14 DAY TRIAL // Even now, the main gripe people have with touch-based devices is that they don't have a big enough keyboard, and there is a complete lack of tactile feedback whenever the OSK is used.
Not much has been done about it. On-screen keyboards are still the norm on smartphones, though tablets have mitigated the problem somewhat by using docks.
Docks are a bit annoying at times though, and they rather defeat the purpose of not buying an actual laptop instead.
Wishing to finally offer a solution, Strategic Polymers Sciences has created a flexible keyboard with actual, physical keys.
It is made of shape-changing polymers that can replicate both the feel and the sound of clicking buttons, like on normal keyboards.
Since the keyboard is more of a metallic grey sheet, this is nothing to scoff at.
Strategic Polymers Sciences actually has pretty major ambitions here, since it isn't just looking at owners of tablets and smartphones.
Seeing how much thinner laptops are getting, and how everyone wants them even thinner, the idea is to get all laptops and ultrabooks to use its invention. By next year if possible.
Not only that, but transparent coatings are in the works, allowing this keyboard to be layered even on top of touchscreen devices.
We imagine that it will take a while for this last idea to bear fruit, but it will likely be easier to do than displays that “grow” buttons when the OSK pops up.
For those who want the technical details, the technology causes the polymer to vibrate when electric field is applied. Sound waves can also be produced, making the click sounds or even musical notes.
For something only 1.5 mm thick and flexible, this all boils down to one impressive bit of engineering.