Typing on a touchscreen can be frustrating for many users, as many complain that the experience can be more difficult and produce more errors than typing on a regular keyboard. However, researchers have found that touchscreen keyboards that adjust to individual typing styles could ease the frustration. Leah Findlater from the University of Maryland and Jacob Wobbrock from the University of Washington collaborated on an experiment to see if the keys on a touchscreen keyboard could be adjusted to improve typing speed and accuracy. In the experiment, 12 people were asked to type a series of phrases that would analyze the position of each tap. Based on this information, the size and location of the keys were altered, such as creating a larger space key or lowering keys if the user generally hits the bottom of them. Although the personalized keyboard did not make a significant difference in accuracy, users did type fifteen percent faster once they adjusted to it. The research was featured in New Scientist. For more information, visit http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428676.600-touchscreens-learn-your-habits-to-help-you-type-faster.html
June 5, 2012 Prev Next |
Researchers Find Personalized Touchscreen Keyboards Improve Typing Speed
Connect

Office of Technology Commercialization
2130 Mitchell Building
7999 Regents Dr.
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
2130 Mitchell Building
7999 Regents Dr.
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: 301-405-3947 | Fax: 301-314-9502
Email: umdtechtransfer@umd.edu
© Copyright 2013 University of Maryland
Did You Know
UMD's Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, which simulates weightlessness, is one of only two such facilities in the U.S.