at an accessory that makes the iphone usable for a group of people with a disablity. Unless and untill Apple develops a method for blind and visually impaired people to use the iphone, this product is a very viable accessiblity tool.
Paul, on December 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am