Gamertell

I don’t like to encourage text message speak, but if you rely on it to get through your daily emails and instant messages, you may want to pick up the Fast Finger keyboard that’s one of the highlights of New York’s 2010 Toy Fair. You can even buy one right now for $22.99.

The keyboard was created with children and “hunt and peck” typists. You plug it into your computer’s USB port, and can instantly start using it. If you haven’t learned how to type yet, or have problems with standard keyboards, you can set it up so you the keys correspond to the white letters on them, meaning the keyboard is in alphabetical order. If you have, you simply hit a button and it will turn into the standard QWERTY keyboard and the keys correspond to the red letters. You switch back and forth easily by pressing the F button above the F5/FYI key.

The most eyecatching features of the Fast Finger Keyboard are the shortcuts. Looking at the image above you can easily see there are internet home and email shortcuts and the shortcuts to control any DVDs, Blu-ray discs or music you could be listening to. But it’s the shortcuts below, combined with the F1 through F12 keys that are unique. Each key corresponds to a different instant message acronym.

Let’s look at what’s available:

• F1: ASAP (As soon as possible)
• F2: BSB (Be right back)
• F3: BTW (By the way)
• F4: CYA (See ya)
• F5: FYI (For your information)
• F6: HOAS (Hold on a second)
• F7: HRU (How are you)
• F8: IMO (In my opinion)
• F9: L8R (Later)
• F10: LOL (Laughing out loud)
• F11: THX (Thanks)
• F12: TTYL (Talk to you later)

The Fast Finger Keyboard is an interesting concept. I don’t think I’d ever buy one though. It seems like it’d be easier for kids to learn on a standard keyboard, since that’s what they’ll be using their whole lives.

Image Source: Fast Finger Keyboards

Read [Kotaku] Site [Fast Finger Keyboards]